Home Gaming Fallout 4’s survival mode sounds like hell…in a good way

Fallout 4’s survival mode sounds like hell…in a good way

2 min read
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FalloutSurvival

Fallout 4 was a pretty good game, I thought. I certainly think it could have been better – especially where the actual roleplaying bits were concerned. There didn’t really seem to be much in the way of real consequence to your actions, or how you interacted with others, making the game feel to me more like an action shooter with role-playing elements than the previous games. While that sounds like harsh criticism, it’s not – because it was a pretty damned good action shooter with role-playing elements.

The impending survival mode for Fallout 4 sounds more like the sort of thing that’ll make it feel like a RPG – though I have to admit it doesn’t really sound as appealing to me as it might’ve if I wasn’t growing old and impatient. Were I but a few years younger, I’d have been really, really in to this. In a new blog post, Bethesda’s outlined the sort of things you can expect from Fallout 4’s survival mode – which, they say, will “force you to make interesting choices,” by bringing in “the type of circular systems you might find in a game like Dark Souls.”

Here are the four pillars upon which survival mode is built on:

  1. Strategy: Intensify decisions involving when to get into combat versus when to avoid it, and also make you think more about what gear to take into combat. Then back up those decisions with faster, more brutal fights.
  2. Exploration: Slow down the pace of the game and encourage players to explore the nooks and crannies of the world.
  3. Resource Management: Balance out items in the world that may be too easy to acquire or horde, giving players more to consider when planning their current loadout.
  4. Role Playing: Increase the realism of the world and the issues one might face there.

There are some major system overhauls effecting that change. You’ll no longer be able to save at will, with the only way to set your game in stone to sleep in a bed for an hour. You’ll also no longer be able to fast travel – if you need to get anywhere, you’re going to have to hoof it. Combat’s significantly tougher, and threats won’t just appear on your minimap – so you’ll have to be acutely aware of your surroundings. You will also need to take care of yourself by staying hyrdated, fed, and rested. If you don’t eat, drink, or sleep for a while your health will deteriorate.

To me, it all sounds like a chore – but those of you who appreciate hardcore options and the satisfaction of going up against the odds will likely appreciate it. The Survival mode update is coming to PC and consoles in the near future – but if you want to get in early, you can dabble with the beta on PC.

Here’s how:

  • Log into Steam
  • Right Click on Fallout 4 in your Library
  • Select Settings
  • Select Betas
  • A drop down menu will appear. Select Survival Beta Update
  • Select OK
  • Wait a few minutes and Fallout 4 should update
  • When done, Fallout 4 should appear as Fallout 4 [Beta] in your Library

Find out more, here.

Last Updated: March 30, 2016

36 Comments

  1. Gareth Lagesse (eXCheez)

    March 30, 2016 at 11:07

    I’m intrigued by this. As long as I know that I’m not expecting a disappointing RPG, and in fact a survival adventure in stead, then I’m sold. 🙂

    Reply

  2. Jac7

    March 30, 2016 at 11:09

    This sounds delicious

    Reply

  3. HairyEwok

    March 30, 2016 at 11:18

    So if they’re going for more realism doesn’t that mean that V.A.T.S will have to be disabled as well?

    Reply

    • Original Heretic

      March 30, 2016 at 11:28

      Do that and it’s no longer Fallout at all. Just some post-apocalyptic pew-pew game.

      Reply

      • Pariah

        March 30, 2016 at 11:29

        So it’ll still be Fallout. Got it.

        Reply

        • Original Heretic

          March 30, 2016 at 11:33

          Pew-Pew….. Pew-Pew never changes.

          Reply

          • Pariah

            March 30, 2016 at 11:34

            Actually sums up my opinion on all post-apocalyptic games.

  4. Pariah

    March 30, 2016 at 11:19

    Sounds like Stalker crossed with Morrowind.

    Reply

  5. Original Heretic

    March 30, 2016 at 11:19

    The only thing there I object to is the lack of Fast Travel. Having to travel all the way from one end of the map to the other by foot is going to get tired pretty damn quickly.

    Reply

    • Pariah

      March 30, 2016 at 11:20

      Pun intended?

      Reply

      • Original Heretic

        March 30, 2016 at 11:20

        I….I MADE A PUN?!?!?

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 30, 2016 at 11:21

          That’s a no then. XD

          “Having to travel all the way from one end of the map to the other by foot is going to get tired pretty damn quickly.”

          Reply

          • Original Heretic

            March 30, 2016 at 11:23

            So along with having no patience, you’re gullible as well?
            ;-p

          • Pariah

            March 30, 2016 at 11:24

            Hey, this is the internet. Without emotive text cues, how can one tell when sarcasm is involved, especially when the one speaking in said sarcastic tones is unfamiliar to the one reading them? 😛

          • Original Heretic

            March 30, 2016 at 11:25

            This is the internet. ALWAYS assume sarcasm. Especially on this site!

          • Pariah

            March 30, 2016 at 11:26

            Fuck. You’re correct, of course.

            I’m blaming Capitalism.

    • Captain JJ the Isolated

      March 30, 2016 at 11:21

      I played Fallout 4 in its entirety without using fast travel. But I’m crazy like that. 😀 Did it with Witcher 3 and Skyrim also.

      Reply

      • Pariah

        March 30, 2016 at 11:22

        How? I do not have the patience.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the Isolated

          March 30, 2016 at 11:23

          I like to get myself as involved in the game world as much as possible. So I prefer not to fast travel in games and make the travelling part of the experience.

          Reply

          • Ottokie

            March 30, 2016 at 11:24

            Witcher 3 finished installing last night. I will give it a bash without fast travel 😛

          • Captain JJ the Isolated

            March 30, 2016 at 11:26

            There’s so much going on in W3 that you constantly end up getting into some fight with a monster, or bandit along the way anyway.

          • Original Heretic

            March 30, 2016 at 11:36

            This is true. Much more entertaining to travel in W3. Especially when you come across some high level critters, ride off on Roach with the thought “I’ll be back, you bastards!!”

          • Captain JJ the Isolated

            March 30, 2016 at 11:42

            The one Griffon. I tried and failed twice to kill him, then just told myself I’d be back when I’m stronger! 😀

          • Original Heretic

            March 30, 2016 at 11:47

            The only problem i sometimes have with that is forgetting to go back, then when I finally remember, my level is far TOO high and the fight ends up being too easy.

          • Pariah

            March 30, 2016 at 11:50

            That’s like every RPG ever. So annoying. You want to experience the fights as they were intended, not as if they’ve had their AI removed and replaced with a pumpkin.

          • Captain JJ the Isolated

            March 30, 2016 at 12:30

            Yea, that happens.

          • Original Heretic

            March 30, 2016 at 11:24

            For me, travelling TO the place the first time is a great experience. After that, it get’s tedious.

          • Captain JJ the Isolated

            March 30, 2016 at 11:26

            I vary my routes when I do. But I can understand that it’s not for everyone.

          • HairyEwok

            March 30, 2016 at 11:29

            Only time I used fast travel in Fallout 4 is when a settlement needs my help.

          • Pariah

            March 30, 2016 at 11:30

            I think I’m starting to understand why inventory was a problem for people.

          • Captain JJ the Isolated

            March 30, 2016 at 11:32

          • Hammersteyn

            March 30, 2016 at 12:02

            lol

  6. Acornbread

    March 30, 2016 at 18:27

    Does anybody know whether this can be toggled on or off within an existing game? Might be worth checking out. If it requires a restart, no thanks.

    Reply

    • Elit3 Nick

      March 31, 2016 at 03:46

      Yes, it can be turned on from an existing playthrough, but you can’t revert if you saved after switching. That said, going survival from mid-end game kinda defeats the purpose, from my new playthrough. There’s nothing quite like shitting your pants when you accidentally bump into a raider camp, or finding out that an annoying disease that makes you tired often suddenly progresses to make you take 20% more damage, forcing you to brave the wasteland to make it to Diamond City and find a doctor.

      Reply

      • Acornbread

        March 31, 2016 at 20:12

        You almost sold me. 😉 If my backlog was smaller I would consider it, but I’ve put too many hours into Fallout 4 already.

        Reply

  7. Inshepsut Egypt

    March 31, 2016 at 09:46

    I started a new game and have played survival mode all afternoon and evening. It is a much better experience than the old survival mode, which mostly turned enemies into ammo sponges. I’m currently at level 11.

    The experience is more immersive. Normally I sorta waltz around the Wasteland, even on the hardest settings, and part of me can’t understand why the normal folks have so much trouble. This was true in FO3 and FONV.

    No waltzing for me in this new mode. The world feels harsher and more dangerous. Distance is no longer a non-issue. While I normally sneak some to avoid the hassle of fighting when I don’t feel like it, in this play-through I’m doing something I haven’t done in any FO game before. I’m running away.

    Glowing Festering Blowfly with red skull beside its name? Run away. Super Mutant Butcher with red skull beside its name? Run away.

    Food, purified water, even empty bottles have taken on new meaning. I can no longer spam RadAway without considering the consequences. I used to ignore all beds I didn’t own. Now every available bed I see is my saving buddy.

    My carry is almost half of what it normally is. I’m constantly considering whether to conserve space for Aid items, weapons, stuff to sell, or stuff for crafting. For now, exploring without any companion isn’t really an option for my build, because I need their carry. And, to be honest, I need their help fighting.

    I thought this all would be tiresome. Being 60 years old, female, impatient, and jaded, I was not expecting to like this new survival mode. It seemed like a bunch of fiddly book-keeping and lost gaming time because of the paucity of saving opportunities. I have been completely taken by surprise, however. With the new mechanics, much more of the game world makes sense. It freshens the game immensely and makes it all so much more interesting.

    My only real complaint is that there is not a “save on exit” type of save. I’m a programmer and I work from home, so I can just leave my gaming PC on, but I think no “save on exit” would make this mode frustrating for people who must exit the game on a regular basis.

    Nothing can fix the huge continuity and logical problems with the main storyline. Bethesda really needs help in that area, and has for decades. However, I will say that saving Preston and the gang in Concord becomes more compelling.

    Not everyone will like the changes, but I’d recommend anyone give it a try before you write it off.

    Did I mention you can bottle purified water yourself at a pump? I smile every time I fill an empty milk bottle with beautiful clear water.

    Reply

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