‘Fallout 76’ Does Have a Story & Here’s What It Is About

Fallout 76 is the latest entry in the Fallout series of games, and due to its controversial and different approach to delivering the game story, players either loved it, hated it, or were confused by it. Even now, more than four years after the game’s launch, many people interested in the game are wondering, does Fallout 76 even have a story and if it does, what it’s about?

Is there a storyline for Fallout 76?

Fallout 76 does have a storyline and a very elaborate one that serves to tie all other games in the series. Originally, the game was designed with a slower pace in mind so that the story could be told over many years since numerous large content updates were planned for the game.

The model resembled many other multiplayer games in which the story evolved over a few years, sometimes even decades, as is the case with World of Warcraft, for example.

Still, on launch, the game received poor reviews due to the lack of NPCs in the game, which made for a rather dull setting devoid of most types of interaction with the world. This was eventually rectified with the Wastelanders update.

The story of Fallout 76 explained

The story of Fallout 76 starts on October 23, 2102, 25 years after the Great War. This makes Fallout 76 a prequel to all other games in the main series. The game begins with you waking up in Vault 76, and you are given the task of repopulating and revitalizing the Wasteland after the events that took place during the war. The environment and treacherous and filled with dangers, both seen and unseen. Only robots and other players (inhabitants of Vault 76) roam the wilds, and the Wasteland is mostly empty.

The player is, shortly after awakening, contacted by Vault Overseer, who reveals a secret plan. Vault 76 was tasked with securing an arsenal of nuclear weapons deployed throughout Appalachia in three still-functioning nuclear missile silos. The existence of the Responders faction is revealed to you, and upon further investigation, you figure out that Responders were never able to fulfill their role because the whole outpost succumbed to the attack of another faction, Scorched.

Scorched are a nightmarish faction of human beings infected by the Scorched Plague. They are led by giant mutated bats and have a single “queen.” The whole faction serves as a massive hive mind. The humans came into contact with the plague through an Enclave bioweapon kept in an old mining facility.
The player is aware that something has to be done about the Scorhed since, as long as they live, everything is endangered by them.

You eventually discover survivalists calling themselves the Free States. They are aware of the massive danger that Scorched present to the Wasteland. At first, Free States acted as a resistance to the Scorched, but the powers and abilities that the Scorched had at their disposal soon overwhelmed the Free States, and they were no longer able to defend the Wasteland. Now, it’s up to you to develop a plan to deal with the Scorched, and you have numerous approaches at your disposal. Every single one fails due to either limited ranges or resources needed to develop the solution.

You are eventually forced to use the nuclear weapons on the Scorched nest, and in the process, you awaken the Scorchbeast Queen. A lengthy fight ensues, but you are victorious, and your original task, repopulating and revitalizing the Wasteland, is resumed.

The next chapter in the story was added with the Wastelanders update, released in 2020. In 2103, one year after Vault 76 opened. People are slowly returning to Appalachia, and two new factions have formed the Settlers, led by Paige; and the returning Raiders, led by Meg. However, the danger of the Scorched is still a very real danger to the Wasteland, so you set off to manufacture a vaccine and distribute it in the form of Nuka-Cola drinks.

After the danger of the plague has been quelled for the moment, there are yet more rumors of Vault 79. Vault 79 holds the entirety of the United States gold reserve, transferred there from Fort Knox for safe-keeping in the event of nuclear war.
After the vault has been raided successfully, you can choose how to divide the loot, and that gold is further used to re-establish a gold-backed currency all across America.

Steel Dawn update introduced a storyline to expand the story of Brotherhood of Steel in Fallout 76. The player takes part in the events that will serve to re-establish the foothold that Brotherhood of Steel has in Appalachia.

Steel Reign update takes place in 2104 and brings a ton of new and difficult choices for the player. You will have to choose whether to protect or further divide the newly flourishing community established in Appalachia.

Can you play Fallout 76 solo?

Despite the game putting great emphasis on multiplayer styles, it is possible to play Fallout 76 solo. You can largely decide to ignore other players and form groups. However, you might find some world encounters difficult or near-impossible to take down on your own, so it’s perhaps wise to group up with other players from time to time. If you are exceptionally skilled and strategic, you can navigate the game solo. But remember, the wasteland is a harsh and unpredictable place, and sometimes, having allies can make your survival journey less daunting. So, while you can play Fallout 76 solo, occasional cooperation can enhance your gaming experience.

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