If you were worried that the only really meaty expansion we’d be getting for Fallout 4 was Far Harbor, you can breathe a sigh of relief. In terms of size, exploration, things to do, and creatures to kill, Nuka World is every bit as substantial as the grand adventure into the fog that was Far Harbor. But that’s where the similarities end, with Nuka World being both a way for Bethesda to let loose and have fun with the world they’ve created. And for them to go back to the Fallout 3 well, and bring back some of the things that the core game kind of missed the mark on. Where Far Harbor was serious in tone, even offering up shades of horror, Nuka World provides a lighter more free-form experience.

Well as light as sneaking up to unsuspecting people and strapping a slave collar around their necks can be. Yep, Nuka World sees the return of joining the dark side. And unleashing your inner Raider.


The main drawcard, initially at least, with Nuka World are the gangs of Raiders that you can interact with. And there are three of them too, the Operators, Disciples, and the Pack. Each with their own way of life, code, and dress-sense. Set in the ruins of Nuka World, the remnants of a large Disney-style theme park, you basically stumble into a situation where different gangs have set up shop in a part of the park called Nuka-Town USA. Where you can then either lead to reclaim Nuka World, pick sides, or even just kill them all. In terms of hook, that’s pretty much it. There isn’t much to it, with the real reason to play being exploring places like the Galactic Zone, Kiddie Kingdom, and the World of Refreshment. And getting to wander the ruins of all the different attractions, learn their secrets, and revel in the sights and sounds.

And if you do decide to become King of the Raiders, choose which of the three gangs get to control each section of Nuka World.

Where Nuka-World is reminiscent of Fallout 3 is with the whole slave collar dealy with the Raider gangs, and the re-introduction of a clear path to being a villain. And having fun along the way. Going into Nuka World if your Wanderer is of the goody two-shoes variety then you may be faced with a moral dilemma pretty early on with how you interact with the Raider gangs. With no other recourse but to kill them all and free the slaves. But being bad isn’t err, so bad. It’s not all acts of evil, as some of the Raider gangs like the Pack just seem to be in it for the anarchic fun. Like pitting wild dogs against synth-gorillas in a makeshift arena. And dressing up in bright neon colours, and furry undergarments.


But before you even get to Nuka-Town USA, the expansion opens up hopping on the next train to the desert location of Nuka World. Where on arrival you’re greeted by the current Raider Overboss (the dude in charge of all three gangs) and then put through a pretty lengthy survival obstacle course full of booby traps. And then a few more booby traps. Outside of the boss fight, which happens in an arena that feels like part of the ‘80s Schwarzenegger film The Running Man, the lead-up to Nuka World goes on for way too long. Its inclusion is there to add some action in before all the Raider gang introductions and getting a feel for the theme park, but it’s weirdly boring. So you’ll need to stick with it.

Because what isn’t boring is Nuka World itself. With so many great attractions to see and fun stuff to find you’ll be hard pressed not to start humming the theme song as you’re playing. Places like the Vault-Tec exhibition that aims to give park-goers a look at the future, whilst also experimenting on them with mind-control gases and such hits that perfect Fallout balance of satire and downright cruelty and distrust of anything corporate. Or the Robco Battlezone, where “exclusive” battle-bots from the Robco company battle it out in an arena. Once you realize that they’re mostly just regular robots that you’ve seen throughout the Commonwealth but with a fancy new coat of white and gold paint, you’ll stumble on a terminal with letters from angry park goers that were just as upset. Calling them “re-skins” in a clear nod to the expansion itself and the overall cheapness of shoddy theme park attractions.


And it doesn’t stop with the attractions, as outside the park in the vast desert you can also stumble on a religious group calling themselves Hubologists, named after a prolific sci-fi writer -- in a great and fun nod to Fallout 2. There’s also a haunted mansion with a very creepy, and somewhat funny, history to discover. Plus, not to mention so many new Nuka World exclusive flavours of Nuka Cola to find. From the alcoholic goodness of Nuka Dark, through to the fruity flavours of Nuka Grape. Plus, several recipes for Nuka’s that have yet to be created, that you can then create yourself! And then there’s the return of the super fun scavenger hunt in a nod to the Golden Ticket idea from Willy Wonka.

In short, we’re having a blast with Nuka World. And so far, it’s more than a fitting end to Fallout 4.