Fallout 76 - Review Thread

bombshell · Nov 19, 2018

If you see a review that you'd like to get added to the opening post, just tag me in a post with the review.

Reviews

*
OpenCritic - 52 after 79 reviews
MetaCritic (PS4) - 51 after 36 reviews
MetaCritic (PC) - 54 after 34 reviews
MetaCritic (XB1) - 49 after 29 reviews

Eurogamer - Avoid
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-11-20-fallout-76-review-a-bizarre-boring-and-broken-mess

Eurogamer said:
Everything here is a means to an end rather than meaningful; surface level rather than deep-rooted. Even after tens of hours of play, Fallout 76 has failed to claw its way under my skin. All of Bethesda's games - from Fallout to The Elder Scrolls - instantly got inside my head, so much so that I'd think about them even when I wasn't playing them. I haven't thought about playing Fallout 76 since my last game-breaking bug.

This is why I think Fallout 76 is best avoided at this point. Can Bethesda turn the game around? I remain hopeful. The Fallout multiplayer dream is worth chasing, after all. It's just a shame that, as it stands now, Fallout 76 must go down as a failed experiment.

Just Push Start - 7/10
https://www.justpushstart.com/2018/11/fallout-76-review/

Just Push Start said:
Whether swapping NPC conversations for other players works is a bit subjective, though the change is not as severe a detriment to the experience as expected. While the roots of Fallout 76 are firmly in Fallout 4 the final gameplay experience is quite different and so there's no guarantee that fans of that game will enjoy it. Fallout 76 is worthy of recommendation with two caveats. You have to go in expecting a light multiplayer survival game in an interesting setting, rather than a deep story-focused role-playing game. On top of this, Fallout 76 is a game that really is better with friends, as that is the real replacement for the NPC dialogue in the world – if you're going in as a solo player you might come away dissatisfied.

PlayStation Universe - 7/10
https://www.psu.com/reviews/fallout-76-review/

Trusted Reviews - 3.5/5
https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/fallout-76

Trusted Reviews said:
Fallout 76 is one of the most interesting entries to the series since Fallout 3. The addition of multiplayer elements to the apocalyptic wasteland should on paper make for a wonderfully immersive, tense experience, and for a good while it does. Playing with buddies looting collapsed shopping centres and derelict towns is a blast and the robust crafting and character development mechanics are excellent.

However, quests' repetitive nature and a lack of human players filling the vast world can make Fallout 76 feel a little sterile and hamper its long-term appeal, especially if you don't have friends to accompany you on your journey through the wasteland. This makes Fallout 76 a good, not great, entry into the iconic franchise.

Xbox Achievements - 6.5/10
https://www.xboxachievements.com/game/fallout-76/review/

Game Informer - 6/10
https://www.gameinformer.com/review/fallout-76/over-encumbered

Softpedia - 3/5
https://www.softpedia.com/reviews/games/pc/fallout-76-review-523836.shtml

Xbox Tavern - 5.6/10
https://www.xboxtavern.com/fallout-76-review/

IGN - 5/10
https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/22/fallout-76-review

IGN said:
In an effort to do everything, Fallout 76 fails to do any of it well enough to form an identity. Its multiplayer mindset robs its quests of all the moral decisionmaking that makes the series great, and all that's left is a buggy mess of systemic designs that never seems to work together and regularly contradicts itself. It all culminates in an aggravating endgame that's more busywork than satisfying heroics. Bethesda missed the mark with Fallout 76, in part because it seems like it could never decide what it was aiming for.

Attack of the Fanboy - 2.5/5
https://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/fallout-76-review/

Attack of the Fanboy said:
Fallout 76 is a bold experiment with one of gaming's biggest and most beloved franchises. Unfortunately the experiment seems like a failure so far. Bugs and glitches are everywhere, but worse is that the core principles of design just don't function the way they seem like they should.

GamesRadar - 2.5/5
https://www.gamesradar.com/fallout-76-review/

Gamekult - 5/10
https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/fallout-76-3050878689/test.html

Gadgets360 - 5/10
https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/reviews/fallout-76-review-1948639

Gamespot - 4/10
https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/fallout-76-review-scorched-earth/1900-6417040/

Gamespot said:
Bethesda has stated it intends to continue supporting the game for a long time, but at launch, Fallout 76 is a poor experience. There are echoes of the series' admirable qualities, but look past that facade, past the cute Vault Boy animations, past the familiar radio tracks, and you'll find no heart--just an inconsequential wasteland doomed to be nuked over and over again.

GamingBolt - 4/10
https://gamingbolt.com/fallout-76-review-fundamentally-flawed

GamingBolt said:
Fallout 76 is not a completely broken game. It's not absolutely devoid of enjoyment, and every once in a while, it can live up to the franchise name it bears. The problem is that that enjoyment is buried under a mountainous pile of long stretches of boredom and emptiness, tedious and mind-numbing quests, baffling design choices, unbelievably bad technical issues, and a host of other problems that turn this into an experience that, frankly, has no business being out on shelves as a full-priced AAA game in its current state. What's concerning is that even if the issues that can be fixed through patches and updates are ironed out, the core fundamentals of the game are deeply flawed.

VideoGamer - 4/10
https://www.videogamer.com//reviews/fallout-76-review

The Guardian - 2/5
https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/nov/19/fallout-76-review-playstation-xbox-pc

TheSixthAxis - 3/10
https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2018/11/16/fallout-76-review/

TheSixthAxis said:
Fallout 76 had a lot to say when it was revealed. It was multiplayer, it had the largest world of any Fallout, it was going to be fun. The trouble is that it just doesn't work, the world is too big and empty, and the quest design as uninspired as it gets. If the only way for a game to be entertaining is by having your friends make jokes about it as you journey together, then it has failed at one of the things that most games should be. It has failed at being fun, it has failed at being entertaining in its own right. If you want to hang out with some friends in an a post-apocalypse, then just go to a pub and watch the news.

Push Square - 3/10
http://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/fallout_76

Push Square said:
Fallout 76 is a seriously shoddy attempt at trying to cash in on the multiplayer survival market. Fallout with friends is an intriguing concept on paper, but we can't think of many more ways that Bethesda could have screwed it up. Every online aspect of the release is half-baked and poorly implemented, but even as a single player experience, Fallout 76 would fall flat thanks to its archaic design and astoundingly poor world building. If you really, really enjoyed the gameplay loop of Fallout 4 and want to share it with friends, you might just find nuggets of fun scattered throughout, but even then, you're better off waiting to see whether Bethesda can fix the game's unforgivable technical performance. Fallout 76 is a stain on the developer's record, and one that won't be easily scrubbed clean.

Metro GameCentral - 3/10
https://metro.co.uk/2018/11/21/fallout-76-review-a-bad-idea-poorly-executed-8162807/

Metro GameCentral said:
Fallout 76 may be the most badly made video game we've ever seen from a major publisher. The idea of a multiplayer Fallout is perfectly fine, of course, and something that's been planned, by more than just Bethesda, many times over the years. But given the concept's potential the end result is baffling not only in terms of how much it gets wrong but in its haphazard implementation, resulting in a game that is not just broken on a technical level but in terms of almost all its major design decisions.

GameSpew - 2/10
https://www.gamespew.com/2018/11/fallout-76-review/

GameSpew said:
There are no redeeming features to be found in Fallout 76, and I'm not even sure if it can be saved. Technical issues just make what's a boring and soulless experience at its core into something that's simply more of an abomination. And even if you made Fallout 76 into an offline single-player experience I doubt it would set anyone's world alight. Uninteresting mission design, borderline broken gameplay features, ugly graphics, and a whole smorgasbord of technical issues combine to make Fallout 76 one of the worst gameplay experiences I've had this generation, and I've played Super Street: The Game and Yasai Ninja. I really hope Fallout 76 is turned around, I really do. I have a lot of respect for Bethesda for publishing quality single player releases such as The Evil Within 2, but Fallout 76 is just dire. It shouldn't have seen the light of day, and you shouldn't buy it.

*Thanks to JangleLuke for the OpenCritic Fallout Edition image

Quinton · Nov 19, 2018

Well, this will be a rollercoaster that just drops you from the start.

His Majesty · Nov 19, 2018

Remember those 76 metacritic jokes? Not even close.

Spacecowboy · Nov 19, 2018

Oh boy, here we go...

Expecting low 60s MC

Blade Wolf · Nov 19, 2018

Why is the review thread so late? Is Bethesda trying to cover something?

His Majesty said:
Remember those 76 metacritic jokes? Not even close.

lol

Ensirius · Nov 19, 2018

I feel like this was a 9.99 game rather than full retail.

asd202 · Nov 19, 2018

Damn both this and to lesser extent Battlefield V are disappointing.

Ensirius said:
I feel like this was a 9.99 game rather than full retail.

It will be that on January sale :P.

LoudMouse · Nov 19, 2018

For me, this thread will be more about the honesty of the industry rather than the quality of Fallout 76.

Starlatine · Nov 19, 2018

One of the positive points from the sixth axis review is "having friends"

Bravo.

Blade Wolf · Nov 19, 2018

Mark my words, within 2 years this fucking game will go F2P.

LoudMouse said:
For me, this thread will be more about the honesty of the industry rather than the quality of Fallout 76.

At least the critics are honest this time, I am so fucking sick of those ''8/10 Let's not offend the fans'' score, it's like they are afraid of offending anyone so they always end up picking a ''decent'' score for big AAA release even if it's not actually great.

Deleted member 10737 · Nov 19, 2018

damn sis. bethesda's lowest metascore of the gen?

Turin Turambar · Nov 19, 2018

Ouch. Unlike the past Bethesda games, I expected this to be rated lower, in the 70s. But not around 55!!

Is that bad, I wonder...

Nintendo · Nov 19, 2018

Yeesh! I knew the game is garbage but that's even lower than expected.

Linus815 · Nov 19, 2018

mazi said:
damn sis. bethesda's lowest metascore of the gen?

It may end up being the lowest AAA game of the gen.

Septic · Nov 19, 2018

Yeesh

Devilgunman · Nov 19, 2018

Here come 3000+ comments of aggression. This is gonna be dumpster fire.

Seriously, I really want to hear from those enjoying the game at which point of these negative reviews they disagree with. Just say "but I'm having fun!" isn't gonna cut it. I want to hear a constructive counter-argument.

Trice · Nov 19, 2018

Oh dis gon be gud

It's been 5 days if I'm not wrong, where are the big boy reviews?

texhnolyze · Nov 19, 2018

Blade Wolf said:
Mark my words, 2 years later this fucking game will go F2P.

2 years? It only took Destiny 2 one year to go F2P (well, not totally but that's that).

Mcjmetroid · Nov 19, 2018

From what I've seen I'm shocked some publications are given it even a 7. Maybe it's more fun playing it but it looks horrendous.

Blade Wolf · Nov 19, 2018

texhnolyze said:
2 years? It only took Destiny 2 one year to go F2P (well, not totally but that's that).

BrickArts295 said:
With the way things are going, I'll give it less than a year.

Okay, I'll change that to ''within 2 years''

BrickArts295 · Nov 19, 2018

Blade Wolf said:
Mark my words, 2 years later this fucking game will go F2P.

With the way things are going, I'll give it less than a year. ESO barely lasted 1 year with the subscription model before Bethesda pull the plug and re-release the game without it.

Mobu · Nov 19, 2018

But nerds told me critics wouldnt dare give this less than 7

bombshell · Nov 19, 2018

Blade Wolf said:
Why is the review thread so late? Is Bethesda trying to cover something?

Some of these reviews have been out for days, but like I prefaced in the OP nobody had made a thread yet.

Deleted member 40102 · Nov 19, 2018

Oh that should be a lesson for Beth.

Blade Wolf · Nov 19, 2018

bombshell said:
Some of these reviews have been out for days, but like I prefaced in the OP nobody had made a thread yet.

Thank you sir, that's all I can say.

Deleted member 11038 · Nov 19, 2018

I woul like to hear from people actually playing it and not people shitting on it because of low Metacritic: is it so bad to deserve a 56 MC? Do you think MC is brought down by bugs and issues or is it really so boring and terrible to play? I've heard people that are enjoying it despite all the negativity.

behOemoth · Nov 19, 2018

Bethesda finally gets their long overdue criticism about their polishing.

His Majesty · Nov 19, 2018

bigol said:
I woul like to hear from people actually playing it and not people shitting on it because of low Metacritic: is it so bad to deserve a 56 MC? Do you think MC is brought down by bugs and issues or is it really so boring and terrible to play? I've heard people that are enjoying it despite all the negativity.

From the videos I've seen it is both.

Imagine Fallout 4 without NPCs and only radiant go here kill x quests.

Edge · Nov 19, 2018

Still too high.

Femto0 · Nov 19, 2018

Not bad for a dlc

bombshell · Nov 19, 2018

bigol said:
I woul like to hear from people actually playing it and not people shitting on it because of low Metacritic: is it so bad to deserve a 56 MC? Do you think MC is brought down by bugs and issues or is it really so boring and terrible to play? I've heard people that are enjoying it despite all the negativity.

The reviewers are people actually playing it.

Phoenix Down · Nov 19, 2018

I'm hoping Bethesda can turn this around with a simple patch to make this a GOTY contender .

Deleted member 21003 · Nov 19, 2018

bigol said:
I woul like to hear from people actually playing it and not people shitting on it because of low Metacritic: is it so bad to deserve a 56 MC? Do you think MC is brought down by bugs and issues or is it really so boring and terrible to play? I've heard people that are enjoying it despite all the negativity.

There's a good game there somewhere. But not with all the bugs and how terrible it runs on everything. There's only so many times I can nearly finish a quest, have the game crash and it reset my progress on the quest because it didn't save my fucking progress during the quest.

cw_sasuke · Nov 19, 2018

They positioned a turd as an AAA fall release.

That's bold considering the competition.

Blade Wolf · Nov 19, 2018

bigol said:
I woul like to hear from people actually playing it and not people shitting on it because of low Metacritic: is it so bad to deserve a 56 MC? Do you think MC is brought down by bugs and issues or is it really so boring and terrible to play? I've heard people that are enjoying it despite all the negativity.

Go watch CohhCarnage's livestream, he is a fan of the series and he is enjoying the game and yet he is also getting really frustrated and disappointed at the same time, the game has way too many issues including balancing and online interactions.

Also this is a review thread, not a ''Fallout 76 impressions'' thread.

Go play the game if you are unsure about it. Seems like you are interested.

Twiz · Nov 19, 2018

Country roads take me home indeed.

Deleted member 8408 · Nov 19, 2018

Guys, it's fun with friends.

It's even better if you have an imagination.

It's also cheaper than a round of drinks and a few lines down at the local bar. Safer too.

I don't see the problem.

LightKiosk · Nov 19, 2018

I was expecting it to be low, but 56... oof. What was the last Bethesda release to get such a low score?

EndlessNever · Nov 19, 2018

I look forward to picking it up in the January sale for next to nothing.

Mary Celeste · Nov 19, 2018

that sixthaxis quote is truly wonderful

Mobu · Nov 19, 2018

Twiz said:
Country roads take me home indeed.

to the trashcan i belong

MeltedDreams · Nov 19, 2018

bombshell said:

Cool concerned pic.

I feel bad for the people that have worked on this game, but failing is the only way to sent any message to Bethesda for some future improvements. It's unacceptable to release unfinished full priced games.

onokopro · Nov 19, 2018

LightKiosk said:
I was expecting it to be low, but 56... oof. What was the last Bethesda release to get such a low score?

Not a Bethesda game, but Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel had a 64 meta
https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/fallout-brotherhood-of-steel

Kyle Cross · Nov 19, 2018

How long until the Bethesda sponsored Rooster Teeth video where they insult reviewers while being surrounded by Fallout swag?

Chasing · Nov 19, 2018

If you want to hang out with some friends in an a post-apocalypse, then just go to a pub and watch the news.

This snark is way funnier than it has any right to be.

Blade Wolf · Nov 19, 2018

MeltedDreams said:
Cool concerned pic.

I feel bad for the people that have worked on this game, but failing is the only way to sent any message to Bethesda for some future improvements. It's unacceptable to release unfinished full priced games.

Why feel bad for them? They fucking took money for this, lots of money.

Those money should've gone to Call of Cthulhu developers instead.

IIFloodyII · Nov 19, 2018

MeltedDreams said:
Cool concerned pic.

I feel bad for the people that have worked on this game, but failing is the only way to sent any message to Bethesda for some future improvements. It's unacceptable to release unfinished full priced games.

That pic is from Opencritic.

Maximo · Nov 19, 2018

GHG said:
Guys, it's fun with friends.

It's even better if you have an imagination.

It's also cheaper than a round of drinks and a few lines down at the local bar. Safer too.

I don't see the problem.

I honestly can't tell if this is a joke.

Trickster · Nov 19, 2018

Been waiting for this

shaneo632 · Nov 19, 2018

Glad the critics didn't give it an easy 7/10 ride. I sent my rental copy back today; the game is an embarrassment for a AAA studio.

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