Despite the name, there is more to Vault-Tec Workshop than the previous Workshop DLC packs released before it. While there are tons of new vault-related objects to help you build your own shelter, there’s also a huge new area to explore and a quest line to take.
The DLC starts out with your player getting a new radio broadcast, asking for help at Vault 88. Once you fight your way to the vault’s front door, you go inside to find a ghoul of an Overseer looking over a whole lot of nothing.
Working with the Overseer, you help get Vault 88 back up and running. Once you start getting settlers to the vault, the Overseer wants to start running some classic Vault-Tec experiments. The severity of these tests is up to you, so either play it safe or really let your little inner sadist out and turn your settlers into guinea pigs.
I’ll admit, the whole settlement building and crafting aspect of Fallout 4 didn’t really appeal to me personally. When I heard of yet another Workshop DLC, I wasn’t all that thrilled with the thought of getting a heap of new craftable items for me to really do nothing with. My feelings on the Vault-Tec Workshop entirely changed by the time I got to Vault 88, however.
The true highlight of the experience is the Vault 88 area itself. It seems like the massive underground expanse just keeps going and going the further you go down the narrow, rock hallways. Just when you think you get to a dead end, you realize you can scrap the wall in front of you, opening up even more hidden areas. But watch out for dangerous beasts while exploring!
The quest line itself is pretty fun, and definitely plays on your character’s good/evil alignment (not like that’s really a thing anymore, but you know). Outside of a fetch quest, the majority of time is spent setting up experiments for your new vault dwellers to partake in. Depending on how evil you go, experiments can range from tame ideas to outright torture. This is definitely a quest I want to reload and try again to see different experimental results.
There’s also the new character, Clem. I don’t want to spoil anything, but stick around this guy, he’s a gem, full of one-liners and funny observations.
As for crafting, there are tons of new items to really flesh out your vaults and other settlements. For the first time, you can actually make objects that look nice and preserved, instead of forcing your settlers to sleep on moldy mattresses. I’m sure those who actually enjoy the crafting will find plenty more objects to love as well.
As the penultimate Fallout 4 DLC, it’s nice seeing Bethesda treat Vault-Tec Workshop more like the Automatron DLC than a Workshop one. The added storyline was a welcome addition to what would otherwise be another collection of new craftable objects to play around with. Oh yeah, and Clem is just wonderful.
So what do you think? Are you excited to try building your own vault in Vault-Tec Workshop? Are you more excited for the Nuka-Cola World DLC coming next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
