GamesRPGFalloutFallout 76 just got bigger to make way for an extra vault, 12 new quests, and more Vault-Tec schemingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGFalloutFallout 76 just got bigger to make way for an extra vault, 12 new quests, and more Vault-Tec schemingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
The opening of the vault door is the most iconic image in Fallout – a Biblical rolling back of the stone that signifies rebirth into the changed world outside. Typically, though, the door stays on its hinges. It isn’t usually blasted across 100 miles of West Virginian sky at high velocity, like the cap from a shaken-up bottle of Nuka-Cola.
When the flying door finally comes in to land, it’s far from home. Like a steel meteor, it has plowed into the Interstate 59 near Flatwoods, searing a deep gouge into the road from south to north. Approaching on foot, we see two yellow digits – a six and a three – still emblazoned in nuke-proof paint on its front. Since the popping of a new vault is always a cause for celebration, whatever the circumstances, we trace the door back to its origin point, deep into the southernmost part of the map. There, we begin to discover the fate of Vault 63’s dwellers, and explore the surrounding Skyline Valley.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games of the year and beyond. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games of the year and beyond. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games of the year and beyond. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games of the year and beyond. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games of the year and beyond. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Summer Games PreviewWe are diving deep into the hottest upcoming games of the year and beyond. To find all of our coverage, visitGamesRadar’s What’s Hot 2024 hub.
Skylines and turnstiles
(Image credit: Bethesda)
We’re so back(Image credit: Bethesda )After watching the Fallout TV show, I’ve never been so ready to return to the wasteland in Fallout 4
We’re so back
(Image credit: Bethesda )After watching the Fallout TV show, I’ve never been so ready to return to the wasteland in Fallout 4
(Image credit: Bethesda )
After watching the Fallout TV show, I’ve never been so ready to return to the wasteland in Fallout 4
In fact, Skyline Valley’s story seems perfectly tuned to satisfy newcomers obsessed with the Vault-Tec machinations of the Amazon TV show. The main quest puts you in direct contact with a Vault-Tec board member: one Hugo Stolz, the ghoul overseer of Vault 63. He’s a fascinating figure. A rare central European in Fallout’s world, he made his fortune pre-war in the exports business, and ordered the building of a vault directly beneath his manor home. Yet its construction was so ambitious that Vault 63 was unfinished when the bombs fell; exposed to the unfiltered air, the vault dwellers who survived became ghouls.
You might think living through a parable of greed and ambition might give a man pause, but not Stolz. The vault’s experiments in weather control have since wreaked further havoc in the region, stirring the sky above Shenandoah National Park into a swirling, angry vortex, and turning many of the surviving residents into electrified hostiles, fizzing with an incurable madness.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
In the aftermath, Stolz solicits your help, looking at you as a kind of living R&D project. His optimism and curiosity are infectious, even when the consequences of his mistakes are written across his fractured face – which appears to crackle with a barely-contained charge. Of course, you’re free to draw your own conclusions about Stolz, and ultimately to befriend or betray him as you see fit.
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I particularly enjoyed poking around the Slumber Mill Motel, which features an enormous rooftop lumberjack mascot, and some legitimately funny environmental storytelling. While somebody has painted the words ‘NOTHING IS REAL’ on the storage room wall, others have chimed in with eye-rolling commentary – and one note even offers a cap reward for hunting down the tedious edgelord responsible.
War never changes, but Fallout 76 has
(Image credit: Bethesda)
Skyline Valley’s story seems perfectly tuned to satisfy newcomers obsessed with the Vault-Tec machinations of the Amazon TV show.
Skyline Valley’s story seems perfectly tuned to satisfy newcomers obsessed with the Vault-Tec machinations of the Amazon TV show.
“They’ve always been really popular games,” creative director Jon Rush says. “What the show has done is cast this turbocharged light on it, so now it’s become a cultural phenomenon in its own right. We anticipated more folks coming in, and we were right. Folks came back and they were like, ‘This place looks completely different. This is cool.'”
It would be easy to credit the Amazon show with re-energizing Fallout 76. But really, it was both healthy and popular before the TV phenomenon came along – no longer a struggling MMO, but a game that was already meeting the wants of its community. “Over six years, all that work, we know it’s been awesome and it’s been fun,” Rush says.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
Evidently, though, Bethesda is ready to capitalize on the sudden boost to its playerbase. More than half a decade in, its team is making “smarter decisions that affect the game more broadly, rather than decisions that are focused on small things that take up a ton of time.” Skyline Valley is a result of that kind of thinking, not only bringing new exploration opportunities to the game, but lots of potential building sites for campers too.
Beyond the new quests, Bethesda has more plans for Skyline Valley coming this Fall. With the Milepost Zero update, you’ll be able to join the Blue Ridge Caravan Company as a guard. In that role, you’ll protect Brahmin and the goods they’re carrying from attacks along the trade routes of Skyline Drive. “What’s great about these is they don’t take a lot of time,” Rush says. “It’s something that can be done in between events while you’re waiting. And it does open the door for a lot of those random elements.” If you’ve ever traveled with a caravan between camps in Fallout 4, you’ll know they’re the perfect way to trigger unplanned interactions out in the wilderness. What’s more, as Rush points out, “it’s so thematic to Fallout. Caravaning has been in Fallout since Fallout 1.”
Successfully running missions will see you unlock a caravan outpost of your own. The space is analogous to Skyrim’s houses, and can be decorated and populated with specialty vendors from outside West Virginia.
Speaking of: the open world of West Virginia is right next door to Washington DC and the setting of Fallout 3. Might the MMO team take us back there sometime in the future? “We’re real close to the Capital Wasteland,” Rush says. “I think the catch there would be how to make it part of the map. It’s something I would like to do. There’s something interesting about that, because we’re so much further back in time than Fallout 3. I certainly love Fallout 3, so you never know.”
Check out our list of thebest Fallout gamesand see where your favorites line up.
TOPICSSummer Game Fest
TOPICS
CATEGORIESXbox Series XXbox OnePS4PC GamingPlatformsXboxPlayStation
CATEGORIES
PRODUCTSFallout 76Summer Game Fest 2024
PRODUCTS
More about falloutYears before Fallout 76, the RPG’s co-creator had doubts about making a Fallout MMO because it “wasn’t designed to have other players"Fallout creator wishes he made different genres in the RPG series like a “really good FPS” similar to Borderlands or an adventure game all about stealing from VaultsLatestNosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted oneSee more latest►
More about falloutYears before Fallout 76, the RPG’s co-creator had doubts about making a Fallout MMO because it “wasn’t designed to have other players"Fallout creator wishes he made different genres in the RPG series like a “really good FPS” similar to Borderlands or an adventure game all about stealing from VaultsLatestNosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted oneSee more latest►
More about falloutYears before Fallout 76, the RPG’s co-creator had doubts about making a Fallout MMO because it “wasn’t designed to have other players"Fallout creator wishes he made different genres in the RPG series like a “really good FPS” similar to Borderlands or an adventure game all about stealing from Vaults
More about fallout
Years before Fallout 76, the RPG’s co-creator had doubts about making a Fallout MMO because it “wasn’t designed to have other players"Fallout creator wishes he made different genres in the RPG series like a “really good FPS” similar to Borderlands or an adventure game all about stealing from Vaults
Years before Fallout 76, the RPG’s co-creator had doubts about making a Fallout MMO because it “wasn’t designed to have other players”
Years before Fallout 76, the RPG’s co-creator had doubts about making a Fallout MMO because it “wasn’t designed to have other players”
Fallout creator wishes he made different genres in the RPG series like a “really good FPS” similar to Borderlands or an adventure game all about stealing from Vaults
Fallout creator wishes he made different genres in the RPG series like a “really good FPS” similar to Borderlands or an adventure game all about stealing from Vaults
LatestNosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted oneSee more latest►
Latest
Nosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted one
Nosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted one
Nosferatu should “feel like a love triangle” according to star Lily-Rose Depp, albeit a twisted one
See more latest►
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”