464 hours later, I think I will take a break and write a review. I absolutely love this game. There were so many things that this game exceeded the previous two entries in the Fallout series that left me unable to stop playing because I was so engrossed in Fallout's massively detailed post apocalyptic version of Boston.
This Fallout game is a thing of beauty, so much that many of times I caught myself just wondering around taking in the sights and capturing screenshots to save for later. So many places to explore and as always with fallout games analyzing a corpse tells story unto itself. Early on I realized even though there are numerous story line quests, side quests and repeatable quests, there are more places in the wasteland than completing those quests will expose you to.
Thankfully the karma system is gone. No longer are you punished for pickpocketing an NPC but not punished ffor starting a fight with that NPC shooting them in the face and looting their corpse. There were many times I did not agree with the karma system and I don't miss it in the least. There is a companion system where each companion has likes and dislikes based on your actions and gaining their approval can gain you companion specific quests and at maximum approval a perk that stays with you always.
The S.P.E.C.I.A.L.primary statistics point system and perk system are completely streamlined and displayed on a big beautiful chart from which you can plan and accept a new statistics level or perk at the attainment of each experience level. All the perks are here and now they are easier to find instead of having to look through a long unmanageable list. There is no level cap and you can keep playing beyond finishing the main storyline so no need to start a completely new game to try out all the different perks as you can just continue your journey picking up new perks as you gain experience.
Multiple factions mean multiple storylines and multiple endings as you can choose the fait of the commonwealth. Each faction has their benefits and drawbacks. It was very satisfying to go back and play through each factions ending to get a larger picture of the story behind the main Commonweath players.
The thing that really sets Fallout 4 for me was the crafting and settlement building. The reason was when I wasn't busy with a quests I was exploring the wastland looking for resources to build and modification for my weapon or armor. Or looking for junk to help make my settlements stronger. The ability to physically change a part of wasteland from post apocalyptic wastelend into a thriving settlement really added a level of depth and breadth that many games just don't achieve.
I've really enjoyed my time with Fallout 4, I'm looking forward to the DLC and user created mods.

464 hours later, I think I will take a break and write a review. I absolutely love this game. There were so many things that this game exceeded the previous two entries in the Fallout series that left me unable to stop playing because I was so engrossed in Fallout's massively detailed post apocalyptic version of Boston. This Fallout game is a thing of beauty, so much that many of times I caught myself just wondering around taking in the sights and capturing screenshots to save for later. So many places to explore and as always with fallout games analyzing a corpse tells story unto itself. Early on I realized even though there are numerous story line quests, side quests and repeatable quests, there are more places in the wasteland than completing those quests will expose you to. Thankfully the karma system is gone. No longer are you punished for pickpocketing an NPC but not punished ffor starting a fight with that NPC shooting them in the face and looting their corpse. There were many times I did not agree with the karma system and I don't miss it in the least. There is a companion system where each companion has likes and dislikes based on your actions and gaining their approval can gain you companion specific quests and at maximum approval a perk that stays with you always. The S.P.E.C.I.A.L.primary statistics point system and perk system are completely streamlined and displayed on a big beautiful chart from which you can plan and accept a new statistics level or perk at the attainment of each experience level. All the perks are here and now they are easier to find instead of having to look through a long unmanageable list. There is no level cap and you can keep playing beyond finishing the main storyline so no need to start a completely new game to try out all the different perks as you can just continue your journey picking up new perks as you gain experience. Multiple factions mean multiple storylines and multiple endings as you can choose the fait of the commonwealth. Each faction has their benefits and drawbacks. It was very satisfying to go back and play through each factions ending to get a larger picture of the story behind the main Commonweath players. The thing that really sets Fallout 4 for me was the crafting and settlement building. The reason was when I wasn't busy with a quests I was exploring the wastland looking for resources to build and modification for my weapon or armor. Or looking for junk to help make my settlements stronger. The ability to physically change a part of wasteland from post apocalyptic wastelend into a thriving settlement really added a level of depth and breadth that many games just don't achieve. I've really enjoyed my time with Fallout 4, I'm looking forward to the DLC and user created mods.