Fallout 76 – Four Months On

Fallout 76 is an online multiplayer game published by Bethesda Studios.

It’s safe to say that Fallout 76 launched with a rather loud thud, compared to the fanfare and confetti that Bethesda wanted it to have. And its also safe to say that since its release Fallout 76 has improved dramatically and is even adding new content. But, is it enough? Have Bethesda fixed the game in the few months since its release?

One of the key criticisms of Fallout 76 when it first launched was the carry/storage capacity and this has largely been addressed. Whilst your carry capacity is still linked to your level and what perk cards you have, the storage capacity has been upgraded from 400kg to 800kg. This is a big step due to the fact that a lot of Fallout 76 relies on storing resources and equipment to build new things as well as leveling up your weapons and gear. So, whilst this storage capacity may seem like a trivial issue, it is something that was causing a lot of players hassle, and turned a few off from the game entirely.

Fallout 76’s storage capacity was limited to 400kg for a long time after launch.

Another criticism for the game was the server issues, whether it be lag, failing to load in items or just kicking you out of one entirely and this has, largely, been fixed. I played for quite a while yesterday and didn’t experience any server issues bar a few laggy areas, but I believe that was more down to my wi-fi than to the game servers themselves. However, it should be noted that because this is a consistently online game, there will always be some minor server issues due to the amount of people that might want to be online at one time, but this is something Bethesda will be constantly working on.

Fallout 76 players would often receive this message during the early days of the game.

The third biggest issue that has since been resolved, since launch for Fallout 76, was AI responses. In the early days of the game, enemies would often not notice you, run away from you or you wouldn’t be able to hit them despite being up-close to them. Thankfully, this has been mostly fixed with enemies now running towards you when you’re noticed by them and your hits are registered on them dealing the damage that it should. But, as with the other criticisms, these issues can still crop up every now and then, especially the hit registers, during my previous gameplay I did experience a few occasions when my hits weren’t registered on the enemy which led to me being damaged more than I should.

Players would experience a variety of AI bugs.

But what about new additions? Well, since the original release, Bethesda have now released their first set of DLC. This, and all up-coming DLC, will be free to players of the game and will include a lot of content. For example, the first load of content will run between March and April and will feature new drinks and methods of creating drinks, centring on a brewing system to make alcoholic beverages that will have additional bonuses. During this DLC release window, there will also be a new ‘Survival’ game mode launched and some new Vaults being opened and ready to be explored.

Fallout 76’s current DLC roadmap for 2019

It’s safe to say that Fallout 76 has made some big strides towards the game it should have been when it was first released, but it might still have a long way to go before the game, and the publishing company, can regain the trust of a lot of fans who were considered hurt by the games launch. That being said, if you do have a copy of Fallout 76, be sure to drop big in soon and experience all that has changed, and if you don’t have a copy – but would like to get one – then a lot of game shops and Amazon are currently selling the game at an extremely reduced cost, so it might be worth picking up.

Top 6 Movies of 2018

As 2018 comes to an end, it’s time to look back at the best films that graced the big screen and it’s safe to say that this year has been another big one.

With blockbuster movies like Avengers: Infinity War, smaller low-budget films such as Christopher Robin and even animated movies like the universally praised Mission Impossible: Fallout, here’s a look at my top 6 movies of 2018.

(Please bear in mind this is opinion based and you may believe other films deserve to be here compared to others)

 

Number 6: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard

Whilst a few people didn’t feel Fallen Kingdom lived up to expectations, my personal opinion is that this is a slightly different direction for the Jurassic Franchise. The use of the mansion location adds a new dynamic to a franchise which has largely relied on being set on a big dinosaur island. Not only is it a new setting, but this entry also adds in the fear element that has been missing since the first Jurassic Park from 1993, making sure Dinosaurs are to be feared again. Hopefully the third Jurassic World film will build on the foundations this movie set out and we’ll be able to see a new Jurassic world.

 

Number 5: Ready Player One

Ready Player One stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke and Ben Mendelsohn

 

Before its release, Ready Player One was a book that had received a few mixed reviews, with its main criticism being the amount of 80’s and Movie references in its text, however, that text translated really well to film. Whilst the plot is pretty generic, the performances are fairly decent (especially Ben Medlesohn as the villain) and the film itself is chock-a-block with references to a variety of films, TV shows, games and even books.

 

Number 4: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Solo: A Star Wars Story stars Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover and Emilia Clarke

After the release of The Last Jedi, a lot of fans seemed angry with Star Wars and Disney, and the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story (a film that many fans deemed unnecessary) didn’t help matters. That being said, this film is far from terrible, in fact, it might be one of my favourite Star Wars films. Ir has action, adventure and great humour. The role of playing a younger Han Solo was always going to be a difficult one, but Alden Ehrenreich delivers a stunning performance and could really be a younger version of Harrison Ford. If you missed Solo when it came out (for whatever reason) go back and give it a watch, you won’t regret it.

 

Number 3: Christopher Robin

Christopher Robin stars Ewan McGreggor and Hayley Atwell

This has to be the most wholesome film I have ever watched in my life. Christopher Robin is an incredible tale, recreating Winnie The Pooh in the real world as well as dealing with harsh topics such as forgetting your childhood and the issues with trying to maintain a family lifestyle, whilst also remembering to show the audience the childhood wonder that can still be had in later life. Christopher Robin features some beautifully created real-life versions of the whole Hundred Acre Wood family and they feel as if they could truly exist in the outside world. If you want a heart warming tale that will instantly make you cry, watch Christopher Robin.

 

Number 2: Avengers: Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War stars Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt and many others.

Some people might have thought that Infinity War would be my number 1 film of the year, yet here it is sitting at number 2. Infinity War is the culmination of 19 Marvel movies spanning 10 years and it knows it. This film features incredible action sequences, stunning special effects and even an ending that will tear the heart out of any fan or even any casual movie goer. With the amount of characters that are pushed into this movie, some might think it wouldn’t work, but the fact that this film was pulled off to the degree of success that it has been, is a real credit to the Russo Brothers (the directors) and the whole team at Marvel Studios. It goes without saying that Infinity War will be remembered for a long time, if you’re yet to see it, you really are missing out.

 

Number 1: Mission Impossible: Fallout

Mission Impossible: Fallout stars Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill and Rebecca Ferguson

Here we go, my number one, and it’s as surprising to me as it might be to you. Mission Impossible: Fallout was a movie which looked pretty good from the trailers and was coming off the back of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation – both of which featured exciting action set-pieces and a fairly intelligent plot – but Fallout took everything to the next level. The stunts were more daring, the plot was even more deep and the action was jaw dropping. Tom Cruise (now approaching his 60’s) once again shows why he is the worlds best action star, and how committed he is to his craft, with Henry Cavill proving that he can also go the distance. Mission Impossible: Fallout is a fantastic action movie, and is also my top movie of 2018.

 

So what do you think? Agree or disagree? And what was your top films of 2018? Let me know in the comments!