RIANNA SEELIG
Staff Writer
The video game world is abuzz over the much-anticipated release of “Fallout 4.” The countdown to Nov. 10 was a grueling one as fans patiently awaited the next game in the popular survival franchise.
For those out there who are unfamiliar with the franchise, “Fallout” is a single-player, post-apocalyptic role-playing game where players must attempt to navigate and survive a world decimated by nuclear war.
The entire franchise is an interactive open-world that utilizes exploration. Players spend the majority of the game in FPS mode — “first person shooter” for those of you not hip to gaming lingo — on high alert, awaiting the inevitable chaos of the world.
The Fallout series was developed by Bethesda Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. “Fallout 4” is the fifth installment in the series and offers new mod features on the Xbox One. The official game review went live on IGN (Imagine Games Network, a website with gaming news) on Nov. 9.
Bethesda Studios is also the creator of the popular open-world RPG (roll playing game) franchise “The Elder Scrolls,” which includes the popular “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.” Bethesda released a statement saying it feels “Fallout 4” has the potential to top “Skyrim” — something completely unthinkable to most gamers.
Pete Hines, Bethesda’s vice president of public relations, was quoted by multiple media outlets saying “Fallout 4” could be “our biggest release ever. But we will see.”
If the release of “Fallout 4” proves more successful than “Skyrim,” a game that sold 3.5 million copies in its first 48 hours, the gaming world will surely be stunned.
During E3 2015 — The Electronic Entertainment Expo, a video-gaming conference where key players in the gaming industry come together to debut, showcase and interact with upcoming games — it was revealed that “Fallout 4” would feature a character who had hidden in a vault (Vault 111) during the nuclear war and has finally emerged after 200 years.
Also at E3, over 30 minutes of trailer and game time was revealed, highlighting the advanced graphics complete with face-sculpting, gun customization, lack of level cap (quite possibly every gamer’s dream) and interactive storyline. These previews marked the world premiere of the game.
Fans of the franchise have been ecstatic over the features the most recent installment possesses: exclusive limited edition Xbox One controllers, special edition gaming bundles such as the “Fallout 4 Nuke Pack,” the “Gold Edition” of the game and the “Fallout 4 Mighty Bundle,” and interactive accessories for gameplay.
Seemingly the biggest source of excitement is the “Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition.” A Pip-Boy is an electronic device one can wear in the game on their wrist that contains information such as maps, stats, and data concerning found materials.
For the first time in Fallout history, players can purchase actual Pip-Boys for themselves and wear them as they play. Gamers are essentially purchasing a holder for smartphones that can then be synced with the game with an app. The device replicates the in-game model and allows players to manage their in-game inventory and stats.
Gameplay in Fallout 4, although similar to its predecessors, has advanced beyond belief. Players now have the ability to craft and deconstruct the world around them as they see fit. They can also collect or “scrap” different found materials, allowing them to be in complete control of how they rebuild a world destroyed by war.
Due to the craftsmanship now available during gameplay, players are also able to create environments more conducive to merchants and NPC’s (non-player characters) — an awesome feature for anyone who is a fan of open-world gaming.
Fallout 4 is available in-stores and on STEAM, and was officially released on Nov. 10. The game was released for Xbox One, Playstation 4 (though it does not feature the same mods as an Xbox platform) and PC.
Bethesda recently announced a PC bundle containing the entire franchise plus two bonus games: Tactic and Las Vegas. The game, on all platforms, is rated M for blood and gore, intense violence, strong language and use of drugs.
Bring it.