9 Reasons Fallout 4 is Still Such an Addictive Open-World RPG

The Fallout franchise has been around for several decades at this point, making it one of the longest-standing and most popular of its genre. While older titles in the franchise are certainly well-known and fan-favorites, I would argue that Fallout 4 is the one that gave this post-apocalyptic world the mainstream success it enjoys today.

The game was released in 2015, so it is, by no means, new. Yet, it can still compete with more modern titles in various areas. Fallout 4's strong character builds, interesting wasteland setting, and complex companion relationships are only some of the things that make it stand out even today. Here are some other reasons why Fallout 4 is still a very addictive title.

9 Organic Exploration is Rewarded

Scavenging The Wasteland Pays Off

While playing Fallout 4, you'll probably get lost more than once, even when you have your trusty map handy. And while this might sound like a death sentence in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, more often than not, you'll be handsomely rewarded by exploring the far reaches of the Boston Commonwealth.

There's no shortage of surprises, challenges, and dangers to be found as you make your way through the unforgiving wilderness this title has to offer. Whether it is one of Fallout 4's rarest items, a legendary weapon, or a secret boss, the time spent wandering around will surely be worth your while.

8 Building Settlements

One of the things most loners probably miss when it comes to exploring the Boston Commonwealth is that sense of community that used to be present before the bombs dropped. While the lone wolf lifestyle is definitely attractive, the chances of survival for any given individual in such an unforgiving world are greatly increased when becoming part of a group.

This is why settlements are so important, as being able to manage and build your own is one of the things that makes this title so addictive even today. Settlements can be attacked from time to time, and while this can be nerve-wracking, using some of Fallout 4's most powerful unique weapons is sure to make short work of any invaders.

7 The Junk Economy

Everything's Worth Something When The World Ends

They say one man's trash is another man's treasure. And while this might be true in our non-post-apocalyptic reality, it's not the case in the Boston Commonwealth, where everything (or almost everything) can be used for trade. While exploring, you'll often find all sorts of junk that might not be worth a pretty penny, but can either be used for scrapping and building more valuable stuff, or sold to merchants at designated spots.

Moreover, there are some great perks in Fallout 4 that grant bonuses when selling all sorts of items, and discounts when purchasing them, helping you increase your wealth while engaging in commercial activities.

6 The Power Armor

Talk About Feeling Overpowered

Although I'd argue that Fallout 4 is one of the best installments in the franchise, it sadly cannot claim to have implemented one of the best elements in the game: the Power Armor. The first time you get to use this weapon of mass destruction is in the early stages of the game, where you get to kill your first Deathclaw.

The Power Armor makes the encounter feel dangerous, but manageable, which is not the case when you come across any other Deathclaw while unarmored—that is, unless you have one of the strongest weapons in Fallout 4. All in all, the Power Armor is a great advantage to have, and if you have enough Fusion Cores to keep it running, you'll quickly find the gameplay experience becomes even more addictive.

5 Weapon Variety and Customization

The Possibilities Are Nearly Endless

Surviving in a post-apocalyptic wasteland is no easy task, so you'll have to either keep changing your strategy often, or make sure your weapons are upgraded to the max and have the hardest-hitting customization options equipped. One of the things that make Fallout 4 so addictive is that you can play it in almost any way you want.

Do you like staying in the shadows and sniping your foes from a distance with superhuman accuracy? You got it. Do you prefer squashing them like bugs with a rocket-powered sledgehammer like a retrofuturistic Viking Berserker? No problem. The weapon variety and customization options within this title make for a very entertaining experience, where the sky's the limit when it comes to how you want to play it.

4 V.A.T.S.

The Targeting System We All Know and Love

V.A.T.S. is arguably one of Fallout's most notable, fun, and exploitable mechanics in the franchise, and I'll die on that hill. Shooting your way through the Boston Commonwealth is fun, sure, but being able to decide where you're shooting your enemies to inflict maximum damage is a completely different beast that greatly elevates the experience.

Although V.A.T.S. existed before Fallout 4 was released, I'd argue this title's version is solid. Maybe it doesn't allow targeting certain body parts that previous titles did, but there are still tons of possibilities and ways to deal critical damage to enemies all across the wasteland.

3 Survival Mode

For Those Who Want a True Challenge

As my grandmother used to say, there are different strokes for different folks, and when it comes to playing Fallout 4, the saying applies wonderfully. Some people like to be able to explore the Boston Commonwealth without having to worry about getting one-shotted by a stray bullet or being devoured by a Yao Guai with ease, whereas others like facing a challenge and living on edge.

Both approaches are respectable, but specifically for those in the latter group, Survival Mode is where it's at. In this mode, ammo has weight, fast travel is disabled, you can't save manually or rely on autosaves, and more. This elevates the difficulty level and makes surviving in the wasteland feel a lot more realistic.

2 Companion Variety

Exploring is Never Boring With the Right Company

If there's one thing Bethesda either gets outstandingly well, or disastrously wrong, it's Companions. As you explore the Boston Commonwealth as the Sole Survivor, you'll come across various NPCs that you can ask to tag along on your journey. Some of them are actually pretty neat, whereas others will make you wish you'd never encountered them in the first place.

Similarly to other Bethesda games, you can choose to romance a certain Companion if you take a liking to them. It will take a while, and you'll have to make the right dialogue choices, but if your character's heart is truly in it, it will be well worth it. Choosing the best weapons for Companions in Fallout 4 can turn your Companions from a nuisance to an absolute menace that can turn the tides of almost any unfriendly encounter.

1 Diamond City Radio

Oldies But Goodies

Lastly, I couldn't finish this list without talking about the wonderful Diamond City Radio broadcast. With hits like "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire", "Uranium Fever", or "Pistol Packin' Mama", traversing the wasteland becomes a very entertaining experience. There's just something captivating about seeing the remnants of a retrofuturistic civilization while listening to a good old 1950s tune.

Diamond City Radio completely changed my taste in music and showed me some oldies that I now have on my playlist to play frequently. Whether I'm gunning down a ferocious Deathclaw clad in power armor, or preparing to mow down an entire Super Mutant camp with a Fat Boy, I always make sure "The Ink Spots" are playing in the background.