I've always really liked the Fallout
game universe, and even platinumed (earned all trophies for) Fallout
3, when it was released in 2008. The post-apocalyptic setting and the
survivalist style of gameplay really drew me into the world, along
with the 1950's style of scifi. In Fallout 76—which takes place in
beautiful West Virginia (there's a lot more color in this Fallout
game!), the same survivalist feeling returns, but in my opinion, it's
even better. No longer are NPC's standing around in certain areas,
ready to give you quests and pre-programmed responses to your
questions. Instead, the story is told through what you uncover on
your own. Handwritten notes, holotapes, robots, and computer
terminals now deliver your quests, and they do so in a fashion that
feels like they were left behind long after the bombs fell...until
you came along and discovered them. The unrealistic situation in
other games where NPC's wait around to give their quests to you is
entirely circumvented by the design in Fallout 76, and for me, it
created more realism and immersion. I felt like I was discovering
these quests myself, rather than being given them by NPC's that had
decided I was their designated hero. This design decision also made
me feel more alone—without NPC's around to chat with, I truly felt
like I was one of the last few survivors of the apocalypse. Even the
friendliness of some of the robots I encountered felt hollow and
insincere, for I knew that they were only programmed to interact that
way with anyone that came along. The feeling of loneliness was
amplified in Fallout 76, and I loved it!
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