Fallout 4 is a large RPG primarily exploring the greater Boston area. It also features two large DLC expansions that take place in other locales. One of these, Far Harbor, is a well-regarded piece of content for several reasons. Taking place in the Maine area, it draws on classic marine horror that is common in tales about this region.
It also expands upon important concepts from the base game, namely involving the nature of humanity and whether it can be replicated in artificial beings. It challenges the player’s morality with real questions. It rewards players who try their best to engage with the content and connect with the people of this land. Let’s talk about why you should play Far Harbor.
A Moody Horror Experience
The Fallout franchise has taken on a variety of tones throughout its lifespan. The series is equal parts comedy, adventure, horror, and philosophy. Far Harbor blends these ideas into a well-tailored campaign with a distinct theme. Upon arrival, players see a region in strife. Irradiated fog permeates the land and causes constant risk. The main settlement along the coast is frequently ravaged by attacks from dangerous creatures. People are hesitant to trust an outsider who knows little about what the island struggles with. Wolves, hermit crabs, and mirelurks wait for players who venture into the swamp and fog.
The area still feels like Fallout, of course. You can encounter many storylines that feel like the series’ classic campiness. A hotel filled with robots who have lasted since before the war is a particular standout, which is used to stage a murder mystery. The region calls upon vibes from Stephen King and the Lovecraftian mythos while still feeling like it belongs in the setting. Players can obtain low-tech weaponry that feels right for Maine, or acquire a diving suit. Overall, the DLC takes advantage of where it is set to do something that you can’t do in the rest of the game, let alone other games in the franchise.
Interesting Factions and Leaders
A mix of new and old factions will be encountered as players make their way into Far Harbor. The local denizens of the land are an eclectic bunch, who value a player who will take time to solve their problems. They fear but co-exist with Acadia, a refuge for synths that takes a slightly different stance than people the player encounters in the main campaign. The Children of Atom, ever-evolving since their introduction in Fallout 3, have a contingent here that is making everyone uncomfortable. The conflict between these three factions forms the basis of the story when the player character arrives in Far Harbor.
The locals are initially frustrated with the danger that the synth refuge seems to bring to them. Escaped synths are not forgotten about by their creators, the Institute, which the player can side with. They have enemies in the Brotherhood of Steel, and have a complex relationship with synth liberators the Railroad. Acadia’s leader, DiMA, is an interesting character who has unique conversations with the player and popular companion Nick Valentine. He asks questions about the nature of synths, and what it will take for them to live amongst mankind. The questions feel deeper than what comes up in the main campaign, telling the story of synths and their humanity (or lack thereof) better.
Moral Complexity
It’s nice when RPGs like Fallout can ask difficult questions. First and foremost among them is the challenge DiMA makes to the player character: are you a synth? It’s a valid question, as the notion of your character surviving in cryogenic stasis for hundreds of years is a bit ridiculous. Many players like this concept, as it adds a deeper layer of mystery to your relationship with the factions of the base game. While Far Harbor provides no definitive answer about your player’s identity, calling it out in the first place is an interesting tack to take. As your character tries to understand who is or isn’t a synth, challenging yourself makes the situation that much harder.
The Children of the Atom are a menace, refusing to help cleanse the area of radiation. And yet, is killing them all the right choice? Can you find another way? When you learn what DiMA has done to keep the synths of Acadia safe, you may or may not want to side with him.
When you consider what the people will do if they lose trust in Acadia and the synths there, are you willing to risk enflaming the situation further? We won’t spoil all the truths and possibilities, but you have the opportunity to leave Far Harbor in a different or similar state as when you arrived. It’s up to you to make several moral decisions about what is okay or not.
Final Thoughts
Fallout 4 is not a perfect game, nor is Far Harbor the perfect experience. However, it is well worth picking up this DLC if the world of Fallout is something you find interesting. You can see every corner of the franchise’s lore, from irradiated creatures to intelligent robots and crazy cultists. The journey through the fog is tense and requires the player to keep an eye on the rad counter. Unique equipment and a fun new companion add gameplay incentives to dive in.
Fun sidequests and great locations can give the player hours of content. Should you seek out an adventure of this caliber, take a boat ride North and introduce yourself to the citizens of Far Harbor. You won’t regret it, as it’s one of the most interesting and fun additions to the game.
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