Review: ‘Fallout 4’

War. War never changes. This iconic line has been used to introduce games in the "Fallout" series since the first game was released in 1997. It, along with many other core elements of the series, have been given a new shiny coat of paint in Bethesda Softworks' "Fallout 4", set to release Tuesday for Windows PCs, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The developers have taken the approach of staying true to the roots of the series, but have also looked to other sources for opportunities to expand the core gameplay and create a post-apocalyptic wasteland that players can really get invested in.

A screen from “Fallout 4” a new open-world game for Windows PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Credit: ZeniMax Media Inc.

A huge, explorable open world and rich character interaction have been staples of the series since the beginning. What does "Fallout 4" offer players who have played previous entries in the series and are looking for new reasons to come back? The developers decided to borrow a page from the megahit game "Minecraft" this time around to deepen the player's investment in the social dynamics of the game, and to give them a chance to create a place of their own within the world.

A screen from “Fallout 4” a new open-world game for Windows PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Credit: ZeniMax Media Inc.

Bethesda Softworks has been working on refining their system of creating deep, wide-open worlds with intense gratifying story and myriad ways to approach and interact with the world. They’ve been alternating between the “Fallout” series and their Tolkien-esque fantasy series “The Elder Scrolls” for years, building out the same foundation for both series, then adding and improving new systems with each iteration. The product that they deliver every time is deep, moving, rewarding, addictive, and always promising more adventure over each hill and horizon. “Fallout 4” does not disappoint in this regard. While the building system could use additional work, the core systems all benefit from the developer’s years of mastery to create a smooth, entertaining and exciting game that provides an unbelievable amount of variety and exploration.

"Fallout 4"
Rated M for Mature
$60, for Windows PC, Xbox One and PlayStation4