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.

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Play Modes

Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 69,122 reviews

story2,848 positive mentions

stability4,296 negative mentions

story
14,482 mentions
20 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The story in Fallout 76 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its lack of depth and coherence compared to previous titles in the series. While the addition of NPCs and quests in updates like Wastelanders has improved the narrative experience, many quests still feel like repetitive fetch tasks with minimal impact on the overall story. Players often express frustration over the game's quest-sharing mechanics, which require each player to complete missions individually, detracting from the cooperative experience. Overall, while there are engaging moments and some interesting side quests, the main storyline is often described as dull and unmemorable.
- “The addition of NPCs and dynamic quests in recent updates has further enriched the storytelling, providing a more traditional Fallout experience.”
- “The quests in Fallout 76 are diverse, ranging from humorous side quests to serious main storylines.”
- “The introduction of NPCs in the Wastelanders update breathed life into the world, adding depth to the storytelling and giving life to previously empty areas.”
- “The story is also incredibly hard to follow if not even existent.”
- “The main quest is thrilling and there are tons of npcs (human and robots and 'other') for the world to feel alive.”
- “The quests are flat, the combat is one dimensional, the setting is unrealistic even by the standard of a fallout game.”
gameplay
4,606 mentions
22 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Fallout 76 has evolved significantly since its rocky launch, with many players noting improvements in mechanics, stability, and content. While it retains the core gameplay loop familiar to Fallout 4—exploration, combat, and crafting—many find the experience marred by bugs, grindy mechanics, and a monetization model that locks essential features behind a subscription. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable cooperative gameplay and frustrating design choices, making it a polarizing experience for both new and returning players.
- “The survival mechanics and crafting system are solid, and the map is stunning, with plenty of nooks and crannies to uncover.”
- “The gameplay is phenomenal, there is a lot of detailed lore happening everywhere and this complements the adventure, the exploration of the world.”
- “The gameplay loop is very fun, the story is just sort of there.”
- “What could be a good game is ruined by poor monetization, with the fact you buy a demo game and have to pay a monthly subscription to get the most out of the game. What could be a good game is hindered by it being too easy with no access to modding or expansion onto itself. There is one game mode designed for co-op gameplay in a large massive map that only has 25 people on it, if that!”
- “Gameplay-wise, this feels pointless and lackluster.”
- “The gameplay loop quickly becomes a daily chore.”
stability
4,409 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
Overall, "Fallout 76" continues to be plagued by bugs and glitches, even years after its initial release. While many players acknowledge improvements since launch, including the addition of NPCs and content updates, the game still suffers from frequent crashes, server issues, and various gameplay bugs that can disrupt the experience. Despite these ongoing stability issues, some players find enjoyment in the game, particularly when playing with friends, and appreciate the quirky charm that comes with its glitches.
- “After numerous updates, it's actually fun now and not that buggy.”
- “The game runs great and the graphics are first rate.”
- “It's not pay to win, it is not buggy, and very friendly to new players.”
- “Game glitches out too often at critical moments.”
- “This game is absolute garbage; it is extremely buggy. I can’t even finish quests because they are bugged where the NPCs don’t interact to finish the quests and enemies glitch through the walls and buildings. This game has been out for 6+ years and it’s just as bad, if not worse, than when it was released.”
- “The game is still a buggy mess after the wastelanders update.”
graphics
2,593 mentions
26 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics of Fallout 76 have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are largely similar to those of Fallout 4, often describing them as outdated or lacking in detail. While some appreciate the vibrant environments and improved lighting effects, others criticize the game for graphical glitches, poor optimization, and a general lack of polish, leading to performance issues even on high-end systems. Overall, while the visuals can be appealing at times, they often fall short of modern gaming standards, leaving many players disappointed.
- “The graphics are great, the little sounds throughout the game are amusing.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, as they say it's one of the 'nicest' online communities in all of online gaming.”
- “The graphics are stunning, with detailed landscapes, atmospheric lighting, and immersive weather effects that bring the post-apocalyptic world to life.”
- “Game was locked to 48 fps, and the default graphics settings made everything a nauseating blurry nightmare (just completely disable depth of field, jfc).”
- “The graphics are blurry as hell, even with my 4090.”
- “The graphics are worse than Fallout 4, which preceded it, and gameplay can be frustratingly twitchy.”
grinding
2,187 mentions
0 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of Fallout 76 has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive. While some appreciate the grind as a means to engage with the game's mechanics and earn rewards, others criticize it for feeling like a chore, especially in the late game where the focus shifts to farming for resources and legendary gear. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for those who embrace grinding, but it can become monotonous and frustrating for players seeking a more streamlined 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.”
- “Nothing you do in the game will ever matter, and the online players are just grinding the same boring dailies over and over.”
- “The game does not respect your time, being so full of artificial time-wasting mechanics that the majority of your playtime, even late game, will be spent grinding.”
- “The quests are tedious and the dialogue feels like it was written by a ten-year-old.”
optimization
1,886 mentions
10 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
42 % negative mentions
The optimization of Fallout 76 remains a significant concern for players, with many reporting persistent performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and lag, even on high-end systems. While some improvements have been noted since launch, such as better stability and fewer bugs, the game is still criticized for its outdated engine and lack of proper optimization, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Overall, players express a desire for further enhancements to performance and stability to fully enjoy the game.
- “The developers have also worked on improving performance and stability, making the game much more polished than at launch.”
- “Despite all the bugs and terrible performance you can still have fun with the game.”
- “The performance has seen a decent improvement but frame rates still drop sometimes.”
- “It's been 6 years yet this game still has performance issues even with the bare minimum in settings and the story is a complete mess.”
- “My issues with the game is the amount of stuttering/bugs and fps drops even on a decent rig.”
- “The performance issues, the clunky controls which feel like you're emulating a controller with m+kb, the lag that forces you into a slower style of play, it all adds up to just an awful experience all around.”
monetization
1,495 mentions
5 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
41 % negative mentions
The monetization in Fallout 76 has been widely criticized as aggressive and exploitative, with many players feeling that the game is a blatant cash grab. While some microtransactions are cosmetic and can be earned through gameplay, others, such as repair kits and inventory expansions, are seen as essential for a smoother experience, leading to accusations of pay-to-win mechanics. Overall, the presence of numerous microtransactions, a subscription model, and constant advertisements for in-game purchases have significantly detracted from the game's enjoyment and integrity.
- “Cosmetics are good, crafting is good, base building is the best in the series (though that doesn't say much), free DLC is good, and the microtransactions in this game are so negligible it's insane; everything I have ever bought in this game can be traced back to doing quests/challenges and getting free atoms for it.”
- “Despite its microtransactions, it's refreshing that you can earn plenty of in-game currency through gameplay.”
- “The microtransactions are minimal and you can definitely get all the legitimately useful items from the atom shop as well as all you need for a quirky fun camp with just the free atoms they give you through challenges and seasons.”
- “The blatant monetization, however, is the much bigger turnoff.”
- “This game has become a cash grab and nothing more at this point.”
- “The monetization... oh boy remember when I said this was Destiny but in a Fallout theme... yup this is it, it is a true pay-to-play game that you have to pay absurd amounts of money to get features that should not need to be bought like storage space and plans.”
humor
728 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in Fallout 76 is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the dark, ironic, and absurd elements typical of the series, alongside the charm of funny glitches and bugs that often lead to hilarious moments. While some quests and NPC interactions provide genuine laughs, others feel lackluster compared to previous titles, leading to a sentiment that the humor has been diluted. Overall, the game is seen as entertaining, especially when played with friends, as the shared experiences of both the game's quirks and its comedic writing contribute to a fun atmosphere.
- “It's also part of what makes the game so entertaining and hilarious to play, and dare I say what gives the game its charm.”
- “The mutations system is hilarious fun.”
- “The quests in Fallout 76 are diverse, ranging from humorous side quests to serious main storylines.”
- “This is not an RPG game or Fallout, just some profanation and an unfunny joke.”
- “The story missions are uninspired, unfunny, boring, and repetitive.”
- “But Jesus Christ, the radio host is so lame; most of the NPCs' voice lines are unbearably unfunny.”
music
657 mentions
39 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in Fallout 76 has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the nostalgic soundtrack and atmospheric ambient music that enhances the game's exploration experience. However, some users express frustration over the limited selection of songs on the radio, which can lead to repetitiveness, and the use of cover versions of classic tracks. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance, there is a strong desire for a broader variety of tracks to keep the experience fresh.
- “The soundtrack is amazing and pretty relaxing.”
- “The classic tunes and charming DJ chatter are the perfect soundtrack for my wasteland wanderings.”
- “The music is adaptive and the ambient sounds are clear and realistic.”
- “The radio host is terrible and always goes on a humble rambling about morals and other lame stuff at the end of every song with severe vocal fry; also, the radio station only plays like 3 random songs on repeat 80% of the time.”
- “I was constantly forced to stop what I was doing to change the radio station to the only other music radio station, the classical station, because the jazz channel would loop through the same annoying songs constantly.”
- “The music is about what you'd expect from a Fallout game, some random wasteland survivor playing songs from the 90s and earlier; the song choice is nice, but it is charming to see Bethesda hasn't lost their touch for finding good old music.”
atmosphere
433 mentions
48 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Fallout 76 is widely praised for its stunning visuals, detailed environments, and immersive sound design, effectively capturing the essence of a post-apocalyptic world. Many players appreciate the game's rich lore and environmental storytelling, which enhance the overall experience, although some feel that the introduction of NPCs has altered the originally lonely atmosphere. Overall, while opinions vary on the game's execution, the atmospheric elements remain a significant draw for fans of the Fallout franchise.
- “The atmosphere, bolstered by an eerie soundtrack, often makes the world feel alive despite its desolation.”
- “The lush landscapes and ruined structures captured the post-apocalyptic atmosphere that Fallout is known for.”
- “The atmosphere is tremendous, you truly feel as if you're living in a post-apocalyptic world.”
- “Unfortunately, I felt let down by Bethesda due to the yawningly empty atmosphere and the underdeveloped graphic design.”
- “The game has no character and no atmosphere.”
- “The new human NPCs ruin the atmosphere in places, but on the bright side, a bunch can be shot and killed.”
emotional
255 mentions
91 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Fallout 76" is characterized by a strong sense of community and nostalgia, with players frequently highlighting the game's wholesome interactions and supportive player base. While many find the storytelling and quests lacking depth, the heartfelt moments found in environmental storytelling and player interactions create a unique emotional connection, making the experience more enjoyable despite the game's flaws. Overall, the community's kindness and willingness to help newcomers stand out as a significant positive, fostering a sense of belonging in a post-apocalyptic world.
- “The heart-wrenching letters, illustrating lives scarred by strife and a fixation on survival, we can find littering the wastes and the items connected to them.”
- “The Appalachian wasteland became our canvas, and the stories etched upon it—both heartwarming and heartbreaking—kept us coming back for more.”
- “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.”
- “The game is lacking anything you liked about the old Fallouts and replaced it with meaningless quests, a boring story, and repetitive enemies.”
- “You will reach the end of the short and agonizingly boring story, and realize that it completely breaks all previous Fallout lore, despite being a prequel... all for the sake of money.”
- “Questing is very boring; the story is not engaging. MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online or Guild Wars 2 offer a story that is 20 times better and more engaging.”
replayability
219 mentions
29 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Overall, "Fallout 76" has seen significant improvements in replayability since its troubled launch, with many players noting the game's dynamic world, continuous updates, and the introduction of new content that enhances the experience. While some users still find the replay value lacking compared to other titles in the series, many appreciate the flexibility offered by the perk card system and the engaging multiplayer aspects, leading to a generally positive consensus on its replayability. However, opinions vary, with some players feeling that the game can become repetitive and grindy over time.
- “The replay value of Fallout 76 is significant, driven by its dynamic world and the continuous updates that keep the gameplay fresh and intriguing.”
- “The game's vast exploration, endless replayability, and well-designed crafting and economy systems make it a must-play for fans of the series looking for a new take on the wasteland.”
- “With the improvements brought by the Wastelanders update and ongoing support from Bethesda, Fallout 76 offers a decent amount of replayability.”
- “Struggle to keep playing after I've 'finished' it as the replay value for me isn't quite there compared to others, but a good playthrough nonetheless.”
- “Least replay value of all the Fallout games; get to level 300 once and you will be satisfied for a lifetime.”
- “The storylines are forgettable and have no replayability.”
character development
49 mentions
24 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the extensive customization options and engaging storylines, while others criticize the lack of depth and meaningful progression, particularly after reaching higher levels. Players appreciate the ability to tailor their characters and the variety of quests available, but many express disappointment with the simplified skill systems and uninspired character designs. Overall, while there are elements of strong character development, the execution varies significantly, leading to a divided player experience.
- “System allows for extensive character development, letting players tailor their abilities and playstyles.”
- “Such a wonderfully crafted world with highly detailed lore and character development.”
- “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.”