Fallout is huge. As in, not only huge and lots of things to explore, but also huge and you’ll probably miss half if you just wander out on your own. In case you really want to get the full Fallout experience, there’s plenty to be said to pick up a guide. A Lonely Planet for the Wasteland if you so will. I did just that. After having bought guides previously from Killer Guides, I opted to give them a try.
The Killer Guides’ Unofficial Fallout 4 Guide
Killer Guides is mostly known for MMO guides and what they usually publish is on par in length with a Neal Stephenson novel. I was a bit surprised to see that they would cover a single player game, but I guess everyone has a weakness for the Fallout franchise.
In Fallout 4, the stakes are high. If you answer a question wrong or walk off in the wrong direction, you’ll miss secret supply caches, concealed locations, experience-gaining opportunities and, worst of all, some of the most hilarious storylines in the game.
Killer Guides’ Fallout 4 Guide seeks to be the resource by your side as you explore the ruins of Boston. It has advice for the newbie in need of mod installation instructions as well as the advanced player looking for some tips on how to speed-level the game. Most of it focuses though on enhancing the experience of the average player.
Walkthrough
Like any good guidebook, Killer Guides offers an in-depth walkthrough to help you complete the 100+ quests while stockpiling as many weapons and supplies as possible. I was able to explore otherwise hidden locales and found more scrap than I knew what to do with. But this guide never spoils the story, which is more than you can say for some free online resources.
My favorite thing about this guide, however, is not the walk-through but the cornucopia of detailed information and insights that I feel truly upped my game.
Build and Build and Build…
This is especially true with regards to the daunting task of creating the build. Being a rifle master is awesome but a utility dweller is probably more advantageous – which should you choose? As you gain more experience, new doors will open up to you. Yet knowing the right door to step through can be tricky.
I found that Killer Guides provides a convenient holistic view of the 275 perk ranks – which rank is best for which play style, how to make the most out of each build, which S.P.E.C.I.A.L you should choose when you level up. It was like having an assistant to consult while I was playing. And that can make a real difference when trying to get the most out of a game like Fallout 4.
Weapon Modification
The same is true when it comes to weapons. A big part of the Fallout games is to find and modify weapons as you come across them. This can mean hours of gameplay spent just gathering materials. Thanks to the guide I was able to trim down my foraging time because I knew exactly what materials to look for in order to make particular modifications.
There’s also a detailed list of all the weapons in the game. It explains what each weapon does, where to find it, and how to maximize its potential. Plus, the book has a decent section about power suits and how to use them to dominate battles.
Companion Clarification
The guide also has a chapter devoted to Companions. Detailed descriptions of all 12 companions are included as well as information on where to find them and what sort of responses you ought to give when talking to them. Each character- from Piper to Cait – wants to be treated a certain special way. This guide will give you tips on how to get along well with each and every one of them.
Establishing a Base
Finally, the guide to Fallout 4 provides a lot of helpful suggestions for building a new settlement. It’s no easy feat to entice roaming caravans to stop by your base. Especially when raiders could be lurking around every turn. The Building chapter provided me with useful counsel on resource management, settlement protection, and general empire building.
Help for the Newbies
Guidebooks can be very helpful to new players and returning heroes alike. In addition to all the goodies listed above, Killer Guides also includes a lot of useful information for those not as familiar with the franchise. There is a Fallout 4 101 section that goes over the fundamentals of gameplay. After all, knowing the basics is crucial to having an enjoyable and victorious adventure. The guidebook will show you how to fight, how to forage, even how to switch from first – to third person point of view. For the really tech-impaired, the guide has step-by-step instructions for adding mods. It also describes what mods are, where you can get them, and which are the best according to seasoned gamers.
Conclusion
The reason I bought the Killer Guides’ Unofficial Guide to Fallout 4 was because it seemed like a good resource for a fair price. I wasn’t let down. As an added bonus, future updates to the guide come for free with your purchase – you’ll be notified as soon they become available to download. Plus, there’s a 60-day money-back guarantee. So if you don’t find the guide useful, you can return it for a full refund, no problem.
The future can be a scary place – best have some help as you set out to master it.
