Fallout 76 just received its biggest update yet, and no matter your feelings on the game, there's no doubt about it; this update is a doozy. NPC's are coming into the Wasteland for the first time, and with them, the game just got a lot more like Fallout.
Tons of content has been added, there are a plethora of new characters to meet, and the Wasteland is never going to be the same. Let's take a look at each of the things added in the Wastelanders update:
10 NPCS
First and foremost, the flashiest (and most important) addition with the Wastelanders update is NPC's. Gone are the days you wander Appalachia with only other players filling the world; the world is full of new characters.
This has done a lot to spice things up in 76 and make the world feel more like a living, breathing place; ironically, since they just added things that aren't, in fact, living or breathing. Those who couldn't get into 76 before due to the world feeling a little bit empty should give it another go; it has an entirely different feel, now.
9 RAIDERS
One of the new factions is the Raiders. They do exactly what it sounds like they do, though you do get a choice in the new Main Story: whether to join the Raiders or not.
They have a ton of unique characters, questlines, and so on, and some of the world is going to react differently to you if you choose to become a Raider. If you opt not to join the Raiders, they're generally going to be hostile when you run into them when out and about.
8 SETTLERS
The other joinable faction is Wastelanders is the Settlers. They're the more easy-going, peaceful option, but don't let that fool you: they've got more than enough firepower to be trouble if you get on their bad side, too.
Like the Raiders, they have their own slew of unique characters, questlines, and so on, and the world is going to react to you differently if you opt to become a Settler.
7 NEW ENEMIES
The Raiders and the Settlers aren't the only new faces popping up in Appalachia; there are quite a few new enemy types too, from new monsters to even more NPCs. There's the Wendigo Colossus, which everybody is probably better off never running into. Another new monster is the Floater, which can come in quite a few varieties and generally chills out in packs.
As far as other new NPC types go, there's the Blood Eagles, a group of people fueled by Chems, and the Cult of the Mothman; the less you know about them, the better.
6 NEW MAIN STORY
The new main story has quite a bit of meat to it, and is generally a good time from start to finish. The arrival of the new people in Appalachia has really thrown things into chaos, and you'll be able to steer things along with the choices you make along the way.
The main storyline will open up once your character hits level 20, though there are some new things to experience before you get there, too.
5 ALLIES
Some of the new NPCs are going to be a little friendlier than others (or might get friendlier, eventually), and those NPCs can be invited to move into your C.A.M.P. for a variety of reasons.
They can help protect your C.A.M.P. from danger, they can act as vendors, or they can just be a friend to keep you company. The Wasteland can certainly get lonely, every once in a while.
4 NEW EVENTS/DAILIES
There are some new events and daily quests to play through in the Wastelanders update, too! There are two new events: Riding Shotgun, which takes place at Big Bend Tunnel East, and Radiation Rumble, which takes place at the Emmet Mountain Disposal Site.
There are four new Daily Quests: two from the Raiders, one from the Settlers, and one more that you'll happen across once you get a bit further into the main story.
3 NEW WEAPONS
There were a few new weapons added in the Wastelanders update, some of them very unique: The Compound Bow can be used with a bunch of different arrow types, inflicting various kinds of effects on those unfortunate enough to be in your crosshairs.
There are three variations of the Gauss weapons in the Wastelanders update, two of which are earned through the new Faction Reputation system: the Gauss Pistol, Shotgun, and Minigun.
2 NEW/UPDATED LOCATIONS
A bunch of locations around Appalachia have been updated to include some new things, including some new NPCs hanging out.
There are also some entirely new locations to explore, like The Wayward, the Watoga Underground, The Deep, and more.
1 MORE DECISION MAKING/RPG MECHANICS
Perhaps second only to the inclusion of NPC's, the next biggest (and coolest) thing added to Fallout 76 is some more decision making and RPG mechanics that were a bit lacking in the original game.
There are a ton of decisions to make throughout the Wastelanders Main Questline, some of which are somewhat inconsequential, but some of which are momentous. There are also plenty of times where the game S.P.E.C.I.A.L. checks your character, giving you extra options as far as dialogue and world interaction depending on which skills your character has.