Although it’s a hugely successful and much-beloved game, Fallout 4 sometimes gets criticized for its continued scaling back of more traditional role-playing elements. It’s these elements that arguably made the series such a cult hit in the first place. Since Bethesda took over for the third installment, it definitely feels like things have slid into more action than straight-up RPG.
Of the later Fallout games that have come about, New Vegas is almost universally considered the best in the series. People are always keen to return to this modern classic, and that includes the modding community, where Nexus Mods user bp42s (thanks, DSO Gaming) brings us “REPUTATION.”
Aside from being spelled out in a way that makes it feel like you should shout it out loud with your arms held aloft, this mod adds one of New Vegas‘ much-missed features into Fallout 4. Specifically – and as the name implies – it adds reputation, allowing you to gain fame or infamy among known factions.
Just like in the good old days
This means you can now achieve good standing with a number of settlements across the nuclear-annihilated city of Boston, which can yield rewards. For example: having a positive reputation may “provide you with access to their gear, materials, or a tribute chest in your honor.”
You can also get access to supply crates, which can become unlocked if that particular faction sees you in a more favorable light. Additionally, you can get unique perks for reaching an “idolized” status. These perks are said to be powerful, but “not game-breaking or unbalanced.”
Alternatively, if you decide to be an utter bastard on your Fallout 4 travels, you can earn such negative esteem, that people will send out hit squads, similar to the Legionary Assassins in New Vegas. Vendors will also increase their prices for both buying and selling depending on what they think of you.
Also, salutes have been added to the game, and bp42s says that generic NPCs “in the more organized or militaristic factions will have a chance to salute you when you look at them, depending on how liked you are.” It’s all about making friends or enemies, then.
It’s a nice little revival of a role-playing element that seems to have gone away completely in the Fallout series. The fact that your actions and antics can once again influence how citizens and other wastelanders regard you – and whether they want to shoot you in the face – is something I think a lot of fans of the series will be keen to see in Fallout 4.
Published: Nov 11, 2024 08:56 am