New ‘Fallout 4’ Gameplay Details Will Give You Life

Let’s be honest, Fallout 4 is going to be great. Gamers everywhere can’t wait for it to be released, as shown by the huge number of people who have downloaded the accompanying Fallout Shelter mobile game or have helped buy out the Pip-Boy accessory. I already discussed some details about Fallout 4 after it was announced at E3, but it’s been a while since then, and the news keeps coming. So without further ado, here’s an in-depth look at what the Fallout 4 experience will be like.

So Much to Do, So Much Time

Fallout 4 is set in Boston, which should prove to be a big change from the brown, dusty, empty waste of New Vegas. The player character is the only survivor of Vault 111, which begs the question, “What happened to the wife and kid he entered the vault with?” (I say “he,” but for the record, the player character can be a man or woman). Have no fear, though, for Fallout 3‘s canine companion Dogmeat has returned, and it cannot be killed (more on this later)!

The world of Fallout 4 runs on an updated version of Skyrim‘s Creation Engine, so it’ll be big and beautiful. Perhaps one of the most satisfying things about gameplay is that, despite its “new and improved” nature, a lot of it is quite similar to the previous Fallouts. What’s more, the fun can go on and on, because the game doesn’t end with the main questline as it has before, and there is no leveling cap.

Customization Galore!

This game is more like Skyrim than any other Bethesda game in terms of customized play options. Players will have the ability to construct their own home bases, and can have more than one. Like in previous Fallout games, players can collect scrap to use for crafting and repairing, but the possibilities have been expanded. Using the things around them, players can construct their own weapons, accessories, settlements, and decorations.

The guns will be awesome. The game includes 50 base types with over 700 modding options. No longer will the player be limited by his or her arsenal. Mods are also swappable and are now craftable. This will undoubtedly lead to some fascinating weapon customization, which also means that players will likely be able to craft their “perfect gun.” The ever-overpowered V.A.T.S. fighting system has been improved and now slows down the battle instead of pausing it completely, sort of like a “reaction time” ability. And speaking of fighting, players will be able to obtain and modify their own suit of power armor, becoming a sort of post-apocalyptic Iron Man (PC modders, keep this in mind).

Settlement creation is a new addition to Fallout 4. Using the stuff around them, player characters can construct their own houses and communities. In addition to building settlements, players can (and will have to) defend them against invasion, keep them supplied using caravans, and recruit settlers to live in them. The player will have free reign of home base construction, as well, rather than having specific schematic details like in Skyrim‘s Hearthfire DLC. Much of the construction and crafting, from settlement building to gun modification, will be done in the workshop mode, which has been designed to be a fun, immersive experience.

As for companions, perhaps the most important character will be Dogmeat the German Shepherd. It is unkillable, making it a potentially powerful ally. Players can get it to attack enemies, fetch things, and search for valuable loot. “Talking” options are also available, and the dog seems to have something of a personality (down to the adorable head-tilt). Twelve other companions are available, as well, but only one can travel with the player character at a time. Interacting with these companions will give the player character an opportunity for romance.

Stats are still determined by S.P.E.C.I.A.L. and fine-tuned by perks (which have been combined with “skills”). The iconic Pip-Boy will return (of course) as the way to access player options, and can even be used to play fun little mini-games. As I mentioned earlier, there will be no limit to player leveling, so you can take your time and build a character that you’ll love.

Get Pumped!

While I can’t tell you that the Pip-Boy Edition will be available for purchase again, I can tell you that this most recent offering from Bethesda is going to be epic. And while you wait for November 10 to come, download and play the mobile game Fallout Shelter on your iPhone. A compatible version of this mobile game will be coming out for Android phones on August 13. So suit up, gear up, and get ready for Fallout 4 to be released!