Summary
Since the release of theFalloutTV show,Fallout 4andFallout 76have seen a massive spike in popularity. That said, there are some people out there who can’t decide which game to play. BothFallout 4andFallout 76have their good and bad points, butwhich one is the better game?
From gameplay mechanicsand visual effectsto storylines and weapon selection, there’s a lot to take into consideration when determining whichFalloutgame is better. So, the best way to find out which game is superior is to compare the core components of both titles and see which comes out on top.
Updated on July 30, 2025, by Benjamin Joe:A lot has changed over the past couple of months in the Fallout universe. The Fallout TV series has seen a record number of players buy and download various Fallout games. Out of those games, the two most popular are Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. The original article covered most of the core components of both games. However, it didn’t mention mods and what the future of each title looks like. Ultimately, everybody will have their own opinion about which game is better, but for those who are yet to play one, there are a few things to take into consideration before making the decision.
8Mod Abilities
Do Both Games Accept Mods?
Fallout 4features countless mods that can be downloaded to enhance a player’s experience.From mods that improve graphics to ones that bring in whole new storylines, the modding community forFallout 4is a great one. Recently, the game sawthe release ofFallout London.This is an enormous mod that provides a whole new region for players to explore and enjoy.
7Visual Effects
Which Game Looks Better?
When it was released,Fallout 4’slandscape was breathtaking. Not only that, but shooting, reloading, and pretty much everything players could do looked great, especially when compared toFallout 3. While it did have some very clear visual bugs, for the most part, everything looked fantastic.
As forFallout 76,as almost everyone knows, it didn’t get off to the greatest of starts. Rendering issues, countless enemies t-posing their way to the player, and other issues plagued the game. Thankfully, the game has come a long way since its launch. While it isn’t perfect, lots of the initial visual issues have been fixed.
Which one is better?Fallout 76wins in terms of visual effects. Thanks to all the work put in by the developers,Fallout 76’s visuals overshadow those inFallout 4.
6Storyline
Which Game Has The Best Main Storyline?
Most players who have played both games will agree that neither of the main storylines inFallout 4andFallout 76are anything too special. WhileFallout 76’s main storyline is much better today than it was upon its release, there isn’t a whole lot of substance to it.
As forFallout 4,it certainly had its moments, but as far as Bethesda games go, it ranks pretty low down on the list in terms of great storylines. That said, it does have some truly memorable moments. Also,Fallout 4allows gamers to change the main storyline entirely, whileFallout 76doesn’t offer a lot of meaningful choices. Because of these things,Fallout 4has a better main storyline thanFallout 76.
5Weapons And Armor
Which Game Has Better Weapons And Armor Choices?
Like in all Bethesda video games, bothFallout 4andFallout 76have lots of options when it comes to weapons and armor that players can use.Fallout 4has a whole range of unique weapons and armor pieces that players can find, loot, and earn while playing. Unfortunately, outside of mods,Fallout 4doesn’t have a lot of options for customizing weapons and armor. While it does offer some, it pales in comparison to the amount available inFallout 76.
Fallout 76allows players to craft and re-rolllegendary weapons and armor pieces. This means that, instead of having fixed effects, players can keep re-rolling for new and exciting legendary combinations. Also,Fallout 76features a wide range of mods and skins that players can apply to their gear. When it comes to weapons and armor,Fallout 76beatsFallout 4.
4Game Performance And Bugs
Which Game Has Fewer Performance Issues?
Most Bethesda fans already know that Bethesda games tend to have lots of bugs. While some of them are harmless and can be pretty funny, others can be game-breaking. BothFalloutgames have a fair number of bugs. However,Fallout 76seems to have more performance issues thanFallout 4.
WhileFallout 76haschanged dramatically since its launch, it still has lots of bugs and performance issues cropping up. Also, sinceFallout 76is an online game, the servers can crash and kick players off for several hours at a time. For these reasons,Fallout 4is better in terms of overall game performance. It also has fewer game-breaking bugs thanFallout 76.
3Player Reviews
Which Game Has Better Reviews?
Upon its release,Fallout 76received terrible reviews. In the beginning, it was a pretty bad game all round, so those reviews were justified. Thankfully, that has since changed. The developers have put in tons of effort to make the game a lot better. Today, the game is receiving largely positive reviews. In fact, on Steam, around70% of player reviews are labeled as Mostly Positive.
As forFallout 4,approximately 86% of recent reviews are Mostly Positive. Considering thatFallout 4is a much older game thanFallout 76,this is a very impressive feat. So, as a whole,Fallout 4tends to get better player reviews.
2The Future Of The Game
Which Game Has A Brighter Future?
The modding community has really helped to keepFallout 4alive. That said, officially speaking, it is very unlikely that Bethesda will bring in any new content to the game. Instead, they will likely continue working on creating new titles.
As forFallout 76,this isa live service game. So, there are always developers who are working to maintain and improve the player’s experience. Since its rocky release in 2018, the game has undergone a complete transformation. It is now filled with NPCs, quests, and interesting locations to explore.Fallout 76has regular updates that bring in lots of new content. It is unclear how long thedevelopers will continue working onFallout 76, but it’s safe to say that the game will continue getting updates for the foreseeable future.
1So, Which Game Is Better?
A Summary Of Both Games
As a whole,Fallout 4is the better game to play. It has better reviews, fewer bugs, and a better storyline. It also has a more ‘typical’Falloutfeel.Falloutgames are designed to make players feela sense of loneliness and isolation. This is difficult to achieve in an online game likeFallout 76,where the player will constantly bump into other players exploring the Wasteland.
WhileFallout 4does beat outFallout 76,it does not mean thatFallout 76is not worth playing. It is an incredibly fun game with a fantastic community. Those who enjoy playing online alongside other people will probably preferFallout 76toFallout 4,but for the most part,Fallout 4is currently the better game to play.
