8 Fallout 4 Features That Made Wandering The Wasteland Feel Relaxing

Few titles can offer the same experience as Fallout 4 when it comes to the endless possibilities it has. If you think about it, a post-apocalyptic world where scavenging is one of the main ways to make money and gather resources to survive is a concept that can either work very well, or be downright boring—this game is clearly the former.

Fallout 4's weird unobtainable items, along with its daunting quests and intricate characters make for an exciting experience. However, even in the chaos of the wasteland, one can find moments of peace and serenity. Here are some features that can help make Fallout 4 quite relaxing.

8 Settlements and Community

There's Something Relaxing About Building a Society

When you think of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, I bet the last thing that comes to your mind is the idea of building a settlement full of friendly neighbors and a strong sense of community. However, this is not only achievable, but also quite a relaxing experience, as you are responsible for overseeing the wellbeing of those under your care and building improvements consistently.

Granted, sometimes you'll have to defend your settlements from external threats, and this is not at all relaxing, but when this is not the case, the whole experience is quite soothing—at least for me. And if you ever have trouble dealing with pests, getting some of Fallout 4's best weapons will surely help.

7 Diamond City Radio

It Plays One Hit After Another

The whole concept around Fallout 4 is strange to begin with (in a good way). I've always found retrofuturism quite interesting and different from many other styles used in video games and other media. Walking around the wasteland while a few 1950s oldies are being broadcast from the Diamond City Radio to your trusty Pip Boy is something everyone should experience at least once.

There's just something relaxing about the contrast of hearing Elton Britt's silky voice in "Uranium Fever" while scavenging for whatever you can find in order to survive and keeping your eyes open for signs of trouble amidst a decaying wasteland.

6 The Aquaboy/Aquagirl Perk

Exploring Water Bodies Has a Soothing Effect

Perks in Fallout 4 are undoubtedly useful and can help turn a challenging experience into a walk in the park when chosen and used correctly. While some of them focus on intelligence, bartering abilities, and even shooting skills, there are others, like the Aquaboy/Aquagirl one, that are much more aimed towards exploration and accessibility.

In my opinion, this is one of the best perks in Fallout 4, as it not only eliminates the risk of drowning underwater, but it also gets rid of the negative effects of radiation damage while swimming. For me, being able to explore the water bodies of the Boston Commonwealth without having to worry about getting sick or drowning is quite soothing.

5 Dogmeat's Companionship

Sometimes Silence is Best

People are very different from each other, so some might prefer to explore the wasteland with a companion that has a nice topic of conversation to pass the time, while others might prefer absolute silence to focus and relax. For the latter group, Dogmeat is the ideal partner, as he most definitely won't strike up a conversation out of nowhere or make a witty comment here and there, but will still make you feel like you're not a lone wolf.

There's something interesting about the Sole Survivor traversing the Boston Commonwealth with no one by their side except for their 4-legged best friend. And that's exactly why I almost always choose to travel with Dogmeat.

4 The Freedom to Explore

An Open-World Staple, But Still Quite Welcome

Freedom to explore the world is obviously not something Fallout 4 invented or did first. But even if it's a staple mechanic in the open-world genre, the way this game tackles it is not only fun, but also highly rewarding. Since most of the time you'll be walking among ruins, trees, and abandoned vehicles, there's no telling when you'll find something surprising or valuable. Sure, exploring the wilderness while being chased by a furious Yao Guai is far from relaxing, but you can definitely find peace in the quiet moments.

And if that wasn't enough, as a reward for a peaceful stroll through the Boston Commonwealth, you'll oftentimes find yourself stumbling across some of the rarest items in Fallout 4, interesting enemies, valuable loot, and neat collectibles.

3 Safe Havens

It's Nice to Walk Around Without Having to Think About Survival

Most people who play games set in post-apocalyptic worlds are clearly not looking to find themselves in a constant state of comfort and relief. But even while chasing a thrill, being able to take a breather is always welcome. This is where safe havens like Diamond City or some of the best settlements in Fallout 4 come into play.

Personally, I like a challenge and making my way through the Boston Commonwealth using lead and fire. However, now and then, I also appreciate having the possibility to enter a barricaded city or populated area where I know the only threat is the merchants' high prices. I still remember the first time I made my way to Diamond City, and the relief I felt from seeing civilization and commerce after walking in the wilderness for a while.

2 Timeless Progression

No Real Consequences for Delaying Quests and Tasks

One of the things I personally dislike about some open-world games is that there are often quests that expire if you don't take them on within a certain period. To me, this completely derails what the open-world experience should be, as the whole point is to have the freedom to explore and discover the environment without that kind of pressure.

By not having time constraints of this kind, you can unveil some rare items, come across dangerous foes, and take on secondary quests however you like, without having to worry about someone dying or missing out on an important task just because you took too long to reach a certain destination.

1 Finding Collectibles

There's Plenty to Read and Discover in the Boston Commonwealth

Lastly, there are collectibles. While some people are all about the action and focus their traveling experience on finding every foe they can come across to engage in battle with them, others like to take things a bit slower and explore every nook and cranny to locate valuables. For the latter, the process of searching for and finding collectibles can be extremely relaxing.

A great example of interesting collectibles are the various magazine issues of Grognak the Barbarian, and the Vault-Tec Bobbleheads, which provide additional stats that can help you build some of Fallout 4's most overpowered builds.