Summary

  • Fallout 76 surpasses Fallout 4 in visual effects, thanks to developers improving the game's look.
  • Fallout 4 offers a more engaging storyline compared to Fallout 76, with impactful player decisions.
  • Fallout 76 shines in weapon and armor variety, allowing for more customization options than Fallout 4.

Since the release of the Fallout TV show, Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 have seen a massive spike in popularity. That said, there are some people out there who can't decide which game to play. Both Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 have their good and bad points, but which one is the better game?

Fallout Show Best Characters
Fallout: Best Characters In The Show, Ranked

Amazon's Fallout series has introduced several characters that have already resonated with fans. These are some of the best.

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From gameplay mechanics and visual effects to storylines and weapon selection, there's a lot to take into consideration when determining which Fallout game is better. So, the best way to find out which game is superior is to compare the core components of both titles and see which comes out on top.

Updated on August 8, 2024, by Benjamin Joe: A lot has changed over the past couple of months in the Fallout universe. The Fallout TV series has seen a record number of players buy and download various Fallout games. Out of those games, the two most popular are Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. The original article covered most of the core components of both games. However, it didn't mention mods and what the future of each title looks like. Ultimately, everybody will have their own opinion about which game is better, but for those who are yet to play one, there are a few things to take into consideration before making the decision.

8 Mod Abilities

Do Both Games Accept Mods?

A guard in Fallout 4

Fallout 4 features countless mods that can be downloaded to enhance a player's experience. From mods that improve graphics to ones that bring in whole new storylines, the modding community for Fallout 4 is a great one. Recently, the game saw the release of Fallout London. This is an enormous mod that provides a whole new region for players to explore and enjoy.

As for Fallout 76, since it's an online game, modding is strictly forbidden. That said, some cheaters have found ways to get around this, but that goes against the game's terms of service, so they are best left well alone. The closest that a player can get to having mods in Fallout 76 is Custom Worlds. These are only for Fallout 1st subscribers. Custom Worlds allows players to have a more custom game. It's the closest thing the game has to mods. Because of this, Fallout 4 is better for those who enjoy using mods.

7 Visual Effects

Which Game Looks Better?

The View From Ontop Of The Vault in Fallout 76

When it was released, Fallout 4's landscape was breathtaking. Not only that, but shooting, reloading, and pretty much everything players could do looked great, especially when compared to Fallout 3. While it did have some very clear visual bugs, for the most part, everything looked fantastic.

As for Fallout 76, as almost everyone knows, it didn't get off to the greatest of starts. Rendering issues, countless enemies t-posing their way to the player, and other issues plagued the game. Thankfully, the game has come a long way since its launch. While it isn't perfect, lots of the initial visual issues have been fixed.

Which one is better? Fallout 76 wins in terms of visual effects. Thanks to all the work put in by the developers, Fallout 76's visuals overshadow those in Fallout 4.

6 Storyline

Which Game Has The Best Main Storyline?

Shaun in Fallout 4

Most players who have played both games will agree that neither of the main storylines in Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 are anything too special. While Fallout 76's main storyline is much better today than it was upon its release, there isn't a whole lot of substance to it.

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Fallout 4: All Main Story and Faction Quests

There's a ridiculous amount of content for Fallout 4 players to sink their teeth into, with over 50 main story missions and plenty of side quests.

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As for Fallout 4, it certainly had its moments, but as far as Bethesda games go, it ranks pretty low down on the list in terms of great storylines. That said, it does have some truly memorable moments. Also, Fallout 4 allows gamers to change the main storyline entirely, while Fallout 76 doesn't offer a lot of meaningful choices. Because of these things, Fallout 4 has a better main storyline than Fallout 76.

5 Weapons And Armor

Which Game Has Better Weapons And Armor Choices?

A Player Waving in Fallout 76

Like in all Bethesda video games, both Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 have lots of options when it comes to weapons and armor that players can use. Fallout 4 has a whole range of unique weapons and armor pieces that players can find, loot, and earn while playing. Unfortunately, outside of mods, Fallout 4 doesn't have a lot of options for customizing weapons and armor. While it does offer some, it pales in comparison to the amount available in Fallout 76.

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Fallout 76: 15 Most Valuable Legendary Weapons

Gamers interested in the most valuable Legendary Weapons in Fallout 76 don't have to look much further than these examples.

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Fallout 76 allows players to craft and re-roll legendary weapons and armor pieces. This means that, instead of having fixed effects, players can keep re-rolling for new and exciting legendary combinations. Also, Fallout 76 features a wide range of mods and skins that players can apply to their gear. When it comes to weapons and armor, Fallout 76 beats Fallout 4.

4 Game Performance And Bugs

Which Game Has Fewer Performance Issues?

A Player Stretching And Clipping Through A Bench in Fallout 76

Most Bethesda fans already know that Bethesda games tend to have lots of bugs. While some of them are harmless and can be pretty funny, others can be game-breaking. Both Fallout games have a fair number of bugs. However, Fallout 76 seems to have more performance issues than Fallout 4.

While Fallout 76 has changed dramatically since its launch, it still has lots of bugs and performance issues cropping up. Also, since Fallout 76 is an online game, the servers can crash and kick players off for several hours at a time. For these reasons, Fallout 4 is better in terms of overall game performance. It also has fewer game-breaking bugs than Fallout 76.

3 Player Reviews

Which Game Has Better Reviews?

Steam logo and games in the background
  • Fallout 4 Recent Reviews: 86% Mostly Positive
  • Fallout 76 Recent Reviews: 70% Mostly Positive

Upon its release, Fallout 76 received terrible reviews. In the beginning, it was a pretty bad game all round, so those reviews were justified. Thankfully, that has since changed. The developers have put in tons of effort to make the game a lot better. Today, the game is receiving largely positive reviews. In fact, on Steam, around 70% of player reviews are labeled as Mostly Positive.

As for Fallout 4, approximately 86% of recent reviews are Mostly Positive. Considering that Fallout 4 is a much older game than Fallout 76, this is a very impressive feat. So, as a whole, Fallout 4 tends to get better player reviews.

2 The Future Of The Game

Which Game Has A Brighter Future?

Three Ponds Location in Fallout 76

The modding community has really helped to keep Fallout 4 alive. That said, officially speaking, it is very unlikely that Bethesda will bring in any new content to the game. Instead, they will likely continue working on creating new titles.

As for Fallout 76, this is a live service game. So, there are always developers who are working to maintain and improve the player's experience. Since its rocky release in 2018, the game has undergone a complete transformation. It is now filled with NPCs, quests, and interesting locations to explore. Fallout 76 has regular updates that bring in lots of new content. It is unclear how long the developers will continue working on Fallout 76, but it's safe to say that the game will continue getting updates for the foreseeable future.

1 So, Which Game Is Better?

A Summary Of Both Games

A helmet behind the logo of Fallout 4

As a whole, Fallout 4 is the better game to play. It has better reviews, fewer bugs, and a better storyline. It also has a more 'typical' Fallout feel. Fallout games are designed to make players feel a sense of loneliness and isolation. This is difficult to achieve in an online game like Fallout 76, where the player will constantly bump into other players exploring the Wasteland.

While Fallout 4 does beat out Fallout 76, it does not mean that Fallout 76 is not worth playing. It is an incredibly fun game with a fantastic community. Those who enjoy playing online alongside other people will probably prefer Fallout 76 to Fallout 4, but for the most part, Fallout 4 is currently the better game to play.

  • Rating block community and brand ratings Image
    Fallout 4 Tag Page Cover Art
    Fallout 4
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    9 /10
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    Released
    November 10, 2015
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    WHERE TO PLAY

    SUBSCRIPTION
    DIGITAL
    PHYSICAL
    Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

    Developer(s)
    Bethesda
    Genre(s)
    RPG, Action
  • Rating block community and brand ratings Image
    Fallout 76 Tag Page Cover Art
    Fallout 76
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    Display card community and brand rating widget
    5 /10
    Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget
    Released
    November 14, 2018
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    WHERE TO PLAY

    SUBSCRIPTION
    DIGITAL
    PHYSICAL
    Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

    Developer(s)
    Bethesda
    Platform(s)
    PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
    Genre(s)
    Action, RPG