Fallout 76 is getting a new Season 2 update themed around old Saturday morning cartoons like G.I. Joe. This new update represents the latest effort on Bethesda's part to redeem itself after the disastrous release of Fallout 76 in 2018.
Few events in the gaming community match the infamy surrounding the launch of Fallout 76. The RPG marked the Fallout series' first foray into games as a service, and when it launched, the reception was dismal. The game was full of bugs and there was little to actually do. Furthermore, just about every piece of promotional merchandise associated with the game had a devastating flaw that further sparked outrage, including false advertising for promotional canvas bags that turned out to be nylon and fungus colonies infecting power armor helmet props. To its credit, Bethesda wasn't content to abandon the game to its tragic fate. Since launch, Fallout 76 has seen steady updates and new content. The recent Wastelanders update added human NPCs, which fans said were sorely missing in the base game.
As Fallout 76 prepares to move into its second season, it's clear that Bethesda won't be slowing down any time soon. The new season, as outlined on Bethesda's Fallout 76 website, is themed around "Armor Ace and the Power Patrol," a group of overly patriotic soldiers who take clear inspiration from G.I. Joe. To further drive home the homage, Fallout 76 Season 2 will see players assisting the Power Patrol in taking down the Subjugator and his army of Red Vipers, a pretty obvious reference to the sinister Cobra terrorist organization that served as G.I. Joe's nemesis in the old cartoon. Rewards for traveling across the Power Patrol's new themed S.C.O.R.E.board include cosmetics based on both factions, as well as currency, perk cards, and interactive pieces of furniture like shooting galleries and a foosball table. The update will come out on September 15th.
In addition to the new items, Season 2 will be making some adjustments to the game's economy. Rewards from last season, including the ammo converter and chicken coop, will be added to Gold Bullion vendors so that players who missed them last season will have another chance to pick them up. Season rank-ups will be purchasable immediately, and in a response to feedback from players who didn't have enough time to commit to daily tasks, Bethesda will be adding new Weekly challenges to increase flexibility. This new content update looks like a lot of fun, and a solid step in the right direction for Fallout 76 in terms of maintaining interest in the controversial title.
There will certainly be a lot of fans who'll enjoy the chance to pay homage to the classic TV shows that served as a fundamental part of a lot of players' childhoods. A piece of television history like G.I. Joe is a pretty perfect fit for the Fallout universe, which has always had an emphasis on exploring the shattered ruins of the American ego. However, it's doubtful that the new "Armor Ace and the Power Patrol" content will explore the series' themes on the deep, critical level that early main series games were known for. Still, fans who enjoy the Fallout 76 experience despite its historic issues will be happy to hear how much new content is going to be appearing in the game very soon.
Fallout 76 is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Source: Fallout 76