Every Fallout game is different. While they might look and play similar, each leverages a range of ideas and mechanics to create vastly unique experiences. Fallout 3 has an incredible sense of exploration as soon as you step outside Vault 101, New Vegas has thought-provoking and tough decisions to make around every corner, and Fallout 4 has stellar gunplay. No two games in the series are the same, and this is what makes choosing the best one nigh impossible. Mods, on the other hand, often mean we don’t even need to choose. That’s why this brand new FO4 mod is on my radar, because it straight up just brings over one of the best New Vegas features to The Commonwealth.
Simply called ‘Reputation,’ this Fallout 4 mod brings the New Vegas system of the same name to Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic magnum opus. Created by ‘bp42s,’ the mod changes how groups like The Railroad, Institute, Brotherhood of Steel, Minutemen, and even some settlements like Diamond City react to you, all depending on your actions with them. Bethesda’s RPG just got a whole lot more reactive, so you’ve got to be extra careful how you treat every Fallout 4 faction.
Just like in Fallout New Vegas, your actions with specific groups of people now have consequences. If you help out the folks of Diamond City they’ll like you more, but if you tell the Institute to get lost and take action that directly impedes its plans, the group starts to vilify you. If your reputation gets too negative the corresponding faction might send out hit squads, while having a good relationship with a group can spawn gift-givers – although poorer factions won’t be able to give you much. You’ll also find vendor prices fluctuate depending on their opinion of you, with massive discounts and overcharging related to your reputation with said group.
Prices aren’t the only bonus you’ll get for a group liking you, though, as you can also expect even more extras. Supply crates can sometimes be found at bases of factions who you have a good relationship with, and these chests are filled with all sorts of gear and materials you can grab for yourself. Maintaining the highest level of reputation also nets you idolized perks, which are unique bonuses relevant to the specific faction. These aren’t permanent though, so if you get on the wrong side of Paladin Danse that bonus you worked so hard for can be gone in an instant. Some groups of a militaristic disposition will even salute you as you walk by if your reputation is high enough.
Fallout 4’s crime system has even been integrated into the mod, with any laws you break using a dynamic detection system to help with responsiveness. This means that different actions like stealing, intimidation, trespassing, and murder all have separate levels of impact on your reputation with that faction. But your relationship is only changed if you’re caught, so keep that in mind.
On top of all that, bp42s has made sure that you have complete control over the systems within the mod. There’s a new Pip-Boy reputation tab and unique icons to help you figure out where you stand with each faction as easily as possible, so you won’t just accidentally walk into a town before getting shot at. You even have control over several modifiers, so if you want charisma, perks, and karma to impact reputation, or to disable any of the aforementioned mechanics, you can do just that.
In New Vegas, reputation created an evolving system that went beyond just karma. Getting on the good side of the NCR meant Caesar’s Legion would grow to hate you, and killing faction members skewed what that group thought of you. It made the Mojave feel reactive, and every time I replay New Vegas it reminds me just how dense of an RPG it truly is. So getting the reputation mechanic in Fallout 4 is like a dream come true.
Reputation isn’t the only bp42s mod I’ve written about, either, as they have multiple Fallout 4 creations I’d recommend you try out. One of their Fallout 4 mods gives you more movement options, while another introduces the karma system into Fallout 4 as well.
You can find the Fallout 4 reputation mod right here, as bp42s confirms that it’s compatible with almost every other mod and even works with the FO4 next-gen update.
If you want to mess around in The Commonwealth as much as possible our breakdown of all the Fallout 4 console commands and cheats will keep you busy. Otherwise, we’ve also put together the best games like Fallout if you’re looking for a new flavor of post-apocalyptic madness.
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