Fallout 4 (Next Gen) - Before You Buy

gameranx
25 Apr 202410:42

Summary

TLDRIn this episode of 'Before You Buy,' Falcon discusses the next-gen update for Fallout 4, which has been highly anticipated since its announcement in 2022. The update brings native applications to current-gen consoles, a performance mode targeting 60 FPS at 4K, and a quality mode at 30 FPS with 4K resolution and ultra settings. While the update is available for all versions, the focus is on the PS5 version. Stability and bug fixes are included, but PC players are advised to wait due to potential mod incompatibilities. Despite improvements, the game still has its flaws, such as the settlement system and the new perk system. However, the update offers a more stable and visually enhanced experience, especially with the 60 FPS frame rate. The content also adds new quests and improvements, making it a worthwhile consideration for console players, although PC players with modded games are cautioned against updating immediately.

Takeaways

  • 📅 Fallout 4's next-gen update has been released after being announced in 2022.
  • 🎮 All versions of Fallout 4 are receiving updates, with the focus being on PS5 due to accessibility.
  • 📊 Console updates include native applications for current-gen consoles and a performance mode with 60 FPS at 4K.
  • 💻 PC version updates are less extensive, focusing on new widescreen options and stability improvements.
  • 🔩 Mod support for PC is extensive, but the new update may break many mods, causing delays like the Fallout 4: London Mod.
  • 📉 The console version of Fallout 4 has not aged well compared to the PC version, which has superior graphics and mod support.
  • 🔝 The gap between PC and console versions has narrowed with the update, though it's not a complete overhaul.
  • 🎨 The game's design work, including the Commonwealth's atmosphere and visual interest, is praised for its quality.
  • 🚀 Fallout 4 expands on the Fallout world, showing more immersive elements like using a stimpak and entering power armor.
  • 🛠 The settlement system and new perks system are criticized as being clunky and frustrating.
  • ⚙️ Despite improvements, the game still experienced crashes during the reviewer's playthrough on PS5.
  • ✅ For console players, updating to the new version is recommended for a more playable experience with noticeable differences.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is the next-gen update for Fallout 4, discussing its features, improvements, and the impact on console and PC players.

  • When was the next-gen update for Fallout 4 first announced?

    -The next-gen update for Fallout 4 was first announced back in 2022.

  • Which console version of Fallout 4 does the host primarily focus on?

    -The host primarily focuses on the PS5 version of Fallout 4, as it is the best version of the game they have access to.

  • What are the two modes added in the update for console players?

    -The two modes added in the update for console players are the performance mode, targeting 60 frames per second at 4K, and the quality mode, which runs at 30 frames per second with 4K resolution and ultra settings without dynamic resolution.

  • Why might PC players be advised to wait before updating Fallout 4?

    -PC players might be advised to wait before updating because the new updates could potentially break many mods, which is generally an undesirable outcome for modded gameplay.

  • What is the impact of the next-gen update on the console version of Fallout 4 in terms of graphics?

    -The console version of Fallout 4 sees improvements in graphics with higher resolution and more stable frame rates, but it still does not surpass the PC version in terms of visual quality.

  • What is the host's opinion on the role-playing aspect of Fallout 4?

    -The host feels that the role-playing aspect of Fallout 4 is not great, with a restrictive dialogue wheel and simplified quest designs.

  • What new content is included in the next-gen update for Fallout 4?

    -The next-gen update includes new quests such as 'Echoes of the Past' with new Enclave content, 'When Pigs Fly' which adds new weapons, and 'All Hallow's Eve' with Halloween-themed workshop content.

  • Why does the host recommend avoiding the 'Echoes of the Past' quest until later in the game?

    -The host recommends avoiding the 'Echoes of the Past' quest until later because once triggered, the Enclave will relentlessly ambush the player, which can lead to a game-over if the player is not sufficiently powerful.

  • What is the host's recommendation for console players regarding the next-gen update of Fallout 4?

    -The host recommends console players to update to the next-gen version of Fallout 4 for a more playable experience with improved resolution and frame rate.

  • How does the host describe the overall experience of playing Fallout 4 on next-gen consoles compared to previous generations?

    -The host describes the experience as a significant improvement over the previous generation, with better performance and graphics, but still not on par with the PC version.

  • What does the host suggest for players who value exploration and shooting mechanics in a Fallout game?

    -The host suggests that for players who value exploration and improved shooting mechanics, Fallout 4 holds up better than they might think and is worth coming back to.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Fallout 4 Next Gen Update Overview

Falcon discusses the long-awaited next gen update for Fallout 4, which was first announced in 2022. The update applies to all versions of the game, including last-gen and PC, with a focus on PS5 due to the presenter's access. The update brings native applications for current-gen consoles, a performance mode targeting 60 FPS at 4K with resolution scaling, and a quality mode at 30 FPS with 4K resolution and ultra settings. Stability and bug fixes are included, alongside free content. However, PC players are advised to wait for mod updates before upgrading due to potential mod incompatibility. The console version of Fallout 4 has not aged well, and despite the update, the PC version remains superior, particularly with mod support. The update narrows the gap between PC and console experiences, offering higher resolution and a more stable frame rate without being a complete overhaul.

05:01

🎮 Fallout 4 Console Update Experience

The script details the author's experience with the Fallout 4 update on consoles, highlighting the vanilla console version's settlement system as frustrating and the new perks system as divisive. The author expresses a preference for the old Fallout 3/New Vegas Perk System and notes that while Fallout 4 has aged, it still offers a good-looking gaming experience with parts of the game holding up over time. The update introduces a 60 FPS target, which significantly improves gameplay, and allows for save transfers. New quests such as 'Echoes of the Past,' 'When Pigs Fly,' and 'All Hallow's Eve' are mentioned, with a cautionary note on the difficulty and design of the Enclave-related quest. The author also reports experiencing crashes during gameplay and advises caution for players transitioning from last-gen consoles.

10:03

📚 Fallout 4 - A Game Worth Returning To

Falcon concludes the video script by sharing his overall thoughts on Fallout 4. Despite its flaws, he believes the game's strengths, such as satisfying exploration and better shooting mechanics compared to its predecessors, make it worth revisiting. He contrasts Fallout 4 with New Vegas, suggesting that players seeking complex quests and branching storylines might prefer the latter. The author encourages viewers to share their opinions in the comments and to subscribe for daily video uploads. He also invites viewers to follow him on Twitter for more content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Fallout 4

Fallout 4 is a popular open-world role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios. In the video, it is the central topic as the host discusses the game's next-gen update, its reception, and gameplay improvements. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world and allows players to explore, quest, and engage in combat.

💡Next-gen update

The term 'next-gen update' refers to the recent improvements and enhancements made to Fallout 4 for newer gaming consoles like the PS5. The update aims to provide better graphics, performance, and additional content, making the game more enjoyable on modern platforms. The host discusses the specifics of this update and its impact on the gaming experience.

💡Performance mode

Performance mode is a setting introduced in the next-gen update of Fallout 4 that targets 60 frames per second gameplay at 4K resolution with resolution scaling. It is one of the key features highlighted in the video, emphasizing the smoother and more responsive gameplay experience it offers compared to the standard 30 frames per second mode.

💡Stability fixes

Stability fixes are improvements made to the game to reduce crashes, bugs, and other technical issues that can disrupt gameplay. The host mentions these fixes as part of the update's benefits, suggesting that they contribute to a more reliable gaming experience for players.

💡Mods

Mods, short for modifications, are user-created changes or additions to a game that can alter or enhance its content. The video discusses the potential impact of the Fallout 4 update on existing mods, noting that major updates often cause compatibility issues and may require mod creators to update their mods accordingly.

💡Fallout 4: London Mod

The Fallout 4: London Mod is a significant community-made addition to the game that the host mentions as being more exciting than the official next-gen update. It highlights the creativity and contribution of the game's modding community to expand and enrich the game's world and content.

💡Save transfers

Save transfers refer to the ability to carry over progress from an older version of a game to a newer version or update. The host appreciates this feature in the PS5 version of Fallout 4, as it allows players to continue their existing games without starting over.

💡Echoes of the Past

Echoes of the Past is one of the new quests added to Fallout 4 as part of the next-gen update. It includes new Enclave content and is mentioned in the video as a point of interest for players who enjoy the game's storyline and lore.

💡When Pigs Fly

When Pigs Fly is another new quest added in the update, which introduces new weapons to the game. The host briefly mentions this quest as part of the additional content provided in the next-gen update, contributing to the game's replayability and variety.

💡All Hallow's Eve

All Hallow's Eve is a quest that includes Halloween-themed workshop content added to the game. The host finds its inclusion in the update to be unusual, given that it was released outside of the Halloween season, but doesn't suggest it should be removed.

💡Frame rate

Frame rate refers to the number of frames or images displayed per second in a video or game, which affects the smoothness of motion. The host emphasizes the significance of the 60 frames per second target in the performance mode of the updated Fallout 4, noting that it provides a noticeably better gameplay experience.

Highlights

Fallout 4's next-gen update has finally arrived after being announced in 2022.

All versions of Fallout 4, including last-gen and PC, are receiving updates.

The PS5 version is the focus due to it being the best version accessible to the reviewer.

Consoles are getting native applications for current-gen consoles and a performance mode.

Performance mode targets 60 frames per second at 4K with resolution scaling.

Quality mode offers 30 frames per second at 4K with ultra settings and no dynamic resolution.

Stability fixes, bug fixes, and free content are included in the update.

PC players are advised to wait for mod updates before upgrading due to potential mod incompatibility.

Fallout 4: London Mod release was delayed due to the update.

The gap between PC and console versions has narrowed but is not fully bridged.

The game's atmosphere and design work are praised for their quality and immersion.

The settlement system and new perks system are criticized for being clunky and frustrating.

The PS5 version allows for save transfers, which is appreciated by the reviewer.

New quests, such as Echoes of the Past, When Pigs Fly, and All Hallow's Eve, are included in the update.

The Enclave quest can be challenging and potentially game-breaking if not approached correctly.

The game still experiences crashes, even with the new update.

The update is a significant improvement over last-gen console versions but does not fully match the PC experience.

The 60 frames per second gameplay is a notable improvement and a reason to upgrade for console players.

Fallout 4 is still worth returning to for its exploration and improved shooting mechanics.

Transcripts

00:01

(electronic chime)

00:02

- [Falcon] Welcome back to another episode

00:03

of Before You Buy,

00:04

the show where we give you some straight up gameplay

00:06

and our first impressions.

00:08

Hi folks, it's Falcon, and it took a while,

00:10

but Fallout 4's next gen update is finally here.

00:13

It was revealed that Bethesda was working on this

00:16

actually way back in 2022.

00:18

But it's basically just been radio silence since then.

00:21

But hey, better late than ever, right?

00:23

And with Fallout mania at a fever pitch now,

00:26

what better time to dive back into Fallout 4.

00:28

I did it with 76, why not?

00:30

So first thing to say here

00:32

is that all versions of Fallout 4 are being updated,

00:35

and that includes the last gen and PC.

00:38

We're mostly focusing on the PS5 here,

00:40

'cause that's the best version of the game I have access to.

00:42

Consoles are getting native applications

00:45

for current gen consoles,

00:46

and the addition of a performance mode

00:48

you can switch on and off in the settings.

00:50

On performance mode the target's 60 frames per second at 4K,

00:54

with standard settings using resolution scaling,

00:57

while quality mode is just performance turned off,

01:00

it's 30 frames per second, 4K resolution,

01:02

and with ultra settings, no dynamic resolution.

01:05

There's also a whole bunch of stability fixes, bug fixes,

01:08

and free content they're throwing in.

01:10

So it's a pretty good time to return to Fallout 4

01:12

if you're a console player,

01:13

but, if you're a PC player, you might wanna wait.

01:15

The new updates to the PC version

01:17

are not as extensive as on consoles.

01:20

They're mostly just adding new widescreen

01:22

and ultra widescreen options.

01:23

As well as, yes, stability improvements and fixes,

01:26

that's not necessarily a bad thing.

01:28

But like with most major Bethesda game updates,

01:31

it's expected that this one is going to break a lot of mods,

01:34

and nobody likes that.

01:36

It's the reason why

01:37

that huge Fallout 4: London Mod got delayed.

01:40

They didn't wanna release a mod

01:41

that's gonna be totally broken

01:42

several days after they release it.

01:44

So most people are saying to hold off on updating the game

01:46

if you're on PC.

01:48

That's probably what I'm gonna be doing,

01:49

and I will keep it that way until the dust settles.

01:52

Obviously, all the modders do work on updating their mods.

01:55

There's gonna be some mods that are just flat out dead

01:58

as a result of this update.

02:00

It sucks.

02:01

But again, the PC versions changes are kinda minor anyway,

02:04

so it's not a huge loss.

02:05

The thing about Fallout 4 on consoles

02:07

is that it's been pretty rough for quite a while,

02:09

years, in fact.

02:10

The game came out relatively early

02:12

in the PS4 Xbox One lifecycle,

02:14

and it's not, I mean, it really has not aged well.

02:17

Even with a PS4 Pro, the game had really muddy textures,

02:20

ugly shadows, whole lotta slowdown in the open world.

02:23

It just didn't feel that good to play.

02:25

And the PC version has been superior in every way

02:28

the whole time.

02:29

And I hate to say it, but that's still the case.

02:32

It's a Bethesda game,

02:33

so, eh, what else really is there to say about that,

02:36

they're made for PC.

02:37

Extensive mod support there makes them a lot better.

02:41

Fallout 4 in particular has tons of mods

02:44

that add so much value to the game.

02:46

I mean, again, just look at that Fallout 4: London mod

02:49

that's coming out,

02:50

I'm probably more excited about that

02:52

than anything they've added with this next gen update.

02:54

But now, at very least,

02:56

the gap between PC and console is not so wide,

02:59

even if it's not the full overhaul

03:01

maybe some have been hoping for, it's not Fallout 4 2.0,

03:05

it's a relatively unambitious next gen update

03:07

with some community-made content stapled on

03:09

to give it some good value.

03:11

It's still the Fallout 4 we all know,

03:13

just with higher resolution and a more stable frame rate.

03:15

Again, it's not a hell of a lot,

03:17

but I did spend some time on the base PS4 version

03:19

just to remind myself what it was like,

03:21

and it is a noticeable improvement.

03:24

Some might call it polishing a turd, but it's not that bad.

03:27

Fallout 4 has been and continues to be a divisive game.

03:31

There's a lotta good things about it

03:32

and a lot of annoyances

03:33

depending on what someone's looking for in a Fallout game.

03:36

Yeah.

03:37

I mean there's stuff that I really like about it

03:39

and stuff that I don't.

03:40

Role playing isn't great,

03:41

the dialogue wheel that they copped

03:43

from the Mass Effect games is too restrictive.

03:46

And quest designs has been dumbed down all over the place.

03:48

On the other hand, handling and shooting controls

03:51

are way better than 3 and New Vegas.

03:53

Another thing that the game excels at is atmosphere.

03:55

The Commonwealth is super dense, very visually interesting

03:58

in a way that the previous Fallout games just aren't.

04:01

Exploration is awesome here,

04:03

honestly, perhaps the game's strongest element.

04:06

Because it's not the story, that's for sure.

04:08

One thing that doesn't get discussed a lot

04:11

is how much Fallout 4

04:12

really expands on the world of Fallout,

04:14

and it does make it a more immersive place.

04:16

The game actually shows us how you use a stimpak,

04:18

for instance.

04:19

It's the first game to show someone

04:21

actually get into power armor,

04:23

and where the fusion power core goes.

04:25

A lotta the monsters and factions

04:27

were redesigned for Fallout 4,

04:29

and I have to compliment the design team,

04:31

because they made a lotta stuff

04:32

that was actually able to be recreated in live action

04:35

and somehow isn't distracting.

04:37

A ton of the design language from the show

04:39

comes from Fallout 4,

04:41

and you have to give credit to Bethesda

04:42

because it all does look great.

04:44

The strong design work

04:45

actually is what makes Fallout 4 hold up at all.

04:48

It definitely does look old,

04:50

like anytime you're in an interior space in the open world,

04:52

it looks pretty flat and ugly, but, outside of that,

04:55

the game can look pretty nice at times.

04:57

Other parts of the game haven't aged quite as well,

04:59

the settlement system

05:01

is still janky and frustrating as ever.

05:03

There are mods for it on the PC

05:04

that make the whole thing a lot more user friendly.

05:06

But not on the vanilla console version,

05:09

and that's what you're getting here,

05:10

so, prepare to go insane trying to line up some walls

05:13

and actually get them to attach to each other.

05:15

The new perks system is also divisive.

05:17

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it.

05:20

It works, but it's still kinda clunky visually,

05:22

and a lotta the skills seem pretty randomly placed,

05:25

so, I'm always hunting around to find the right ones.

05:27

I don't know.

05:28

I don't hate the idea

05:29

of being able to upgrade your character however you want,

05:32

but I also still prefer

05:33

the old Fallout 3 slash New Vegas Perk System.

05:36

I mean, it's funny that I call Fallout 4's perk system new.

05:40

Next year it'll be 10 years old, but, yeah.

05:43

Anyway, Fallout 4 is a good-looking game overall.

05:46

You'd never be fooled

05:47

into thinking it's next gen, obviously,

05:49

but parts of the game hold up at least.

05:51

The 60 frames per second target is also huge

05:54

if you've never experienced the game at that frame rate,

05:56

it feels so much better to play it that way.

05:59

It still stutters a bit from time to time on PS5,

06:02

but the difference between the next gen version

06:03

and the previous gen version is pretty significant.

06:06

The PS5 version allows for save transfers,

06:09

which is super appreciated,

06:10

but I decided to start a new game

06:11

just to see what it's like.

06:13

If you do that, it may not be a good idea

06:15

to take on any of the added quests

06:17

you get with this version.

06:18

The new quests are Echoes of the Past,

06:20

which includes some new Enclave content,

06:23

When Pigs Fly, which gets you some new weapons,

06:25

and All Hallow's Eve,

06:26

which includes some Halloween workshop stuff

06:28

for some reason.

06:30

Maybe it was originally gonna launch around Halloween.

06:32

I don't know why it's here.

06:34

But I don't think they should remove it or anything,

06:36

it just stands out as weird

06:38

that they released some Halloween content

06:40

in, you know, April.

06:42

The Enclave stuff is what I was most interested in.

06:45

So right after starting a new game,

06:47

I ran east to trigger the quest,

06:48

in hindsight, it was a bad idea,

06:50

'cause once you trigger that enclave ambush,

06:52

your only options are either to kill them or be killed,

06:55

and you better be ready to kill them,

06:56

because, if they take you out,

06:58

you restart the game, 'cause you're soft locked.

07:00

Once the ambush zone is triggered,

07:02

they will follow you literally everywhere and ambush you,

07:05

it doesn't matter where you go, they will find you,

07:07

and they will take you out.

07:08

Even if you switch the game to Very Easy settings,

07:11

they will destroy you in seconds before you can do anything.

07:13

So, here's a little tip for you.

07:15

Avoid Echoes of the Past like the plague,

07:17

at least until you're definitely powerful enough to do it.

07:21

And when you do take it on, make a backup save.

07:23

So not exactly the best-designed quest of all time,

07:25

but that's not really the only problem with the update.

07:28

Bethesda probably did make

07:30

a lot of stability improvements and bug fixes,

07:33

but I still experienced more than one crash,

07:35

after playing the game for only a few hours,

07:37

which is not a great sign.

07:40

I don't know if I'm an outlier here,

07:41

or if it's going to be a problem.

07:43

But I do figure people should probably know.

07:46

I mean, I've got a lot of experience

07:48

playing Fallout 4 on previous consoles,

07:51

both the Xbox One and the PS4,

07:53

and it felt a lot like that, maybe a bit better.

07:58

But this game was a crasher,

07:59

on both of those systems for me,

08:01

and it definitely brought back some of that,

08:04

well I guess fear of just like random crashing,

08:06

you never really know when the game is gonna be over,

08:08

so to speak.

08:09

But other than a few new additions,

08:11

it really is just Fallout 4, warts and all.

08:14

It is a pretty big step over the last gen console versions.

08:18

They have not aged well at all.

08:20

But that's kinda the best I can really say about it.

08:22

If you got a PS4 disc lying around,

08:25

or just prefer to play these games on consoles

08:27

and have an Xbox Series X or PS5,

08:30

then switching over to the new versions is,

08:32

it's a no brainer.

08:33

It's a much more playable experience overall,

08:36

and you will notice differences,

08:38

especially if you play it at 60 frames for a second,

08:41

I'm just gonna say right off, that's what I'm playing it in,

08:44

I have no reason

08:45

to play it in 30 frames per second on a console.

08:48

If I'm able to play it in 60,

08:49

that's the reason to upgrade it.

08:51

I mean, there are other reasons to upgrade it,

08:53

but for me, none of them even really compare to that,

08:57

I mean it just is such a huge difference.

09:00

It's also why I generally play it on PC,

09:03

up until this point.

09:04

Because even with 60 frames per second on here,

09:07

it still pales in comparison to the PC version.

09:09

Or at least the PC version

09:11

before it breaks everybody's mods.

09:13

With Bethesda, it's always two steps forward,

09:15

one step back with all these kinds of things.

09:17

If you're a PC player

09:18

in the middle of a modded playthrough,

09:20

don't update Fallout 4, it is gonna screw ya.

09:23

But if you are playing on console,

09:26

I cannot imagine why you would not update it.

09:29

It's not some kinda major overhaul.

09:31

Graphically speaking, literally the same thing

09:34

with improved resolution and a better frame rate,

09:36

but, again, that is a big, big thing with this game.

09:41

Not big enough to make it as good as the PC version,

09:44

but it's a big jump.

09:45

So is Fallout worth coming back to it all?

09:47

Yeah, absolutely.

09:49

It's a flawed game for sure,

09:50

but I do think the good outweighs the bad.

09:52

If you want complex quests

09:53

with an interesting branching storyline,

09:55

then New Vegas, yeah, it's right there.

09:57

But if you want some satisfying exploration,

09:59

a more visually dynamic and interesting world

10:02

to explore and uncover.

10:05

And, let's face it, significantly better shooting mechanics,

10:08

then I think this game holds up better than you might think.

10:11

So, leave us a comment

10:12

and let us know what it is that you think.

10:14

If you like this video, click like,

10:16

if you're not subscribed, now's a great time to do so.

10:18

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10:20

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10:22

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10:23

Don't forget to enable notifications,

10:24

and as always, we thank you very much

10:26

for watching this video.

10:27

I'm Falcon, you can follow me on Twitter @FalconTheHero.

10:30

We'll see you next time, right here on Gameranx.

10:34

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