Should I Play Fallout 76 In 2024?

It’s safe to say that Fallout 76 had a “less than spectacular” launch back in 2018. Lackluster review scores with a general sense of emptiness plagued the game for several years. However, Bethesda was vigilant, pushing out content updates in regular intervals. Nowadays, the game is arguably in the best state it’s ever been. The most recent update in December added expeditions to Atlantic City, and future updates plan on expanding that area even further.

But is it all enough? Several years of consecutive updates mean Fallout 76 isn’t the same game it started out to be – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. So, if you’re a new (or returning) player, is it worth it to jump into the Wastelands of Fallout 76 here in 2024?

Fallout 76: The Story

To new players, it may seem daunting to jump into a new multiplayer game; more so one with a history like Fallout 76 has. But, as of this writing, if you’re looking for a solid “prequel” to the Fallout franchise, Fallout 76 more than delivers.

Picture the scene: it’s 25 years after the Great War, and Vault 76’s residents are let outside to repopulate the Wastelands. Unlike other vaults, Vault 76 was a ‘normal vault’ – no tricks, no experiments. As you exit, you make contact with the Vault’s Overseer, who takes the player on a tour of the Wasteland as she (and you) try to make sense of what happened.

Through several expansions, settlers start to return to Appalachia, and various factions set up camp. Raiders, Settlers, and the Brotherhood of Steel all make their stance in Appalachia known as you work with them to further their interests (or stymie them).

Post-story, the game switches to a more typical “endgame” grind. There are legendary weapons and armor to collect, daily and weekly missions, and a battle-pass style SCOREboard that rewards you with cosmetics and items.

But Is Fallout 76 Good?

In my opinion: yes. It’s absolutely worth playing Fallout 76 in 2024. Here’s a few reasons why:

The World is MASSIVE

Fallout 76’s map is bigger than many of the other Fallout games. This means there are tons of unique areas to explore and discover, and no shortage of sightseeing opportunities. Appalachia itself is an area steeped in lore and history that the game pulls heavily from.

The Community is Fantastic

Players typically have nothing but positive stories about interacting with other players. You can visit other players’ C.A.M.Ps to buy items and hang out, and there are events every 20 minutes that typically require more players to complete. Every community has bad eggs, but Fallout 76’s community is mostly helpful, especially to new players.

Updates Are Frequent

Bethesda does a great job keeping new features flowing into Fallout 76. Updates happen quarterly, with bug fixes rolling out even more regularly. Annual, larger updates are also common and may include new areas, expeditions (“raids”, sort of), or new gameplay options.

Fallout 76 is good, but not perfect.

All of the above said, there are still a few things that are constants among feedback for Fallout 76:

Bugs: it’s a Bethesda game, and bugs definitely exist. The update cadence means that a bug may be around for a while before it gets patched.
Endgame: The endgame is fun, but more endgame options need to be prioritized. There are three “world bosses” currently and a smattering of “expeditions” to be run, and while these are fun, players are often left wanting more.
Necessity for Multiplayer: You can theoretically finish the Fallout 76 “story” without interacting with a single player. However, the major server events usually require multiple players to finish successfully.

The Verdict

Although there are a few small issues with the game, Fallout 76 is in the best place it’s been in several years. With ongoing updates, new expansions, and new gameplay loops being introduced regularly, it’s worth a playthrough for anyone who loves the Fallout franchise. And with the new expansion coming in Spring 2024, the world of Appalachia extends further into Atlantic City and beyond.

My opinion: give it a shot. You’ll be glad you did.