After nearly ten years since its initial release, Bethesda has brought Fallout 4 to the PS5, offering enhanced technical performance that one would anticipate from a leap to a new generation. Does the open-world RPG still hold up in 2024?

Answering that question is quite challenging, I must say. While opinions may vary, it’s worth noting that Fallout 4 has its fair share of critics. However, one cannot deny the allure of its captivating gameplay loop, which keeps players hooked with its constant exploration, mutant battles, and character progression. The loop in question has undoubtedly stood the test of time, and Fallout 4 continues to captivate players with its addictive character development mechanics. From acquiring loot to distributing perk points, the game offers a truly engaging experience.

Fallout 4’s post-apocalyptic Boston is yet another example of Bethesda’s talent for creating immersive worlds that captivate and divert your attention from your intended path. This map is incredibly dense, providing adventure at every corner. This open world is incredibly immersive, captivating players for hours on end. The various character progression systems add depth and complexity to the experience.

 

However, this is where the game begins to show some weaknesses, especially when compared to more contemporary standards. Technical limitations that were already dubious when Fallout 4’s release in 2015 hinder the gameplay experience. It’s quite disappointing to encounter a loading screen every time you enter or exit an interior location, which feels incredibly outdated, even with the significantly improved load times of the PS5 version.

Additionally, comparable restrictions limit the game’s overall scope. Now, it’s clear that one wouldn’t anticipate a radiation-soaked wasteland to be bustling with life, but Boston can’t help but come across as lacking ambition. As you journey through different locations, you’ll notice a noticeable lack of action. Even well-known settlements such as Diamond City and Goodneighbor, which are supposed to be bustling hubs of activity and trade, feel disappointingly empty with a population of only around 30 NPCs.

This illusion may have been somewhat passable back in 2015, but after almost a decade, it’s clear that the game’s outdated engine is to blame for many of its glaring flaws. It’s undeniable that some aspects of Fallout 4’s design haven’t aged well, especially considering how much the open-world genre has evolved in the past decade. While it’s not fair to expect a complete remake in the 2024 re-release, there are certain aspects that could have been improved upon.

Fallout 4 undeniably possesses an alluring atmosphere, capturing that eerie sense of wonder that has become synonymous with the series. There is a unique experience in scaling the remnants of a decrepit skyscraper and surveying the desolate landscape, immersing oneself in the inherent solitude while the game’s subtly captivating music softly plays in the distance.

When it comes to immersion, let’s delve into Fallout 4’s take on role-playing. Upon its release, numerous dedicated Fallout fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the game’s decision to introduce a fully voiced protagonist, along with the limited dialogue choices that accompanied this change. Truly, the absence of morally ambiguous decisions in this game is quite noticeable, especially when comparing it to titles such as Fallout: New Vegas or even Fallout 3. The side quests often guide you towards two predictable options, where you can either embody a beacon of hope or a deranged maniac, and the latter option never truly feels authentic, given the protagonist’s predetermined, almost heroic role in the story.

Emerging from a two-century cryogenic sleep, the protagonist must navigate the treacherous landscape of post-apocalyptic America to save their kidnapped infant son, who was taken from the very same cryogenic facility. In this particular situation, deviating from the main questline may not contribute to the overall narrative coherence. However, it must be acknowledged that the story presents significant opportunities for making impactful decisions that can greatly influence the game world, especially when aligning oneself with pivotal factions.

Once again, it’s worth noting that there is limited opportunity to delve into your character’s personality and motivations in Fallout 4. As a result, the game can be seen as a regression compared to its predecessors. Furthermore, the side quests tend to be quite forgettable. The main plot of Fallout 3 had its fair share of issues, but it managed to find balance by incorporating some wild and unpredictable misadventures. The sequel, on the other hand, lacks personality, featuring one-dimensional characters and unremarkable dialogue. It heavily relies on self-referential storytelling, which can be immersion-breaking.

If you’re interested in seeing faction plotlines come to a conclusion, you’ll have to go through a plethora of ‘radiant’ filler quests. These are the types of games that provide little context and simply place a procedurally generated objective marker on your map, instructing you to “go here, do something.” While the prospect of embarking on an adventure and uncovering hidden treasures is certainly enticing, the overall experience feels somewhat lacking in depth and emotion. It’s hard to ignore the excessive filler content that hinders your progress towards important narrative milestones.

However, it is worth mentioning that the gameplay loop of Fallout 4 is incredibly captivating, and combat plays a vital role in this experience. While it may not boast the most polished shooting mechanics compared to other games on the market, it undeniably stands out as the most enjoyable Fallout installment to date. The action in the game is filled with a satisfying and almost comical bloodlust. Whether you’re sniping super mutants with precision or hacking raiders to bits with modified chainsaws, the result is a spectacle of skulls popping and limbs flying.

The standout feature of the game is undoubtedly V.A.T.S., which grants you the power to manipulate time and execute visually stunning attacks on specific body parts. Even after nearly ten years, there is still no other system quite like it. The version of V.A.T.S. in Fallout 4 truly stands out, offering moments of pure chaos and excitement. Experiencing the exhilarating thrill of a deathclaw’s head exploding mere moments before its talons make contact with your face; being rendered speechless as a mini nuke hurtles directly towards you; obliterating grotesquely mutated wildlife with your beloved energy weapon, all captured in flawless slow motion. This is an exceptional experience.

Regrettably, not everything that Fallout 4 does is met with universal acclaim. Despite being largely overlooked, the game’s settlement system continues to be a topic of heated debate. During your adventure, you’ll stumble upon small communities that you can nurture by collecting various items and utilizing specific materials to construct a wide range of structures. These include essential defenses like walls and gates, as well as intricate computer networks and ingenious mechanical contraptions.

The system itself is undeniably impressive, providing an immense amount of depth for players who truly want to immerse themselves in the experience. If you’re looking for a classic Fallout experience, settlements might come across as unnecessary baggage, adding unnecessary weight to an already content-packed game that can sometimes feel like busywork. It’s quite frustrating how settlements don’t immediately prove their value. The initial phase involves the monotonous task of collecting a vast amount of resources, and that’s just for the basic needs such as shelter, food, and water.

While certain aspects of Fallout 4 may not have stood the test of time, it’s worth noting that the PS5 port does indeed deliver on its commitment to enhancing the game’s technical performance. The game’s performance mode, running at 60 frames per second, is impressively smooth overall, with only occasional minor hitches lasting for a fraction of a second in crowded areas. The smooth frame rate greatly enhances the gunplay, which can sometimes feel a bit twitchy. Additionally, the dynamic 4K resolution significantly improves the overall visual experience, making everything look better than ever.

From an artistic standpoint, this video game can be visually unappealing. It’s safe to say that the visuals were less than impressive back in 2015, and unfortunately, they haven’t aged well. The human character models leave much to be desired, with their lackluster facial features and lifeless expressions. The lip-syncing and facial animations are particularly disappointing.

In summary

The core gameplay loop of Fallout 4 remains strong, despite the fact that the surrounding adventure is starting to show its age, nearly ten years after its initial release. The addition of a smooth 60-fps performance mode will surely please many returning players. Roaming through post-apocalyptic Boston can still provide some enjoyment, especially with the reliable V.A.T.S. system at your disposal. However, it is undeniable that open-world games have made significant progress since the release of Fallout 4, which some may argue already felt outdated even at its launch in 2015.

Pros:

• The open-world design is both dense and engaging
• Engaging progression systems that keep you hooked
• V.A.T.S. continues to impress
• The performance on PS5 is impressively smooth
• Significantly decreased loading times
• Several poignant narrative moments
• The soundtrack creates a captivating atmosphere

Cons:

• Shows signs of significant deterioration in various aspects
• Unremarkable side quests and forgettable characters
• Lacking depth in the realm of role-playing
• An abundance of mundane tasks
• The character models are visually unappealing

Good 7/10