The free next-gen update for Fallout 4 is finally here and we spent some time playing all the “new” that was on offer. The original game launched almost a decade ago back in 2015 so enough time has passed for an update to the visuals and performance. Has enough actually been done to bring Fallout 4 into the modern era? We’ll be breaking down the good, the bad and the ugly about the next-gen update.
Most of our time with Fallout 4‘s next-gen update was spent on the PS5 version. We dabbled a bit in the Xbox Series X upgrade too but most of our impressions here are based on PS5, since that seems to be a pretty popular platform for returning players and newcomers.
The Good
Bethesda Game Studios aimed to introduce a number of stability improvements, higher resolutions, higher frame rates and performance boosts with this update. Starting Fallout 4 again after all this time felt like catching up with an old friend (who once stole your phone to sell for meth). The opening of the game holds up remarkably well, giving players a brief look into society before the bombs fell.
The update makes good on its promise to deliver a far smoother frame rate at higher resolutions. While Bethesda says it targets 60FPS, we couldn’t run extensive tests. However, judging by eye, it’s a lot smoother and absolutely the ideal way to play Fallout 4 today. Higher resolutions also help to soak in some of the great visuals, at least in the environment as character models still look like talking plastic dolls.
Exiting the vault to explore the wasteland of Boston is still a magical moment and I think that’s the key ingredient to many Bethesda games that keeps people coming back. It’s a drug that you can’t really get enough of, despite how bad it is. That’s not to say Fallout 4 is a bad game though. In terms of gameplay, combat and world design, this is definitely the best in the series. If you’re looking for a deeper RPG with a more compelling narrative, Fallout: New Vegas has you covered, but if you came to Fallout 4 for the good gameplay, you’re in the right place.
As far as performance goes, Fallout 4‘s next-gen update does just enough. Over on PC, you now have the option for widescreen support (though we’ve heard some conflicting opinions on that) plus access to a multitude of mods in case the update just wasn’t cutting it. If you’re playing on console, it’s essentially the best way to play the game now. Fallout 4 has its flaws but the good outweighs the bad and we think it’s totally worth playing today, whether you’re a newcomer or returning player.
The Bad
When the next-gen update for The Witcher 3 dropped, CD Projekt Red pretty much released a complete remaster of the game for free. You’re not going to get that with Fallout 4‘s update. Visually, the game was dated back in 2015 and it’s still a sight for sore eyes today. It’s arguably the best-looking Fallout game out of the bunch (even better than the muddy textures of Fallout 76), and features some impressive god rays – sorry, Todd rays – but don’t expect any major differences to the graphical quality of the game.
The story is also a bit divisive. The action set pieces are really entertaining but the story simply lacks the complexity of the older games. Some characters such as Nick Valentine and Piper Wright are great but you’re probably not going to be emotionally invested in the plot or characters much. That’s a shame considering how well-written Fallout 3 was.
The (Still) Ugly
Finally, there’s the technical issues. As much as the next-gen update attempts to fix a lot of performance problems, it does very little to address the plethora of bugs, glitches and crashes that somehow still persist today. I experienced two crashes while playing on PS5, one of which happened literally right after the character creation, forcing me to restart the process. Fallout 4 still has weird bugs like clipping issues and enemies falling through floors, or textures freaking out when you approach them at a speed that the engine can’t handle.
Thankfully, there are mods, even on console, that provide plenty of bug fixes and technical improvements. I can’t stress this enough but I strongly urge players to download these mods. It comes at the cost of trophies and achievements being disabled but it’s going to make the game a lot more stable and playable – again, it’s baffling that Bethesda hasn’t remedied these problems in its almost 10-year old game.
Also, Preston Garvey and the Minutemen are annoying. Let your settlement perish, it’s fine. At least you’ll still have your sanity.
Verdict
Fallout 4‘s next-gen update is going to be the gateway for many newcomers and all things considered, it’s the best place to start, despite what New Vegas fans want you to believe. It’s a fun game almost entirely held up by that good ol’ “Bethesda magic” we’ve come to know, love or loathe. Even if this piques your curiosity to play the other (arguably better) games in the franchise, we can’t think of a better place to begin. Just be warned that the next-gen update doesn’t fix the odd bugs and glitches that you’ll have to put up with.
With the next-gen update finally out on consoles and PC, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about it right here. If you’re just starting your first adventure in Fallout 4, make sure you also read our guide on the best SPECIAL stats to start off with as well as the best starter builds.
