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Fallout 4
Another popular series of games by Bethesda is Fallout. One of my favorites in particular is Fallout 4. It's an open world, single player, role playing game that was released in 2015 and directed by Todd Howard (also known for The Elder Scrolls games). Unlike The Elder Scrolls, Fallout 4 takes place in a science fiction, post-apocalyptic version of the United States. It's a very fun and captivating game, and honestly, it's probably one of the best made games I've ever played, in spite of it being developed by Bethesda Game Studios.
Fallout 4 starts out in Boston, Massachusetts in 2287. It's set ten years after the events of Fallout 3. The player finds themselves in a house. They are married and have a newborn baby named Shaun. The play can choose to play as either the male or female spouse and can customize their character. They can also choose their level of attributes, which are strength, perception, charisma, endurance, luck, intelligence, and agility. Whichever level your attributes are at can affect your conversations (having a high level of intelligence gives you more dialogue options) and your ability to use up stamina.
*Fallout 4 character creation
*This is your perk chart. Every time you level up, you can choose a new perk!
At first, it seems happy-go-lucky. The player can explore their house, which is styled in a retro-futuristic type of manner. However, everything changes once a nuclear bomb explodes nearby, and the player, their spouse, and their baby have been registered to seek shelter in Vault 111. Once they are there, the family is put into tubs and remain in a cryogenic stasis for the next 210 years. During that time period was the Great War, which wreaked havoc across the planet, turning the once booming, futuristic haven into a nuclear wasteland filled with deadly, mutated creatures and dangerous wasterlanders .
The player wakes up, only to see that their spouse is suddenly killed, and their baby is kidnapped. Fallout 4's central quest is the player trying to rescue their baby. However, it is possible to deviate from this for as long as the player wants.
Here's a list of the best features in Fallout 4:
1. Pip Boys
The Pip Boy is your best friend in Fallout 4. It contains your current inventory, level, statistics, location, and questline. It also has a little flashlight in case you're stuck some place dark.
*This is your Pip Boy's display.
2. Setting and Settlements
Although the story was originally set in Boston, Massachusetts, their home is now called the Commonwealth. The player can explore the entirety of the Commonwealth, discovering old military bases filled with vital supplies, settlements, and barren, monster-infested towns. The graphics in Fallout 4 are astounding. The aesthetic is futuristic yet also retro, inspired by some of the decor and styles of the 1940's and 50's. The first settlement is the Sanctuary, which is where the player's original home was. The player can put up a beacon that spawns random settlers to their settlement, which can then become a booming, lively place. One of the miscellaneous quests is helping out other settlers. Whether it's taking care of feral ghouls (they're rapidly decaying humans who have lost their minds due to radiation), supermutants, or raiders, if the player succeeds, they can become a part of that specific settlement and are allowed to use the workshop. One of the most popular places in the Commonwealth (and arguably the safest) is Diamond City. There are various markets, and it is densely populated. Talking to the NPCs can get you a quest as well. The player can also cook, modify weapons and armor, and create different drugs in the settlements or Diamond City.
*Diamond City
*Fallout 4 Graphic featuring Power Armor. It's a really cool suit the player can wear. It makes them a little sturdier, and you can also get jetpacks and such.
*When feral ghouls just pop out of the shadows, it's one of the most terrifying moments in my life.
3. Companions
The companion system in Fallout 4 is much better than it is in Skyrim. The player can interact with them more and get to know them much better. Another thing the companions have is an approval rating. If you do something ruthless, chances are you'll get a sign that says your companion disapproves of you. Honestly, it depends on who you choose as your companion. For example, one of my favorites is Cait, and she happens to approve of you when you take drugs during a fight (I thought that was really funny.) However, if you don't want to focus on keeping a good relationship with your companion, the best companion is Dogmeat. He is a lone German Shepherd who you can control. You can also play with him and teach him to do tricks (unlike The Elder Scrolls). Dogmeat also doesn't have an approval system, so whatever you choose to do, he will always love you!
*Dogmeat
4. Combat
The player can choose to play from a third person perspective or a third person perspective. The player can choose from a vast array of weapons and explosives. Some of the weapons can range from the Fat Man (mini nukes), missiles, machine guns, and swords. In The Elder Scrolls, the player cannot focus their attacks on a single person. It's somewhat random, so if you're not careful, you can accidentally hurt your own companion and make them angry. In Fallout 4, you can actually 'focus' on a character. Another great thing is the V.A.T.S (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System). Once this command is activated, you can aim your weapon on a certain part of someone's body in slow motion and deliver a devastating blow.
*V.A.T.S in use
5. Bugs
Another great thing about Fallout 4, at least on my end, is the lack of bugs. I've barely run into any bugs, other than maybe a twitching body. Then again, I do play Fallout 4 on the PS4, so my experience may be different from others.
*This is an actual Bloatfly bug in Fallout 4. I hate it very much.
6. Music
Although Jeremy Soule did wonders with the Skyrim soundtrack, Inon Zur did a great job with Fallout 4. In fact, the intro theme is one of the most well known in the gaming community. People hear it and automatically know it's from Fallout. The music also fits with the apocalyptic atmosphere of the game.
I've linked the theme song below:
Now, here are some of the cons of Fallout 4.
1. Storyline
I noticed that quite a few people complain about the fact that they don't have a lot of freedom when it comes to the central storyline, which is the player finding their baby. People feel limited when it comes to this quest, finding it rather boring. And no matter what, there is only one choice to make in the end.
Even I found main quest to be boring. In fact, I've put off doing the main quest for a really long time now. I honestly didn't care about Shaun either (spoiler alert, he's pretty much okay and doesn't need you). Not mention, when it comes to the factions (you can join a few different groups), they all pretty much have the same goal in mind: finding the Institution. The Institution is the central antagonist of the game. They're a shadowy organization responsible for creating synths, a species of humanoid robots that are pretty much mindless killers. Either way, you pretty much end up in the same place. Although there are a lot of dialogue choices, most of the time it results in the same outcome no matter what you choose.
2. The Endless Wasteland
After traveling through the Commonwealth, most of what you see is ruined cities and vast, apocalyptic wastelands. There isn't much diversity in the landscape. Then again, that's pretty much the definition of an 'apocalyptic wasteland,' so what can you do? I think if there were a little cove of some sort that had preserved land, that'd be very neat. One thing great about Skyrim's graphics is that it's such a diverse landscape, there are all sorts of unique places to see.
3. Animals
Dogmeat is the only animal companion that cannot die. He is immortal. Something that upsets me, though, is the fact that the player must kill some of the wastelander's dogs with cute little bandanas. There is a way to incapacitate an animal and even make it fight for you, but you have to have a certain level of perks. It's also somewhat difficult, at least in my experience.
*Come on, Todd Howard. I don't want to kill him!
Overall, Fallout 4 is a pretty solid game. It has good graphics, a great and compelling storyline, and very good character creation in my opinion. As always, you can choose your difficulty so you have the chance to go at your own pace. It's very good for people who really enjoy open world and role playing games, and I highly recommend it if you've finished Skyrim. As for a rating, I give it an 9 out of 10. The .5 deduction is for the lack of freedom, and the other .5 is for the dogs.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
One of my all time favorite open world, role-playing games is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It is one of the first games I’ve ever played on the PS4, and it will forever remain one of the best games in history. Skyrim can either be played from a first-person perspective or a third-person perspective (first-person is more immersive) has a very in depth and complex lore, and there are hundreds of side quests that are very fun and can range from various things to searching for a sacred artifact or even killing someone.
I don’t want to spoil everything for you, but the game starts out with a wagon ride. You are a prisoner bound for execution, and when they ask your name near the chopping block, you have the ability to pick from 10 different races, pick your gender, and make up your own name. Each race has different bonuses. For example, Imperials (a race of humans) are more likely to find gold, and Argonians (lizard people) can breathe underwater.
*Character creation: one of the good things about Skyrim is that you can pick between a male or female character
Before you can be executed, a dragon suddenly attacks the village you are in, and you have the opportunity to escape with the help of two different people: a Stormcloak rebel or an Imperial soldier. This decision will lead you through different quests, as the two groups are currently warring against each other. Imperials are part of the Empire and serve the Emperor, and the Stormcloaks are the rebels who serve a usurper.
*The Stormcloaks' flag is on the left, whereas the Imperial flag is on the right.
Either way, you escape, and your journey unfolds from there. Here are some of the positive aspects of Skyrim that you may enjoy as much as I did:
1. Graphics
Although Skyrim was released in 2011, it’s graphics are still impeccable. Its developer Bethesda Game Studios is known for their good graphics and unique roleplaying, so it is to be expected. Although some of the characters may look a little cheesy, such as being cross-eyed or downright hideous, that is not the main draw of the graphics. The sights of the wintry, deciduous landscapes of Tamriel, the volcanic, desert biome of Solstheim, and the old Dwarven ruins are beautifully designed. The weather is also a neat feature. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it snows depending on wherever you are. Skyrim also features a massive map of at least 15 square miles. It features explorable caves, abandoned dragon temples, the various cities and villages, arduous mountain climbing, and peaceful promenades through the digital wilderness (you could be attacked though so that might ruin the serenity).
*Markarth is an old, Dwemer (Dwarven) city with beautiful architecture.
*Skyrim characters for being particularly atrocious. However, I think I did a good job for my female Wood Elf. They're usually hideous.
*Solstheim dragon mound.
2. Followers
Another notable Bethesda trait is the ability to have followers, both human and canine (you can see this in the Fallout games). There are, in total, 45 available followers in Skyrim. My top favorites are Serana (a vampire), and Garmr, (a death hound.) You can only recruit Serana and Garmr if you complete the vampire quest line. You must be a vampire in order to have them and also stay at Castle Volkihar, which is very amazing. Although you can only have one follower at a time, you can dismiss them and choose another one if you would like to. They are always willing to help.
*This is Garmr, an available canine companion. He's a very good boy.
*Serana is an available follower. You have to rescue her first and complete the vampire quests in order to recruit her. She is very helpful in my opinion.
3. Dialogue
Some of the dialogue in Skyrim is very repetitive, but it can also be entertaining, funny, and usually pretty helpful. That’s the fun of an open world rpg.
*Sorry for the low quality, but this is one of my favorite dialogue options.
*Another low resolution meme. One of Serana's problems is her repetitive dialogue about Skyrim's weather.
4. Factions and Daedric Princes
You can join practically every type of guild or organization in Skyrim. There is the Thieves Guild (you commit larceny), the Dark Brotherhood (assassins), The Companions (Protectors and Mercenaries), The College of Winterhold (school of magicians), The Bard College (also magicians but more centered towards healing magic and less vast than Winterhold), and many others. You can join all of them if you’d like, and they each have their own unique benefits and different companions and merchants. However, some of them can require you to make some horrible decisions, such as assassinating people that don't deserve to be killed. Another thing you can do is complete the quests of the Daedric Princes. There are 17 of them in the game, each representing a different skill or quality, most of them being evil. If you complete the specific Prince's quest, you usually receive powerful artifacts and the favor of the Princes.
*Some of the factions of Skyrim
*The Daedric Princes
5. Relationships
Another great aspect about Skyrim is that you can have a family! You can adopt only two orphaned children, given you have a home for them, and you can also marry various people, both male and female. Most of them are available as followers as well, which is usually how you meet them. For the marriage ceremony, it's rather short but in a rather nice temple. Your spouse also talks to you endearingly, which I really like because I’m sad and lonely. You can also give your children gifts, and sometimes they’ll give you gifts in return (one of my daughters actually gave me a diamond). You can also play tag with them or even discipline them, but they might hate you for that.
*A typical marriage ceremony in Skyrim.
6. Music
The music in Skyrim is my most favorite of all time. Jeremy Soule composed beautiful, heartfelt, and atmospheric music that goes perfectly well with the mood and setting of Skyrim. I linked some of my favorites below:
7. Combat
Skyrim’s combat is rather basic, but one of the great things is that you can use various weapons and upgrade them into the perfect killing devices with different power ups and different types of damage (shock, ice, fire, and poison). The player can choose from two-handed weapons, single handed weapons that can be dual wielded, daggers, staffs, and bows and arrows. The best weapons in my opinion are anything made of stahlrim, ebony blades, and my personal favorite, the Mace of Molag Bol. You can also wear tons of different armor. My favorites are listed below:
*The Mace of Molag Bal
*Daedric Armor
So, those are my favorite things about Skyrim. But now, I’m about to tell you the worst parts that may impede a lot of your progress.
1. Bugs
If you know anything about Skyrim, you’ve probably heard many players complaining about the bugs. Skyrim is famous for its unique bugs. One of my least favorite bugs is the locations. If you explore a place before you actually begin the quest pertaining to it, sometimes you can’t even enter the building. I discovered Castle Volkihar and tried to enter it before I even started the vampire quest. When I did start it, I could not enter the castle. One way you can counteract this is by using either a book or a plate. You pair it was one of your powers that allows you to shoot forward. If you put the plate near the door, you can burst through it. It’s very hard, and I really hated that. Another bug is characters and location markers. Sometimes the characters can get caught up into a repetitive dialogue glitch, so you can’t really talk to them anymore. Another thing is location markers…sometimes they are wrong and can get you VERY lost. There are other bugs, but I don’t want to get into all of that.
*Literally everything glitches in Skyrim.
*Famous horse glitch of Skyrim
2. Marriage
Many people probably aren’t annoyed by this, but I feel like the players should have more marriageable characters to choose from. In total, there are sixty-six characters that the player can ‘romance.’ It’s very easy to get married, since one must wear the Amulet of Mara, and if this is displayed on the player’s chest, all of the marriageable characters immediately call them out. However, I wish I could’ve married Byrnjolf, one of my favorite characters, but I was unable to because after I finished one of the quests, there were no dialogue options with him anymore. I ended up marrying someone else, and I found the marriage dialogue to be somewhat bland. I wish there were more people at my wedding. Only a couple of the people were at my wedding. I also feel like more dialogue during the ceremony would’ve made it feel more immersive, which is something Skyrim is famed for.
3. The Animals
I am sure other people have this problem, but whenever I am attacked by a dog, I have to end up killing it to save myself. The thing I find very hard is having to kill the cute, armored huskies because they are trained to attack vampires, and sadly, I chose to become a vampire to complete the Volkihar quests, which were very enjoyable and showed a whole new side to Skyrim. Although the player can have a variety of companions ranging from humans to dogs, one of the harsh realities is that the dogs and even your human companions CANNOT respawn unless you make a quicksave. The player also cannot pet the dogs or the death hounds, unlike Bethesda’s other game franchise Fallout, where you can interact with your canine companions.
*Who could kill this little man? Monsters, that's who.
4. Parts of the Main Storyline
I know a lot of people that agree with me on this, but if you join the Blades, another group of people, they command you to kill Paarthurnax, everyone’s favorite dragon tutor, so he can pay for his crimes against humanity that happened thousands of years ago. However, Paarthurnax did repent for his crimes in my personal opinion, so I installed a mod that allowed me to finish the Blades quest without ‘taking care’ of Paarthurnax. Another thing I didn’t like was The Dark Brotherhood’s climatic quest, which was to kill the Emperor of Tamriel (basically Skyrim). He was a nice and honorable man, so I was quite hesitant to do that, but I did it nonetheless in order to complete the quests. Some of the choices in the game go against the player’s morals, which makes the important decisions very difficult to complete. I feel like there should be more options when it comes to the player choosing their own fate and the fates of others.
*A dragon of wisdom.
Overall, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a very complicated game with a little bit of everything. Although it's a bit older, it has withstood the test of time and become one of the most popular fantasy games in the world. As for the rating, I give it a 7.5 out of 10, due to the bugs and quest line. But for beginners, I highly recommend it, and I guarantee that you will enjoy it as much as I did.
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