Bethesdas Next-Gen Fallout 4 Update: A Disappointing Release for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC Players

The highly anticipated next-gen update for Bethesda's Fallout 4 has met with significant issues on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Released on April 25, 2024, the upgrade, which was announced about 18 months ago, has faced a slew of technical problems that have left fans disheartened.

Steam's Fallout 4 Update: Technical Troubles Galore

The Steam version of Fallout 4 has been hit the hardest, with players reporting various technical issues. Bethesda's communication on these problems hasn't been clear, leaving players in the dark. Many PC players took to Steam to express their frustration. A user named Piglet pointed out, "Many of the bugs that already existed and were promised to be fixed are still in the game after the patch." Another player, birthdayjesus, mentioned, "They finally updated the game and they didn't fix a single problem. But now the mods I used to fix it don't work." Such sentiments reflect the widespread discontent among the player base.

PlayStation 5 Woes: Confusion Over Update Access

PlayStation 5 users encountered significant confusion regarding the update's availability. Fallout 4 was free for PlayStation Plus subscribers between November 2020 and May 2023. However, neither this version nor the PlayStation Plus Essentials Catalog version allowed players to upgrade to the next-gen update for free. Bethesda's community manager quickly responded via the company's official Discord, clarifying that the update should be free for PlayStation Plus Extra members, describing the issue as a bug.

However, Bethesda could not clarify the situation for those with the free PS5 version or the PS Plus Essentials version. The company noted on X/Twitter that they had no additional information on the issue. This lack of transparency led to further frustration among PS5 users.

Xbox Players: Missing Quality Mode

Xbox players experienced a different kind of problem. The next-gen update removed the game's quality mode, which enabled 4K resolution with ultra settings. Without this mode, Xbox players cannot fully enjoy the intended visual enhancements of the update. Digital Foundry technology expert Thomas Morgan confirmed on X/Twitter that the update has a bug and that only Performance Mode is available, running at 60 frames per second.

Initial Reactions: Disappointment Over Short Patch Notes

The initial reaction to the patch notes was negative. DreamweaverWR, a Reddit user, highlighted the limited list of fixed bugs and noted that "they have not fixed almost any of the bugs that bothered me the most." Another user, FluffyBunBunKittens, commented on their expectations for new bugs with this update, underscoring the community's lack of faith in Bethesda's patch.

Steam Deck Compatibility Issues

The update also appears to have created compatibility issues for some Steam Deck users, rendering the game unplayable. A Reddit post by prunebackwards claimed that Fallout 4 could no longer boot on the device. The sentiment was echoed by others in the comments. Even players who could launch the game faced issues like no graphic settings, no launcher, and low default settings.

PlayStation Players Share Their Frustrations Online

PlayStation users who managed to get into the game have been met with a series of issues. Reddit user CSSJAZZ sarcastically remarked, "The Fallout 4 update for PS5 looks amazing," while sharing a video showing missing textures. Another Reddit user, pasta_classic, shared a screenshot of the character creation screen, where the default character's face was completely missing. Other users reported issues with missing weapon textures, further exacerbating the frustrations.

A Sour Note for Fallout's Recent Resurgence

These issues mark a sour note for Fallout's resurgence, largely driven by Amazon's well-received television series. The increased interest in Fallout 4 and the multiplayer Fallout 76 has led to massive player influxes, and Fallout 76 recently reached one million players a day after the series premiere. However, this update has cast a shadow on the franchise's recent successes, leaving fans hoping for swift action from Bethesda to address the multitude of problems affecting Fallout 4.