My biggest 2015 gaming disappointment: Fallout 4

My second most anticipated title of 2015 was Fallout 4 (#1 was the Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward expansion). Announced in early June for a surprisingly quick release date just a few months later, Fallout 4 was supposed to be this grand sequel to some of the greatest games of the last 10 years, a triumphant return to the post-apocalyptic world re-imagined in Bethesda’s 2008 epic Fallout 3. Just one problem: its not as good as 3.

Boring world

Boston as depicted in 4 is a large city surrounded by suburbs, fields, farms, military bases, and more (heck, there’s even a pretty neat plane crash somewhere in the northern areas). But, nothing about it is interesting; you go around, shoot stuff, explore, shoot more stuff, and repeat. Nothing seems to tie together, so you end up with a series of little vignettes. While interesting, I was hoping for something a lot more cohesive.

Lack of choice

This is the big one. Kotaku ran an article a few days ago, “Guy Beats Fallout 4 Without Killing Anyone, Nearly Breaks the Game” that summarizes this a lot better than I can. Basically, your only option is to kill things (or to try and work around the game and have other people kill things for you). From the article:

“I’m a little disappointed in the lack of diplomatic solutions in this game, it’s a lonely departure from the rest of the Fallout series. My version of pacifism isn’t really diplomatic, it’s more exploitative of the game mechanics to achieve a zero-kill record.”

The options for diplomacy-based characters who used their charisma to wile their way across the wastelands is gone. The game is now just a shooter with very light RPG elements.

Poor graphics compared to other AAA titles

Its Fallout: New Vegas, but in Boston, with slightly nicer graphics. Doesn’t hold a candle to games like The Witcher 3, definitely disappointing for a 2015 flagship title. At least the character faces aren’t as terrifying as Elder Scrolls: Oblivion:

Anyways…

My expectations were likely too high; Skyrim, while an amazing game, is definitely a lighter experience than Morrowind. The sales figures show that most gamers are happy with the direction Bethesda is taking with their flagship titles, but it does make gamers who grew up in the ‘90s feel a little left behind. At least we have games like Pillars of Eternity to keep us satisfied…