Brain Dead in the Wasteland: When Fallout 4 Makes You Question Everyone’s Sanity

The Commonwealth. A post-apocalyptic tapestry woven with the threads of radiation, raiders, and remnants of a bygone era. We’ve all wandered its desolate landscapes in Fallout four, scavenging for scrap, building settlements, and battling the horrors that lurk within. We’ve bonded with companions, faced moral dilemmas, and carved our own paths through the irradiated ruins. But sometimes, amidst the epic quests and compelling narratives, a different kind of horror emerges – the horror of witnessing sheer, unadulterated stupidity. Picture this: you’re sneaking through a raider camp, meticulously planning your assault, only to have your loyal companion, Dogmeat, barrel into the thick of things, barking his head off and alerting every enemy in a mile radius. Or perhaps you’ve meticulously crafted a thriving settlement, complete with turrets and guard posts, only to find your settlers cowering inside their shacks while a lone molerat chews its way through your crops. These moments, these infuriating and often hilarious instances of brain dead behavior, are what this article is all about. Despite its merits, Fallout four is often plagued by moments of questionable artificial intelligence and logic, leading to frustrating and laughably absurd encounters that can shatter immersion. This exploration delves into the comical abyss of AI shortcomings, exposing the lighter, albeit slightly maddening, side of surviving in the Commonwealth.

Companion Conundrums and AI Antics

Companions are designed to be our stalwart allies, the bullet-soaking, pack-mule-ing saviors in a harsh and unforgiving world. Yet, their AI can often betray their intended purpose, transforming them into liabilities rather than assets. Take pathfinding, for instance. How many times have you watched in bewildered silence as your faithful companion gets hopelessly stuck on a pile of rubble, fruitlessly attempting to navigate around an invisible obstacle? They’ll circle, they’ll shuffle, they’ll even emit frustrated grunts, but escape remains elusive. It is a common sight to witness them walking into walls for extended periods of time, particularly in settlements. Then there’s the combat “expertise.” Sure, they can wield a weapon and fire in the general direction of the enemy, but strategic thinking? Tactical awareness? Forget about it. They charge headfirst into enemy fire, seemingly oblivious to the concept of cover. They insist on using melee weapons at extreme ranges, flailing wildly as bullets whiz past their heads. And the stealth? What stealth? Any semblance of a coordinated stealth approach is shattered the moment your companion decides to trigger every mine and tripwire within a two-kilometer radius, alerting every ghoul in the vicinity to your presence. Speaking of items, companions are a mixed bag. They can carry a whole lot, but when it comes to weapon or armor upgrades, they will never equip anything. The armor you give them will never be worn until you go into their settings and tell them to wear the upgraded items. Certain companions seem to embody this brain dead behavior more than others. Codsworth, the pre-war robot butler, is often found hopelessly lost in densely populated areas, his metallic frame clanging against walls as he attempts to navigate the simplest of routes. Piper, the inquisitive journalist, has a knack for making questionable moral decisions that consistently land you in trouble. Even the seemingly stoic and dependable Preston Garvey is not immune to the occasional AI hiccup, often repeating the same radiant quests ad nauseam, driving players to the brink of madness.

Settler Shenanigans: A Masterclass in Stupidity

Building and managing settlements is a core mechanic of Fallout four, a chance to rebuild civilization from the ashes. However, the settlers themselves often appear determined to undermine your efforts at every turn. Despite the presence of heavily armed turrets and strategically positioned guard posts, they cower inside their shacks, leaving the settlement vulnerable to attack. They stand idle while crops wither, defenses crumble, and resources dwindle. They seem utterly incapable of performing even the simplest tasks without constant supervision. They are often caught sitting in chairs all day, not moving. Their navigation is baffling; they struggle to traverse the simplest layouts, meandering aimlessly through their makeshift homes. And their lack of self-preservation is truly astounding. They wander into radiation zones, ignore obvious hazards, and engage in close combat with heavily armed raiders, armed only with a pipe wrench. Their general lack of awareness can make you question the survival skills that somehow got them this far. It’s easy to feel a sense of frustration, but it’s worth noting the absurdity of the situations that occur, and try to enjoy that Fallout four has delivered this for our entertainment.

Enemy Enigmas and Predictable Patterns

While some enemies in Fallout four present a genuine challenge, pushing you to your limits, their AI often falls into predictable patterns, making them surprisingly easy to exploit. Raiders, the scourge of the Commonwealth, are particularly susceptible to this. They charge mindlessly towards you, heedless of cover or tactical advantage. They repeat the same attack patterns ad nauseam, making them easy to predict and counter. Their weaknesses are glaringly obvious; funneling them through narrow doorways becomes a simple exercise in target practice. Even the more formidable foes, like Super Mutants and robots, suffer from similar AI limitations. Super Mutants are generally easily exploited if you can get in cover, and robots do a lot of damage, but their targeting is inconsistent. They lack any strategic thinking, relying on brute force and overwhelming numbers. Their inability to adapt to changing circumstances can be their downfall, allowing savvy players to outmaneuver them with ease. Furthermore, enemies often fail to react appropriately to environmental changes. A sudden explosion, the destruction of cover, or the appearance of reinforcements often elicits little more than a bewildered shrug. They seem oblivious to the presence of traps, happily strolling into minefields and laser grids. On occasion, enemies will not seem to realize they are getting shot, and just carry on as normal. This is not limited to a select few enemy types.

Quest Quandaries and Narrative Nonsense

Beyond the basic AI of NPCs, some quests and plot points in Fallout four are riddled with logical inconsistencies and narrative potholes that strain credulity. Quest objectives often defy common sense. You will come across quests where there is no explanation as to why the NPC asked for your help. Characters will behave in ways that contradict their established personalities for the sake of moving the plot forward. Choices are presented, but they have no meaningful impact on the story. The main protagonist is guilty of this too, with very limited dialogue options that sometimes make no sense in the context of the situation. There are missed opportunities for more nuanced storytelling, moments where a clever dialogue choice or alternative approach could have added depth and complexity to the narrative, but are sadly ignored. The overall plot of Fallout four suffers from this too, with the main story and your character being put into situations that make little sense. All of these factors together add up to a sometimes frustrating story, with “brain dead” decisions being made consistently.

A Silver Lining: Remembering the Good

While this exploration has focused on the “brain dead” aspects of Fallout four, it’s important to remember that the game also offers a wealth of engaging and rewarding experiences. The vast and detailed world is ripe for exploration, filled with hidden secrets and intriguing locations. The character customization options are extensive, allowing you to craft a protagonist that truly reflects your personal playstyle. Some of the storylines are genuinely compelling, exploring themes of survival, morality, and the human condition. Many enjoy the looting, item collection, and base building to a fault, spending countless hours gathering scrap to make their settlements better. The modding community is also vibrant, adding new content, fixing bugs, and enhancing the overall gameplay experience. All these aspects and more are why Fallout four is still played by so many people, and why it holds a special place for so many. These factors demonstrate why people still enjoy Fallout four despite its flaws. In addition, the “brain dead” AI can often be a source of humor, creating absurd situations that are both frustrating and entertaining.

Conclusion: Brain Dead or Brilliant?

Fallout four, despite its strengths, can be marred by moments of questionable AI and logical inconsistencies. Companions stumble into traps, settlers cower in their homes, and enemies follow predictable patterns. Quests and narratives can sometimes defy logic, leaving players scratching their heads in disbelief. But is this “brain dead” AI a fatal flaw? Or is it simply a quirky, almost endearing, aspect of the Fallout four experience? Perhaps it’s a bit of both. The flaws can be frustrating, but they also contribute to the game’s unique character, creating moments of unintended humor and absurdity. These instances ultimately makes Fallout four an interesting, and often laughable, experience. So, the next time you encounter a particularly dense NPC or witness a moment of inexplicable AI behavior, take a deep breath, chuckle to yourself, and remember that you’re simply experiencing another facet of the wonderfully weird world of Fallout four. The Fallout franchise has a history of bugs and exploits, but players love it for these reasons.

So, what are some of your experiences with the “brain dead” aspects of Fallout four? Share your most memorable moments in the comments below!