Fallout 76

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"Fallout 76" is an online multiplayer role-playing game set in the post-apocalyptic United States. Players explore a vast open world, complete quests, and build/manage settlements while battling mutated creatures and other players. The game features iconic Fallout series elements, including retro-futuristic technology, intense V.A.T.S combat, and a dark sense of humor.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 35,408 reviews

story1,401 positive mentions

stability2,037 negative mentions

story
6,957 mentions
20 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The story in Fallout 76 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its lack of depth and engaging narrative compared to previous entries in the series. While the game features a variety of quests and some interesting side stories, the main storyline is often described as a series of repetitive fetch quests that fail to captivate players. The addition of NPCs and updates has improved the storytelling experience, but many still feel that the game prioritizes multiplayer mechanics over a cohesive narrative, leading to a disjointed and sometimes frustrating questing experience.
- “The addition of NPCs and dynamic quests in recent updates has further enriched the storytelling, providing a more traditional Fallout experience.”
- “The stories in the quests are very fun and interesting, and they add so much to the Fallout lore.”
- “The game has transformed from a sparse, empty world to one bustling with NPCs, engaging quest lines, and various faction choices.”
- “It has multiple storylines, but unlike its single-player counterparts, it does not concentrate as much on narratives and character development.”
- “The main storyline sucks and is relatively uninteresting.”
- “The story is just terrible, nothing else to say about it.”
gameplay
2,247 mentions
23 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Fallout 76 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it closely resembles Fallout 4 but with added multiplayer elements and survival mechanics. While some appreciate the crafting and base-building features, others criticize the game for its repetitive quests, bugs, and the necessity of a subscription for optimal gameplay experiences. Overall, players who enjoy the core mechanics of Fallout 4 may find enjoyment in Fallout 76, especially when playing with friends, but the game is often seen as lacking depth and polish compared to earlier titles in the series.
- “The gameplay is super fun, especially once you figure out a good build to use.”
- “I love the theme and gameplay of this game; the community is mostly friendly, and the story missions are actually pretty fun and interesting.”
- “The core gameplay feels very similar to Fallout 4, but with better roleplaying options (both in terms of gameplay/build mechanics and dialogue/choices made).”
- “Even at this late date, there are still massive glitches in gameplay, graphics, and lots of bugs.”
- “The gameplay loop gets old very quickly and the entire game is effectively weight/inventory management between shooting trivially easy enemies.”
- “The mechanics feel like you're grinding a manual car into reverse while going 65 down a freeway.”
stability
2,091 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The stability of Fallout 76 remains a contentious topic among players, with many noting that while the game has improved since its rocky launch, it is still plagued by numerous bugs and glitches. Common issues include freezing during startup, quest-related bugs, and various graphical glitches, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these ongoing problems, some players find the game enjoyable and entertaining, particularly when playing with friends, suggesting that the fun can outweigh the frustrations of its instability.
- “Thank you Todd Howard for a perfectly functional and bug-free game.”
- “The game runs great, my PC specs are GTX 1650 Super, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and AMD Ryzen 5; on max settings, getting a perfect 60 FPS with no stutter.”
- “It started off a hot dumpster fire, but got a lot better as time went along; overall it is now an enjoyable game, mostly bug-free.”
- “Almost every time I try to start the game, upon the 'signing in' screen, it just freezes and won't load, and I have to exit out entirely, usually using task manager to do so, and hope it loads the next time, which it usually doesn't.”
- “I cancelled my Fallout 1st, and will no longer play this buggy crap game.”
- “The game is a buggy/glitchy mess.”
graphics
1,296 mentions
28 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The graphics of Fallout 76 have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are similar to or only slightly improved from Fallout 4, often describing them as dated or underwhelming for a 2018 release. While some appreciate the vibrant environments and aesthetic details, others criticize the frequent graphical glitches, poor optimization, and low frame rates, particularly in populated areas. Overall, the visuals are seen as a step back from previous titles in the series, with many players suggesting that mods are necessary to enhance the graphical experience.
- “The graphics are amazing, I was expecting that the wasteland would be way more dead, but the game's graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is amazing, hours of endless fun.”
- “The graphical enhancements since launch have transformed the environment into a vibrant, post-apocalyptic landscape that beckons exploration.”
- “The graphics are good; however, I have played Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas, and Fallout 4, and I have to say that Fallout 76 is by far the worst Fallout game in terms of game mechanics.”
- “This game is 6 years in the making and still bad. I have a 2 thousand dollar PC and I still get 20-30 fps, and the graphics are shockingly horrible, from the shading to the particles that look like plain PDF files flying around.”
- “The graphics are worse than Fallout 4, which preceded it, and gameplay can be frustratingly twitchy. I'm using a 4080 graphics card, 96 GB RAM, M.2 drives, and a Core i9 13th gen.”
- “The graphics are so terrifyingly bad I couldn't get past 30 minutes; it hurts to watch.”
grinding
1,053 mentions
1 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of Fallout 76 is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some enjoy the grind for resources, gear, and crafting materials, others find it repetitive and frustrating, especially in the late game where the focus shifts to daily quests and resource farming. Overall, the game is characterized by a heavy emphasis on grinding, which can be enjoyable for those who appreciate that style of gameplay, but may deter players seeking a more narrative-driven experience.
- “There is a grind, of course, to get to level 50 and get those legendary items and build items with cores, but it's not tedious.”
- “Its not too grindy, and progression feels on-par with other Fallout games.”
- “Overall it's a fun loop if you're into Fallout, not too grindy and it looks pretty good.”
- “This has been such a massive setback and a spit in my face since I have been grinding for this for already a month.”
- “They deleted weapons that they added after people farmed hard for them and got nothing in return for their hard farming.”
- “The game is very grindy once you reach level 20; you can continue the story line and factions will open up to you, so this game becomes much better past level 20.”
optimization
794 mentions
11 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
41 % negative mentions
The optimization of Fallout 76 has been widely criticized, with players reporting persistent performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and server lag, even on high-end systems. Many users have noted that the game feels poorly optimized compared to its predecessor, Fallout 4, and often requires manual tweaks to configuration files to achieve acceptable performance. Despite some improvements over time, the game's optimization remains a significant barrier to enjoyment for many players.
- “Despite the many improvements, Fallout 76 is still bug-ridden and struggles with optimization issues. If you are a stickler for these things, this will be a very difficult game to find any enjoyment out of.”
- “The game has been improving over the years but it got less optimized over time as well... what used to be 60 fps is now 30-45 fps ever since early December.”
- “The performance has skyrocketed, no texture issues, not much of anything to be honest, it's all in all become a pretty damn good game to play with friends.”
- “The performance leaves a lot to be desired and graphics are somehow worse than Fallout 4, though the environments and map design are well made.”
- “The game still felt extremely unoptimized with hard stutters and constant frame drops.”
- “This game is still an unoptimized, buggy mess.”
monetization
572 mentions
3 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The monetization in Fallout 76 has been widely criticized as aggressive and predatory, featuring a plethora of microtransactions and a subscription service that many players feel are unnecessary for enjoying the game. While most in-game purchases are cosmetic and can be earned through gameplay, the presence of paywalls and the constant push for spending money detracts from the overall experience, leading many to label it a cash grab. Despite these concerns, some players appreciate that the game can still be enjoyed without spending additional money, though the monetization strategies remain a significant point of contention.
- “Despite its microtransactions, it's refreshing that you can earn plenty of in-game currency through gameplay.”
- “The microtransactions are almost entirely for cosmetics, and you can earn that currency by playing the game anyway, so unless there's something specific and time-limited that you want, money isn't really necessary.”
- “There's an optional monthly subscription service as well as an in-game shop full of microtransactions, but neither are necessary to enjoy the game.”
- “Moreover, the game's monetization strategies, which include in-game purchases and microtransactions, have sparked valid concerns about fairness and value.”
- “The massive influx of new players and money from the Fallout TV show has not improved the game at all; instead, it increased the monetization.”
- “The monetization scheme is structured in a way that is essentially having you pay for the game for the privilege of accessing the atom store for blueprints, camp/special slots, time-saving kits, and finally Fallout 1st.”
humor
360 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in Fallout 76 is a mixed bag, with many players finding joy in the game's quirky glitches and absurd scenarios, such as enemies behaving in hilariously nonsensical ways or engaging in dark comedic dialogue. While some lament the absence of the series' traditional humor, others appreciate the game's unique charm and the camaraderie fostered through shared funny moments with friends. Overall, the humor often stems from the game's bugs and the absurdity of its post-apocalyptic setting, making for a lighthearted experience despite its flaws.
- “If you can see past that stuff, it's a great online sandbox Fallout game with exploration, shooting, looting, base building, bugs, hilarious moments, and you can even make moonshine out of the acid from hordes of gulpers while listening to a rollicking jamboree.”
- “We dressed up in waitress uniforms and fumbled around complaining about the map and laughing ourselves half to death for a good 15 minutes; afterwards, my lungs were broken and my throat was hoarse from laughing.”
- “The game can be creepy/surprising/funny/sad/... and not just in its quests/npc.”
- “So many glitches in this game it's not funny.”
- “But Jesus Christ, the radio host is so lame; most of the NPCs' voice lines are unbearably unfunny.”
- “Fallout 76 is a bad game, and the jokes are not funny anymore.”
music
315 mentions
37 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in Fallout 76 has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the nostalgic soundtrack and ambient tracks that enhance the game's atmosphere. While some enjoy the classic tunes and the addition of new songs, others express frustration over the limited selection and repetitive nature of the radio stations. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point of the game, contributing to the immersive experience, though players desire more variety and updates to the music.
- “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing.”
- “The music, especially Appalachia radio, is fantastic.”
- “The music is unbeaten.”
- “The worst in-game music ever!!!!”
- “The music doesn't seem to have a uniting theme and often seems inappropriate to the scene.”
- “I turned the background music off and went first person, and as far as first person type games go, it's a pretty solid.”
atmosphere
204 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Fallout 76 is a mixed bag, with many players praising its stunning landscapes, detailed graphics, and immersive sound design that evoke the classic Fallout vibe. While some appreciate the vibrant and lively world, others feel it lacks the darker, more isolated atmosphere characteristic of earlier titles in the series. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of the Fallout universe, though opinions vary on its execution and depth compared to previous installments.
- “The landscapes are rendered with stunning detail, creating an atmospheric and realistic post-apocalyptic world.”
- “The atmosphere is so captivating, the world looks vibrant and beautiful, yet it still has that uneasy feeling when you look at the remnants of the old world.”
- “The atmosphere and lore put into this game is incredible, especially for those who take the time to read notes throughout the game world.”
- “Game lacks substance, atmosphere, and progression.”
- “Was met with a rude reminder that any redeeming qualities this game once had in its atmosphere and setting that I had come to love are entirely gone.”
- “The atmosphere is just not there.”
emotional
127 mentions
91 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a strong sense of community, with many players highlighting the wholesome and supportive interactions they experience while playing. However, the game's narrative and quests often lack depth and emotional impact, leading to feelings of disappointment for those seeking a more engaging story. Overall, while the community fosters a heartwarming environment, the game itself struggles to evoke significant emotional connections through its gameplay and storytelling.
- “Exploring Appalachia, building a home, developing relationships, and making choices that affected me emotionally cultivated a sense of living within a reality that was decisively worth my time.”
- “Yet it's the human moments I discovered that offered something deeply touching.”
- “The NPCs made me feel comfortable to listen to, and I really love the story in this game so far.”
- “This game is lacking anything you liked about the old Fallouts and replaced it with meaningless quests, a boring story, and repetitive enemies.”
- “Bethesda must have lost some good employees over the years; what a boring storyline and playthrough.”
- “Server lag makes this very unfun, as well as a boring story.”
replayability
98 mentions
31 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the game has improved significantly since its initial release, with many players noting the addition of new content, quests, and events that enhance the experience. While some reviews highlight a lack of immersion and bugs that can detract from replay value, others praise the game for its diverse gameplay loops and community engagement, leading to a generally positive outlook on its replayability. However, opinions vary, with some players feeling that it lacks the depth and replay value of other titles in the series.
- “Endlessly replayable end game with meaningful goals to work towards.”
- “Incredibly fun, lots of replayability.”
- “Replayability is high too, with repeatable quests, daily quests, events, and every 3 months, a scoreboard, similar to other battle pass systems from other games.”
- “Simply put, the lack of immersion combined with the developer's prioritizing money over gameplay make this a standard legacy game with very little replayability.”
- “Least replay value of all the Fallout games; get to level 300 once and you will be satisfied for a lifetime.”
- “It feels like a cash grab banking on the hype and nostalgia of previous players of Fallout, and I don't see the game having any replay value if it continues with the way they're handling the game.”
character development
29 mentions
34 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the engaging storylines, well-acted NPCs, and a variety of quests that enhance character progression. However, many criticize the lack of depth and meaningful customization, particularly due to the removal of traditional skill systems in favor of a more superficial card-based approach. Overall, while there are highlights in character design and voice acting, the inconsistency in character development leaves some players feeling unsatisfied.
- “Such a wonderfully crafted world with highly detailed lore and character development.”
- “The encounters are interesting, unique, and the voice acting and character development are excellent.”
- “The character development, crafting, events, and quest lines are amazing, and at this point, I can say that every day I discover new things to do.”
- “It has multiple storylines, but unlike its single-player counterparts, it does not concentrate as much on narratives and character development.”
- “The complete removal of a traditional skill system in favor of these laughable cards is a disgrace to the franchise and an insult to fans who have come to expect depth and customization in their character development.”
- “The 'cards' character development is so much more shallow than the traditional RPG-style development, and the fact that you can just remove characteristics at any time means that none of them really define who you are in the game.”