Fallout 4: Bethesda will dial back graphics in favour of complex systems

Fallout 4 will be a gorgeous game, but it won't be the showpiece some are expecting. Speaking at an E3 roundtable interview today, Bethesda's Pete Hines said that crafting complex and thoroughly interactive environments requires some graphical compromises.

Hines went on to emphasise the role-playing freedom Fallout 4 will offer. "If you want to pick flowers and make potions all day, then that's what you're role-playing," he said. "If you want to go shoot everybody in the head with a laser-musket, then that's what you're role-playing."

Hines' words make sense, especially considering the scale of Fallout 4's Boston wastelands. The game's lead producer has spent 400 hours in the game and is still finding new things. Meanwhile, Imgur user Nukeclears has compiled a series of side-by-side comparisons between Fallout 3 and Fallout 4, and the evolution is clear.

Fallout 4 releases November 10.

Shaun Prescott is the Australian editor of PC Gamer. With over ten years experience covering the games industry, his work has appeared on GamesRadar+, TechRadar, The Guardian, PLAY Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and more. Specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games and FPSs. He thinks Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day.