10 Biggest Changes In Fallout 4’s Next-Gen Update

Summary

• Fallout 4
  ‘s next-gen update brings 4K 60 FPS for PS5 & Xbox, with new performance options.
• Enclave Remnants finally directly includes the Enclave in the game, along with armor and skins.
• Various bug fixes address some long-standing issues in
  Fallout 4.

Fallout 4 has finally received a next-gen update to squeeze in some improvements on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and it also makes some key changes and additions that are reflected on PC as well. Released in 2015 for the prior console generation, Fallout 4 remains the most recent mainline installment in the post-apocalyptic RPG series. Anyone looking to scratch the Fallout itch has no choice but to stick with Fallout 4 or previous games in the series, so the prospect of getting an update could be a tantalizing one.

The next-gen update for Fallout 4 isn’t all purely positive fixes or additions, as it’s capable of introducing its own problems to the game. It also spells trouble for mods, which can have compatibility issues with the changes. Nonetheless, there’s a lot that newcomers and long-time veterans alike might be able to get out of it, from a variety of fixes to long-standing bugs to the enhanced options for performance. These changes can be particularly welcome when they address problems with save files, softlocks, and more, lowering the odds of a Fallout 4 playthrough being ruined.

10 Codsworth Gets Fallout 4 Next-Gen Fixes

A Memorable Character Becomes Less Buggy

The robot Codsworth is one of the most memorable Fallout 4 characters, but it’s not always for the right reasons. As an old model that’s managed to survive the disastrous events of Fallout‘s apocalypse, it sometimes seems that his hardware really is a bit out-of-date. Codsworth bugs are a problematic part of the game, and although they can sometimes be amusing, it definitely ends up being more of a pain than anything else.

The Fallout 4 next-gen patch list mentions a bug where Codsworth ends up broken on the ground after fast travel as one fix, and the PS5 receives a patch for a presumably unique issue where Codsworth doesn’t show up when he should in the intro. These Fallout 4 Codsworth fixes probably won’t stop him from ever encountering problems in the game, but they could go a long way in generally making for a better overall experience.

Sort Through DLC & Stay On Top Of What’s Available

Between the new Creation Club content being added in the next-gen update and other additions like DLC, it’s easy to end up with a lot of add-ons to Fallout 4 without ever diving into modding. A new Installed Content menu makes it easier to keep track of all of this, listing out everything that’s been added to the local copy of the game. It’s accessible from the pause menu screen, sitting between the Load and Mods options, and can be seen along with other new additions in a YouTube video from NorZZa.

In the Installed Content menu, each item contains a description and an indicator of where it can be accessed within the world of Fallout 4. This can be especially helpful for the new Creation Club content, as dropping in to find it could otherwise be tricky. It’s also a quick and easy barometer to see if the next-gen update has been installed, since the menu addition won’t be present on older versions of the game.

8 Ultrawide Support In The Next-Gen Fallout 4 Update

Fallout Fits Better On Newer Screens

Changes in the next-gen update for Fallout 4 tend to be more targeted at console users than those on PC, but one major exception is the addition of ultrawide support. It’s not uncommon to make use of a gaming monitor with a laterally ambitious 21:9 aspect ratio, but not every game can take advantage of this kind of display. Fallout 4 is one game that can benefit a lot from officially supporting ultrawide, as the potential for added immersion goes perfectly with the wasteland exploration experience.

Unfortunately, as showcased in a tweet from Tyler McVicker, it seems like the ultrawide support might still need a bit of work. An image shows UI that’s stretched rather than properly scaled, which is definitely distracting. With more patches and updates likely on the way, hopefully ultrawide support will be more consistent soon.

7 Fallout 4 Adds Spooky Fun With The Halloween Workshop

Celebrate An Underappreciated Holiday

Despite the long-standing presence of ghouls in the Fallout series, the games have never had much of a Halloween touch, but the Fallout 4 next-gen update is changing that. A Halloween Workshop addition sees the New England Technocrat Society host a spooky holiday party, which could be an exciting event to either check out now or save for the autumnal season.

The quest in question, “All Hallow’s Eve,” can be accessed simply by tuning into a signal on the Pip-Boy. Attending is definitely worth it, as it brings 38 Halloween-themed props to the table for settlement decoration. Even for players who aren’t returning to the game, it could be fun to see what others end up creating with this new flavor of ghastly goods, and there’s no doubt that the Fallout 4 community won’t take long to cook up some exciting stuff.

6 Dynamic Resolution Fixes On Xbox

Artifacting Stability & Other Visual Improvements

Unlike the PS5, the Xbox Series X did already have an FPS boost option in Fallout 4, which made it possible to run the game at 60 FPS with a 1080p resolution. Although this isn’t as impressive as the performance mode added by the next-gen update, it definitely counted for something, representing the only way to crank up Fallout 4‘s framerate on console. There was a big caveat, however, in that the 1080p wasn’t very good at all.

To maintain the 60 FPS target, Fallout 4 made use of dynamic resolution scaling on Xbox, and it had some key problems that made it more distracting than it should have been. Artifacting could result in clear pixelation and a visual experience that broke immersion, a major trade-off for the performance boost. The next-gen update fixes these problems associated with dynamic resolution scaling, resulting in a more cohesive look for the game.

5 Fallout 4 Now Has Steam Deck Verification

Stability In Its Handheld Form

The other big change for the PC version of Fallout 4 is official Steam Deck verification, which should theoretically make the game stable to play on Valve’s handheld. Steam Deck compatibility and performance can be inconsistent with titles available on the platform, as hardware restrictions and a Linux basis (that can be switched over to Windows when necessary) pose potential challenges. Fallout 4 has always managed stable performance on the Steam Deck, but the lack of official support could cause some issues.

Unfortunately, like ultrawide support, Fallout 4‘s Steam Deck version is currently encountering some issues that show the limits of the next-gen update. The commitment to official support should hopefully mean that this situation sees improvements in the future, but at the moment, PC players simply aren’t getting the best parts of the update.

4 Fallout 4 Addresses The Vault 111 Door Bug

Open Up Into The Game’s Enthralling Narrative

Bethesda games tend to feature plenty of bugs, but it’s not all that surprising that games with huge worlds and complex possibilities run into hang-ups here and there. What does stick out, however, is when an issue can be found in a key area or narrative moment, which ends up being both more frustrating and less excusable than a problem relegated to a random dark corner.

Fallout 4 shakes up the series formula a bit with a pre-apocalypse opening, but once that’s completed, it moves to a sequence inside of Vault 111 that eventually leads the Vault Dweller back outside. Opening the Vault 111 door should be a big moment, but in some cases it’s been quite the opposite, as an unfortunately common bug makes the door simply stay shut. The Fallout 4 next-gen update finally addresses this, ensuring that the game can actually get off on the right foot.

3 A Makeshift Weapon Pack Celebrates Unusual Combat

Get Creative While Battling In The Wasteland

Fallout 4‘s weaponry has often been mostly gun-centric, a focus that’s more present than ever in Fallout 4 with an enhanced approach to first-person shooter gameplay. There’s also a fair bit of melee on display, although mostly just in the form of bladed weapons. In an idiosyncratic scrapyard world, however, diving into other options has even more potential for fun.

The Makeshift Weapon pack is a Fallout 4 Creation Club addition that tosses some unusual tools into the mix. Some of these are fun but relatively normal, like a nail gun, but a variant of the Fat Man nuke launcher that fires piggy banks instead is definitely the zaniest standout. It also comes with a new quest called “When Pigs Fly” that needs to be taken on in order to make this incredibly unique acquisition.

2 Enclave Remnants Adds New Armor, Skins & More

A Return To Form For An Iconic Faction

Arguably the most exciting content addition in the next-gen update is Enclave Remnants, which finally incorporates the Enclave directly into the Fallout 4 experience. This classic faction is only mentioned in the game, breaking from past titles where the Enclave has been a major focus. It makes sense, considering the faction has essentially been annihilated multiple times, but it’s still easy to miss them for long-time veterans of the post-apocalypse.

Enclave Remnants dives into the last lingering pieces of the Enclave and presents a new conflict with them, along with a selection of new armor, skins, and more, appropriately themed around the faction. A particularly interesting note is that other Enclave equipment mods installed through Creation Club apparently may end up being used by the Enclave, which might even increase the challenge if they have access to anything exceptionally powerful.

1 Fallout 4 Is Now 4K 60 FPS On Consoles

Taking Advantage Of Current-Gen Hardware

The most exciting change for many Fallout 4 players might be the update to the game’s performance options on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, which finally makes 60 FPS performance available outside the PC version. The new performance mode outputs a 4K resolution with dynamic resolution scaling, potentially sacrificing some clarity at times to hit the new target. It’s still a resolution boost as well, as the previous cap was at 1440p.

For those more focused on cutting edge visuals, the quality mode sticks to 30 FPS but boosts the graphical settings to the equivalent of Ultra on PC and nixes the need for dynamic resolution scaling. Either of these two options improves on what was previously available, so it’s a win-win situation when it comes to finally taking advantage of current generation hardware.

Sources: NorZZa/YouTube, Tyler McVicker/Twitter