One of my favourite thing to do in the Fallout universe, is just to walk around and explore. Until today, I still haven’t finished the main storyline (to be honest, I only just discovered the Institute). It is not because I don’t care about the storyline, I just can’t help myself not to find out what the next location on the map is. With the new DLC Far Harbor, it is time for me to start walking again, to gaze upon the creations of Bethesda’s universe.
The DLC starts as usual; with a radio message requiring you to go and visit Valentine’s Detective Agency. A few hours later and you’re off, on a boat to the coast of Maine. There you have to solve a missing-persons case that leads to Far Harbor and the secret colony of synths. Once arrived, you quickly learn that the island of Far Harbor is covered in a fog. The fog is a mysterious, highly radiated entity that houses mutated creatures and drives the locals crazy. Far Harbor isn’t a holiday location either; Synths, Children of Atom, and the local townspeople are the three, all striving towards survival and control of the island.
Welcome to Far Harbor
The island of Far Harbor is the largest playable area for a DLC that Bethesda Game Studios has ever created. The island’s forest is filled with hills, swamps and lakes. It is a wonderful place to explore with a crashed airplane (home to someone who sells guard dogs), a superdeluxe spa resort with still living habitants, an outside cinema with visitors and other remains of a much better (and less foggy) time. Since the whole island is covered in fog, the atmosphere is amazing, especially with the radio off. The screenshots don’t lie, Far Harbor is beautiful. The fog that houses between the dead trees with sunlight barely coming through. It’s spot on. And then you haven’t seen the island when it’s hit with a storm.
Let’s talk things out
The atmosphere goes further than just the visuals. The three factions are in conflict with each other, but there are also internal conflicts. The quests and factions feel better developed than the main game. Perhaps it is because the playable area is small, forcing you to make personal and well-thought out decisions. The dialogues are still from the same level as Fallout 4. For me, it still feels as separate spoken sentences instead of a fluent dialogue, with generated answers that don’t always match the emotion of the situation or dialogue. However, there are some amazing moments with the synth leader DiMA. I won’t go into further detail regarding his role in the game, but he has an intense performance where makes some big questions about the synths that don’t know they are synths. Sadly, the dialogues aren’t always from this level because there are some side quests where there is a serious case of overacting. These dialogues feel out-of-place, not serious, while they take place in a more serious environment.
There is also a new companion, Longfellow, a successful local guide. When travelling with you, he gives commentary about the island and its history. He isn’t a key figure in the storyline but serves more as the conscience of the Far Harbor community. But I always travel with Nick Valentine. And for this DLC, that was a good choice. Nick Valentine has an influence in the storyline. He might not be mandatory, but it’s nice that he get more focus regarding his past.
What else is new?
Far Harbor also introduces new weapons: the long suspicious harpoon gun, meat hook and finally a lever-action rifle. The armour of Far Harbor has a sailing/fish theme, with fisherman hats and overalls. There are some new perks, but The new creatures are deadly, specially the first time when you encounter a group of anglers and gulpers. I have to mention the hermit crab. You will never forget the first time you encounter one. But you’ll have to play the DLC to find out why!
Conclusion
If you love exploring in Fallout 4, you must play Far Harbor. If you love the quests of Fallout 4, you must play Far Harbor. If you have enjoyed Fallout 4, get the Far Harbor DLC. The DLC gives you access to an amazing designed island, new quests and characters and new items. It’s the perfect excuse to pick up the game again and enjoy the Fallout universe.
Fallout 4’s third add-on, Far Harbor, is available today for download worldwide on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC (steam link)! You can check out the trailer here
