Bethesda arranged flights from Chicago to New York City for Ars to participate in the preview event for Fallout 76: Burning Springs. Ars maintains a policy of not accepting paid editorial content.
As a long-time gamer, I hold a few opinions that might be deemed controversial. One such opinion is that Fallout 76 — the multiplayer iteration of Bethesda’s reimagining of the beloved ’90s open-world RPG — has become my favorite online multiplayer game since its release.
Despite my enthusiasm for the game, I have been pleasantly surprised by its evolution over the past seven years. It’s not quite a complete redemption story akin to No Man’s Sky, but it has certainly improved. However, it remains divisive and, in some aspects, lags behind current gaming trends since its debut in 2018.
The recent success of the television series based on the Fallout franchise has brought in a wave of new players, providing developers with a unique opportunity to further enhance the game’s experience. To capitalize on this momentum, Bethesda is set to launch an expansion that directly ties into the TV series for the first time, allowing me a few hours to preview this upcoming content.
It’s important to note that while the TV tie-in garners attention, the core enhancements are far more significant. Improvements in combat mechanics, bug fixes, balance adjustments, quality-of-life features, and technological upgrades have been continually integrated into the game. Ultimately, these incremental updates hold more value for players than the flashier elements.
With that context in mind, let’s delve into an overview based on my extensive experience with the game and recent playtime with the upcoming expansion.
Significant Combat and Balance Revisions
As most players are aware, Fallout 76 initially launched without NPCs or the character-driven quests typically expected from the franchise. These elements were added in 2020, along with further enhancements in subsequent years.
While some might argue that the original vision of a player-driven environment was suitable for a certain audience, it did not resonate with the traditional Fallout fanbase. Bethesda initially envisioned a Rust-like survival experience, but the reality is that PvP elements have become nearly nonexistent, while story-driven quests featuring NPCs abound.
Despite these advancements, discontent lingered among players, particularly regarding combat balance and the limited range of viable builds at the endgame. Over the past year, Bethesda has made considerable strides in addressing these concerns through numerous patches. Online forums like Reddit reveal some user complaints, primarily aimed at the nerfing of overpowered builds and weapons introduced to enhance overall balance.
From my perspective, these changes have led to a more diverse range of play styles and improved gameplay. Additionally, a complete overhaul of the base-building mechanics has greatly enhanced the overall experience, though these enhancements are often difficult to convey through marketing alone—players truly feel the difference in practice.
I won’t delve into every intricate detail, as some readers may not have extensive experience with the game. However, the patch notes offer a wealth of information about the many updates — and they are substantial.
This focus on continual improvement is vital, perhaps even more so than the expansion itself that is being promoted. The overall playability of the game has markedly progressed since even a year ago, which is certainly encouraging.
A Mixed Bag Technically
Turning our attention to the technical aspects, it’s clear that the game has not kept pace with modern standards in several respects. While the asset quality, art direction, and immersive world design stand out, it still falls short in terms of features that contemporary players expect from major multiplayer titles.
Notably, there is no distinct executable for current-generation consoles; instead, users on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 are effectively running the previous-generation versions, albeit with an improved frame rate that has been upgraded from 30 fps to 60 fps.
However, there is positive news on the horizon — developers have indicated that current-gen console versions are in development, although specifics regarding potential upgrades remain undisclosed.
It also raises questions about the game’s compatibility with HDR (high dynamic range) displays, which remains inconsistent. Players using high-end OLED TVs have reported washed-out visuals, compounded by the absence of HDR calibration sliders. This issue has plagued multiple Bethesda titles, including Starfield, which also launched with HDR issues that took nearly a year to address.
Inquiries regarding cross-play and cross-progression capabilities were met without definitive answers from Bethesda developers, despite growing expectations for such features in high-profile games.
Nevertheless, it’s reassuring to see that the company continues to support Fallout 76 through the rollout of modern console updates and ongoing content expansions.
Details on the Upcoming TV Show Tie-In
Regarding major content updates, Bethesda is gearing up to release Burning Springs this December, which marks the second significant map expansion for Fallout 76. This update extends the game’s geographic reach from its original West Virginia settings into the new terrain of Ohio.
The expansion introduces a desert environment, aligning with the upcoming second season of the TV series, which is set in Nevada around New Vegas, thus avoiding an outrageous map expansion out west and instead incorporating thematic elements from the show.
Interestingly, in a lighthearted moment before the gameplay preview event for Burning Springs, my wife suggested that they should include Walton Goggins in the game as a tie-in with the show. Coincidentally, Goggins’ character, known as The Ghoul, will indeed feature in the new region and he lends his voice to the character. Though the game is set long before the series, the unique nature of Ghouls allows for this crossover.
The Ghoul will provide players with repeatable bounty hunter missions, which come in two varieties: one designed for solo play and another set as a public event meant for group participation.
During my preview, I found these missions engaging, even if they didn’t radically alter the established frameworks of Fallout 76’s public events.
Additionally, I spent over two hours freely exploring the game’s take on Ohio. The new desert setting presented familiar sights within the Fallout universe, such as raider-infested areas and derelict neighborhoods. A notable new settlement in this region has a distinct personality compared to existing towns, complete with a vibrant array of NPCs. One public event had players teaming up against a formidable cyborg Deathclaw—certainly a highlight.
Furthermore, a new story questline featuring a highly intelligent Super Mutant, dubbed the Rust King, is expected to accompany the new region; however, I did not have the opportunity to experience this during the demonstration.
Burning Springs doesn’t fundamentally alter the core experience of Fallout 76; rather, it adds a fresh layer to it. Fortunately, as Bethesda has worked diligently to enhance the overall gameplay, this expansion is welcomed. More content means more engagement with Fallout 76, which fans will likely appreciate.
While TV tie-ins may not resolve the issues of a flawed game, they do encourage both new and returning players to revisit a game that has seen significant improvements.
For those who are not fans of looter shooters, survival crafting games, or cooperative multiplayer experiences — a sentiment shared by some Fallout enthusiasts — this expansion will not change your perspective. However, if your prior hesitation stemmed from the game’s execution rather than concept, it may be worthwhile to give it another chance with the upcoming update.
This perspective is perhaps less controversial now than in the past, especially as a seasoned player expressing optimism feels gratifying.