Fallout 76 is out now, and while it’s a massively-multiplayer online RPG, many Fallout fans will undoubtedly just want to check it out single-player. While the game is online-only it absolutely can be played solo, without joining up with any other players. But if you want to do that, is there a full Fallout 76 story to follow? Other MMOs have a larger narrative, such as Bethesda’s own Elder Scrolls Online, but does Fallout 76 have a story at all? Let’s have a look.
Does Fallout 76 Have a Story?
Despite the absence of NPCs, there are definitely many stories to uncover in Fallout 76. These are told through journals, paper notes, holotapes, and computer terminals. Whether it’s the story of the beloved Mothman, the fate of Fallout 3 villains the Enclave, or the spy network the Order of Mysteries, there are different tales to be told in every single quest in the game.
This is pretty much how things are in the offline Fallout games too, but those also have one big narrative guiding the player along. The big question is though, is there one over-arching story in Fallout 76 that you can uncover? The answer is yes, although it’s not your own story.
What is the Fallout 76 Story?
The game takes place in 2102. You play a Vault Dweller of Vault 76, the first Vault to officially open its doors to the wasteland, and you’re heading out on Reclamation Day to reclaim the United States. This is where your character’s own personal story stops, however, at least the one written by Bethesda. Instead, the main story of Fallout 76 follows the Overseer of Vault 76, who went out into West Virginia ahead of you. If you wish to follow her story, you can follow in her footsteps and gather her holotapes. Your goal is to find out where she went, what she was up to, and what ultimately happened to her. We won’t spoil anything.