Get ready to go back to the wasteland

Most role-playing games are set in fantasy worlds, which is why the post-apocalyptic Fallout series is so beloved by fans. But it was when Bethesda took control of the franchise, and moved the action to first-person in Fallout 3, that it really hit with a wider audience. With Fallout 4 the company hopes to further explore its futuristic fiction, build on its systems, and – we hope – correct its technical shortcomings.

Relics of the past

Set in Boston, Fallout 4 begins with America under the threat of nuclear war. The franchise’s signature faux 1950’s suburbia tech is maintained but excitingly, for the first time, you get to experience a few moments of life before the bomb – literally moments.

The sirens begin to wail and you run with your family to Vault 111, just in time to watch the bombs hit as you are lowered beneath the earth. All is not as it seems, however, and upon being asked to step into a cubical to be “sterilized” you’re frozen for 210 years.

During a brief moment of consciousness you watch helplessly as a harrowing scene unfolds. Your partner is murdered and your baby is taken by raiders – instantly establishing the game’s motivation.

Seemingly moments later you awaken in the empty vault. With nothing but a desire for revenge you head out into the world. Exiting Vault 111 the stunning expanse of the open-world stretches out before you, and your journey of discovery begins.

To Fallout 3 veterans the similarities are striking – which, at times, feels like a failing. Bethesda’s open world still manages scale wonderfully, with you able to interact with everyone, accept dozens of quests, and choose how you want to solve every problem presented to you.

But there is a trade-off for this complexity and ambition, much of which manifests in the characters and their AI. Characters regularly look awful and happily block your path, hover in the air, or stand in the most unnatural positions during important dialogues. With so much of the way I play the game revolving around conversation, this hit me particularly hard – though, mercifully, the writing did keep me invested.

You have to look past these initial failings, because what lies beneath is undoubtedly a better, more refined experience that builds on the wonderful world navigation and character building of Fallout 3. 
 

Take the bad with the good

The first thing of note is the presentation and pacing. There is no hanging about, and after creating your character it take less than an hour to start out into the beautifully realized Boston wasteland.

Combat is also notably improved, with gunplay now more reliant on your ability rather than a hidden Perception or Agility stat. This change means that Fallout 4’s fights can play out far more like a satisfying traditional shooter, with your own skills reflected in every shot.

VATs has also been changed to create a faster play experience. This system – which previously allowed you to stop time to target enemies – now just slows the action to a crawl. It is a tiny change, but one that keeps things flowing, while still giving you a little more time to plan attacks.

This accelerated pace is a constant theme. Rather than making you wait half the game to get fun toys like the power armor, it is a fairly early acquisition – although there have been some changes to it. Firstly, the advantages of this heavy duty equipment is not as pronounced, with its use throttled by the need for fusion cells to power it. Also, any armor you find is just a starting point as you can customize it with scraps and items you scavenge. This leads to some down and dirty – but kind of awesome – builds, with metal grills and plates welded on to add defense, or lead lining to provide protection from radiation.

Finding these upgrade elements and items is mercifully more streamlined than in other Bethesda titles. Stumbling upon a storage chest or table, you will be met by a helpful pop-up that stops you having to trawl through menus just to see if you want what is contained within. You can also easily break them down into useful parts, use them to craft, and check them for any interesting buffs they can provide. All that said, if you collect everything you find, managing your inventory can become a chore as you navigate the multi-layer interface.

Customization is not limited to weapons and armor, Fallout 4 also adds settlements. These bases provide a place for you to store your items, and to send any friendly survivors you discover in the wasteland. At some point this feels like an end unto itself, as the benefits of upgrading these areas – and defending them from raider attacks – only seem to aid further construction rather than any substantive gameplay advantage. But it does at least mean that you can find some use for everything you collect. 

New Vegas-themed Content

The upcoming next-gen update for Fallout 4 is rumored to include Fallout: New Vegas-themed content. Bethesda’s recent addition of a “newvegas2” repository to the Steam version of Fallout 4 suggests that the company plans to introduce a Creation Club section dedicated to New Vegas-themed mods. While this does not necessarily mean a full-fledged sequel to Fallout: New Vegas, it does show that Bethesda acknowledges the game’s cult following and is working to incorporate its elements into the updated Fallout 4 experience.

Enhanced Performance and Bug Fixes

Bethesda has announced that the next-gen update for Fallout 4 will offer a performance mode for players who prioritize higher frame rates over improved texture resolution. This is great news for those who want a smoother gaming experience without sacrificing too much visual quality. In addition, Bethesda is addressing a number of bugs, further improving the overall gameplay and user experience.

Expanded Creation Club Content

The next-gen update will also bring bonus Creation Club content in the form of additional third-party mods. Expanding the Creation Club support will give players more opportunities to customize their gameplay and enhance their experience in the Fallout 4 universe. With Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim being the only two Bethesda games to have introduced Creation Club support so far, this update demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to the platform.

A Glimpse into Bethesda’s Future Plans

Although a full-fledged sequel to Fallout: New Vegas is unlikely in the near future, this next-gen update provides insight into Bethesda’s plans for its beloved franchise. Fans can expect the developer’s focus to be on Starfield, followed by The Elder Scrolls 6 and eventually, Fallout 5. As development cycles grow longer, the Fallout series might have to wait a bit more for a new mainline game, but the next-gen update should help tide fans over in the meantime.

Adobe Camera Raw Features and Capabilities

Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) has evolved into a powerful photo editing tool with features that overlap with Photoshop and Lightroom. ACR offers local hue adjustments, Subject Select and masking tools, and the ability to have multiple adjustment panels open at once. It also includes the Upright tool for geometry correction, and Camera Raw Profiles for different image conversion options.

Presets and Super Resolution in ACR

ACR now comes with over 100 presets developed by professional photographers, as well as the Super Resolution feature, which uses AI to double the resolution of an image. Photoshop has also made strides in mobile design, offering Artboards, Shared Libraries, and Cloud Documents to streamline the design process.

Adobe Stock Integration and Font Features

Adobe Stock integration allows users to access a vast collection of assets, while font features like Match Font and Glyphs panel enhance text design. Photoshop also offers tools for artists and designers, including the Preserve Details resample setting for upsampling images and Smart Objects for non-destructive editing.

Behance Integration and Video Editing in Photoshop

Behance integration allows users to showcase their work and connect with other creative professionals. Finally, video editing in Photoshop offers basic features like clip adjustments, transitions, and exporting options in various formats and resolutions. Overall, Photoshop continues to expand and improve its offerings for photographers, designers, and artists alike.

Wait for the dust to settle

Fallout 4 does not correct all the problems of its predecessor, with the same technical flaws dogging your every step. But it doesn’t feel like Bethesda doesn’t care, it feels like it had greater aspirations. Instead of focusing on correcting some minor – often endearing – problems, it has instead spent its time working a larger, more fleshed out, and complex world.

It’s a fair trade-off, because Fallout 4 is a brilliant RPG and a worthy successor to the franchise name.