Fallout 4

Scott Hardie | December 19, 2015
I've been stuck in a rut for a few weeks. My job has been especially draining lately, with long hours and aggravating assignments, so when I finally get time off I don't want to do anything but escape into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Is anybody else out there exploring the Commonwealth too, or maybe thinking about getting that game? (Or perhaps playing something else these days?)

What I appreciate most about Bethesda's RPGs like Elder Scrolls and Fallout is your freedom to shape the world. Even if it's an illusion, it's a satisfying one. You have such control over the direction of the world and your character that it feels remarkably immersive: You really feel a responsibility to these fictional people that you choose to help and the fake towns that you choose to establish. Kelly teases me for having a fully-developed headcanon for my characters when I play an RPG like this, but it allows me to get into the story and the world in ways that other games don't allow. I've read a couple of great articles along these lines: One about enjoying your own headcanon, and another about addiction becoming an unexpected character arc. And let's not forget that Bethesda's willingness to let events play out semi-randomly is critical.

Certain Onion headlines kept occurring to me as I played, so I made a page showing Fallout 4 as covered by The Onion.

Scott Hardie | December 20, 2015
My apologies to people I've left hanging with messages and goo creations and Beju choices and whatnot. I'm catching up. :-)

Erik Bates | December 26, 2015
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Scott Hardie | December 26, 2015
Seen anything good lately?

Erik Bates | December 26, 2015
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Scott Hardie | December 26, 2015
I should check out both. I've been so deep in the aforementioned rut that I haven't seen any movies or TV in the last two months except for the Bojack Horseman Christmas special. Hopefully I can get out to Star Wars this weekend.

Samir Mehta | December 26, 2015
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Erik Bates | December 28, 2015
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Scott Hardie | December 28, 2015
Erik, are you watching Ash vs. Evil Dead? I remember what a fan you are of the movies.

Erik Bates | December 29, 2015
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