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CRITIK

Fallout 76

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Fallout 76
Item: Fallout 76
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2018

GenresAdventure, Action, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Open World, RPG, Multiplayer, First Person Perspective

AvailableNov 14, 2018

PlatformPlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

DeveloperBethesda Game Studios

Overview

Bethesda Game Studios welcome you to Fallout 76. Twenty-five years after the bombs fall you and your fellow Vault Dwellers, chosen from the nation’s best and brightest, emerge into post-nuclear America on Reclamation Day, 2102. Play solo or join together as you explore, quest, build, and triumph against the wasteland’s greatest threats. Explore a vast wasteland, devastated by nuclear war, in this open-world multiplayer addition to the Fallout story. Experience the largest, most dynamic world ever created in the legendary Fallout universe.

Elsewhere

4.4

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

44%

Negative (0-49)

48%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Fallout 76 are quite varied. Some critics, such as Game Rant and Gameplanet, appreciate the exploration aspect of the game and the opportunity to uncover the stories of the survivors through their notes and holotapes. This adds depth and interest to the overall experience. Additionally, MMORPG.com highlights the journey of the Vault 76's Overseer and the efforts of The Responders, which adds a sense of purpose to the narrative. However, the majority of critics express dissatisfaction with the story of Fallout 76. Many critics, including GamingTrend, Variety, Xbox Achievements, and Cheat Code Central, criticize the lack of a cohesive narrative and the absence of human NPCs. The reliance on audio logs, written notes, and holotapes as the main storytelling devices is seen as repetitive and uninspiring. The lack of emotional investment and personal connection to the quests is also a common complaint, as mentioned by CGMagazine and Hardcore Gamer. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Fallout 76 is lacking in depth, emotional drive, and engaging plotlines. The absence of living characters and NPCs makes the world feel empty and the narrative inconsequential, as stated by Guardian and Telegraph. The disjointed nature of the narrative, with disconnected audio diaries and recordings, further contributes to the overall disappointment. While there are some positive aspects, such as the exploration and uncovering of survivor stories, the negative feedback outweighs the positives. Critics like Game Over Online and Hooked Gamers describe the main story as thin and lacking, while The Digital Fix labels it as half-assed and disappointing. Ultimately, the general sentiment is that the story of Fallout 76 fails to meet the expectations set by its predecessors and leaves players wanting more depth and engagement.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed opinions on Fallout 76's story. Some praise the exploration and survivor stories, but many criticize the lack of a cohesive narrative and human NPCs. The reliance on audio logs and notes is seen as repetitive, leading to a lack of emotional investment in quests. Overall, critics find the story lacking depth and engagement, with the absence of living characters making the world feel empty. While some appreciate aspects like survivor stories, the general consensus is that Fallout 76's story falls short of expectations set by previous games, leaving players wanting more.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

21%

Mixed (50-79)

55%

Negative (0-49)

24%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Fallout 76 are varied. Several critics highlight positive aspects of the gameplay. GamingTrend and Cheat Code Central appreciate the returning features from previous Fallout games, such as the Pip Boy menu, attributes system, V.A.T.S. combat assistant, settlement building, and the card-based perk system, which allows for more customization. Press Start Australia and GameSpace mention enjoying the gameplay and the ability to play with friends. Gamers Heroes praises the exploration aspect of the game, with plenty of areas to discover. Worth Playing emphasizes that the game encourages exploration and making your own fun in the wasteland. These positive aspects of the gameplay provide some enjoyable elements for players. However, there are also several criticisms of the gameplay. Game Rant, Variety, and Telegraph mention repetitive quests and chores, lack of variation, and subpar combat mechanics. Stevivor criticizes the clunky combat and frustration with weapon switching and healing in the Pip-Boy while under attack. Guardian and The Digital Fix point out bugs, crashes, and unreliable targeting systems that hinder the overall gameplay experience. CGMagazine and VideoGamer criticize the flawed combat mechanics and changes to the V.A.T.S. system. PlayStation Country and PlayStation LifeStyle find the encumbrance, hunger, and thirst mechanics to be tedious and repetitive. These negative aspects of the gameplay can detract from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate certain aspects of the gameplay, such as the returning features, exploration, and ability to play with friends, there are significant criticisms regarding repetitive quests, subpar combat mechanics, bugs, and tedious survival mechanics. The lack of meaningful choices in quests and the absence of NPCs are also mentioned as drawbacks. The overall sentiment leans towards a more negative perspective, with critics like Game Rant, Variety, and The Digital Fix expressing disappointment with the gameplay experience. However, there are still critics like Cheat Code Central and Worth Playing who find enjoyment in the gameplay, highlighting the flexibility and customization options.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics have mixed opinions on Fallout 76's gameplay. Some praise returning features like the Pip Boy menu and settlement building, while others criticize repetitive quests and subpar combat. The game's exploration aspect is lauded, but bugs and clunky mechanics hinder the experience. Overall, views are divided, with some finding enjoyment in the gameplay's customization options, while others are disappointed by its flaws and lack of meaningful choices.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

33%

Mixed (50-79)

44%

Negative (0-49)

22%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Fallout 76, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to be considered. The positive feedback highlights the beauty and vastness of the game's Appalachian scenery, with critics such as Game Rant and Gameplanet praising the visually gorgeous locations, deep valleys, and sweeping forests. The lush vegetation and wider color palette of West Virginia are also commended by GameGrin and Impulsegamer. Additionally, the eye-catching landmarks and areas to explore in the large Fallout map are mentioned by TrueAchievements and App Trigger. On the negative side, several critics express disappointment with the graphics and visual design of Fallout 76. Stevivor describes the graphics as looking like an Xbox 360 game, even on Xbox One X, and framerate drops are mentioned. CGMagazine points out the presence of bugs, glitches, and improperly loaded textures, which detract from the overall visual experience. Cheat Code Central criticizes the visuals for being dull and outdated, with stiff animations, technical bugs, and a clunky inventory UI. The Digital Fix mentions that the graphics are noticeably inferior to recent releases, with interiors shamefully lifted from Fallout 4 with minimal changes. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed opinion on the Graphics and Visual Design of Fallout 76. While the game's worldbuilding and environmental storytelling are praised by GamingTrend and Hardcore Gamer, the outdated visuals and technical issues mentioned by multiple reviewers, such as Telegraph and Press Start Australia, dampen the overall experience. The game's potential for beauty and wonder in its setting of West Virginia is acknowledged but is overshadowed by the presence of bugs, rendering issues, and repetitive quests. It is clear that the graphics and visual design of Fallout 76 leave room for improvement and have received a mixed reception from critics.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed feelings about the Graphics and Visual Design of Fallout 76. Positive feedback mentions the stunning Appalachian scenery and detailed landscapes, while negative remarks focus on outdated graphics, bugs, and technical issues. Overall, opinions are divided, with some praising the game's worldbuilding and environmental storytelling, while others criticize its visual shortcomings and repetitive quests. The game's potential is acknowledged, but improvements are needed to enhance the overall experience.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

13%

Mixed (50-79)

75%

Negative (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the videogame reviewers regarding the Sound Design and Music of Fallout 76 are quite varied. GamingTrend praises the soundtrack and sound design, describing them as top-notch with upbeat oldie tracks and immersive sound effects. Cheat Code Central also highlights the positive aspects of the aural ambience, mentioning the nicely integrated background sounds and skillful orchestral background music. PlayStation Country adds that there is plenty of lore to be found through files and audio clips, which can enhance the overall experience for players. However, there are also some negative opinions regarding the Sound Design and Music of Fallout 76. Variety criticizes the game for recycling the jingly retro tunes of the series without capturing the humor and quirkiness that made them memorable. They also mention the lack of interaction with the world, leading to detailed environments falling flat. Guardian criticizes the lack of dialogue and character interactions, which makes the game feel soulless despite the well-done audiotapes and voice acting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that while there are some positive aspects to the Sound Design and Music of Fallout 76, there are also significant shortcomings. The immersive sound effects, skillful orchestral background music, and the presence of lore through audio clips are appreciated. However, the lack of interaction with the world, the absence of larger than life characters and scenarios, and the unreliable sound cues for locating monsters are seen as drawbacks. The critics seem to agree that while the sound design and music have their moments, they ultimately fail to fully capture the essence and charm of the Fallout franchise.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics have mixed opinions on Fallout 76's Sound Design and Music. Some praise the top-notch soundtrack and immersive sound effects, while others criticize the lack of interaction with the world and character depth. Overall, reviewers appreciate the lore and skillful orchestral music but feel that the game falls short in capturing the essence of the Fallout franchise.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

83%

Negative (0-49)

17%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Fallout 76 are varied. GameGrin appreciates the unique approach of using holotapes and robots to deliver quests, but mentions that the lack of traditional human characters makes the world feel empty. This suggests that the voice acting for the holotapes and robots is well done, as it successfully conveys the necessary information to the players. The Guardian also praises the voice acting for the audiotapes, indicating that the quality of the voice acting itself is commendable. However, there are several negative opinions regarding the voice acting in Fallout 76. Variety mentions that the game relies heavily on found audio diaries and recordings, resulting in a lack of voice acting from non-player characters. This repetitive tone can be attributed to the absence of communication through voice acting, which Cheat Code Central criticizes for stripping away emotional investment in the player character. Xbox Achievements also states that while the voice acting in the game is solid, it is not utilized to its full potential. These criticisms suggest that the voice acting in Fallout 76 may be underutilized or lacking in certain aspects. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Fallout 76 has its strengths and weaknesses. The positive aspects include the well-done voice acting for the audiotapes and the unique approach of using holotapes and robots for quest delivery. On the other hand, the negative aspects revolve around the lack of voice acting from non-player characters and the potential underutilization of voice acting in general. It is important to note that GameSpace does not provide an opinion on the voice acting of the Mayor of Grafton, leaving room for further exploration of the voice acting in specific instances within the game.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics have mixed opinions on the voice acting in Fallout 76. Some praise the unique use of holotapes and robots for quests, while others criticize the lack of traditional human characters, making the world feel empty. Positive feedback highlights well-done voice acting for audiotapes, while negative critiques focus on the repetitive nature and underutilization of voice acting, impacting emotional investment. Overall, the voice acting in Fallout 76 is seen as having both strengths and weaknesses, with room for improvement in certain areas.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

23%

Negative (0-49)

77%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of technical performance, the opinions of the critics varied across different gaming platforms. On the Xbox One, some reviewers mentioned that the game's performance was generally fine, with only occasional frame rate drops during firefights in built-up areas (GameGrin). The large patch released a week after launch also helped resolve many of the initial bugs and glitches (Game Rant). However, other critics highlighted significant technical issues on Xbox One, such as frequent crashes, loss of progress, and long loading times (GamingTrend, Stevivor, TrueAchievements, Xbox Achievements). These issues were attributed to the game's outdated Creation Engine and the frustrating online environment (GamingTrend). On the PlayStation 4, the consensus among critics was that Fallout 76 suffered from numerous technical issues. These included crashes, disconnects, bugs, glitches, and frame rate drops (CGMagazine, Cheat Code Central, Gameplanet, Gamers Heroes, Guardian, Hardcore Gamer, MMORPG.com, PlayStation Country, Press Start Australia, Telegraph, The Digital Fix, VideoGamer). Some reviewers even described the game as unplayable visually due to rendering issues and major bugs (Press Start Australia). The critics also criticized Bethesda for releasing an unfinished game and expressed disappointment with the overall stability and performance (The Digital Fix). On the PC platform, the opinions were more mixed. While some reviewers mentioned server instability, bugs, and frustrations with the pace of bug fixes (GameSpace, Worth Playing), others found the bugs to be less game-destroying and experienced minimal server issues (Impulsegamer). However, the overall sentiment was still negative, with mentions of crashes, lag, and other technical issues (Worth Playing). Overall, the critics' opinions regarding the technical performance of Fallout 76 were largely negative across all gaming platforms. The game was consistently described as plagued by bugs, glitches, crashes, and frequent disconnections. The outdated Creation Engine and the online environment were seen as contributing factors to these technical issues. The negative sentiment expressed by multiple critics, such as GamingTrend, Cheat Code Central, and The Digital Fix, highlights the significant technical problems that affected the overall experience of playing Fallout 76.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics slammed Fallout 76 for technical disasters on all platforms: Xbox One faced crashes and long loading times, PS4 suffered from unplayable visuals and constant bugs, while PC had a mix of server issues and negative sentiments. The outdated Creation Engine was blamed for the game's myriad problems, leading to an overall negative experience for players and disappointment in Bethesda.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

45%

Negative (0-49)

45%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Fallout 76 are quite varied. On the positive side, New York Daily News appreciates the game's offering of plenty to do, explore, and unravel mysteries. They also mention that playing with a group of friends can enhance the experience and make it more enjoyable. Xbox Achievements also acknowledges that Fallout 76 can be a fun game where players can create their own stories. They mention that teaming up with friends is the ideal way to play, which suggests that the multiplayer aspect adds to the replay value. Hardcore Gamer also supports this notion, stating that multiplayer is best suited for random timed events and exploring the wasteland with a friend. However, there are several criticisms that highlight the lack of replay value in Fallout 76. Variety points out that the quests in the game are repetitive, and the lack of interaction with the world makes the environments feel flat. They also mention that the level-based perks system removes the satisfaction of building a unique character. Gameplanet echoes this sentiment, mentioning the lack of interactive NPCs and the lack of a sense of roleplaying beyond character creation. They also state that the inclusion of multiplayer adds nothing and takes away almost everything. Guardian adds to the negative aspects by highlighting the lack of fun social dynamics, unbalanced fights, and technical issues that make the game less enjoyable and reduce its replay value. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Fallout 76 has some positive aspects that can enhance the replay value, such as the option to play with friends and create unique stories. However, the negative aspects, such as repetitive quests, lack of interaction with the world, and technical issues, seem to outweigh the positives. Critics like Variety, Gameplanet, and Guardian emphasize these negative aspects, suggesting that they have a significant impact on the overall replay value of the game. While some critics, like Xbox Achievements and Hardcore Gamer, find enjoyment in the multiplayer aspect, others, like Gameplanet and Guardian, feel that it adds little to the overall experience. This mixed reception indicates that Fallout 76 may not have strong replay value for all players.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics have mixed opinions on the replay value of Fallout 76. Some praise the game for offering plenty to do and enjoy with friends, enhancing the experience. However, others criticize its repetitive quests, lack of world interaction, and technical issues, which diminish its replay value. While multiplayer adds some fun for some, it falls short for others. Overall, Fallout 76's replay value is questionable due to its divisive aspects.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

68%

Negative (0-49)

29%

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple videogame reviewers regarding the overall verdict of Fallout 76, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects of the game. Several critics, such as Game Rant and New York Daily News, highlight the potential and intriguing aspects of Fallout 76. They mention the game's environmental storytelling, social gathering potential, and solitary exploration as enjoyable experiences. These critics acknowledge that while the game has flaws, it offers a different and interesting experiment for players to engage with. On the other hand, numerous critics express disappointment and frustration with Fallout 76. Stevivor and The Digital Fix, for example, heavily criticize the game, calling it a "half-baked mess" and a "broken mess" respectively. They highlight issues such as technical problems, lack of NPCs, uninspired quests, and a lack of compelling narrative. These critics argue that these flaws hinder the overall experience and make the game feel unfinished or unpolished. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Fallout 76 is a divisive game with both strengths and weaknesses. While some critics, like Impulsegamer and MMORPG.com, find enjoyment in the game and appreciate its world design and gameplay, others, such as Guardian and Gameplanet, express concerns about its lack of story, technical issues, and overall soulless experience. The majority of critics agree that the game has potential but falls short in various aspects, resulting in a mixed reception. It is worth noting that the negative opinions of critics like Stevivor and The Digital Fix are more prominent, indicating a general sentiment of disappointment and frustration with Fallout 76. However, there are also positive opinions from critics like Game Rant and New York Daily News, which suggest that there are enjoyable aspects to be found in the game. Ultimately, the overall sentiment leans towards criticism, highlighting the need for improvements and addressing the game's flaws in order to provide a more satisfying experience for players.

TL;DR

Fallout 76 receives mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its unique elements like environmental storytelling and social potential, while others criticize its technical issues and lackluster narrative. The game is seen as a divisive experience, with potential but falling short in execution. Negative opinions outweigh positive ones, highlighting disappointment and calling for improvements to enhance player satisfaction.

CRITIK

Reviews

190 reviews found

Impulsegamer

Dec 11, 2018