Fallout 4: Far Harbor

{{main|Fallout 4#Gameplay|l1=Fallout 4{{spaces}}§{{spaces}}Gameplay}}

Fallout 4: Far Harbor is an expansion pack for the action role-playing game, Fallout 4,{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-fallout-4-318096.phtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623081413/https://www.destructoid.com/review-fallout-4-318096.phtml|archive-date=June 23, 2016|title=Review: Fallout 4|work=Destructoid|first=Chris|last=Carter|access-date=June 23, 2016|date=November 9, 2015}} the fourth installment in the Fallout series. It is set 210 years after "The Great War", which resulted in nuclear devastation across the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-4-takes-place-mostly-after-fallout-3/|title=Fallout 4 takes place "mostly after Fallout 3"|website=PC Gamer|publisher=Future plc|first=Andy|last=Chalk|date=July 8, 2015|access-date=April 18, 2017|archive-date=April 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418034608/http://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-4-takes-place-mostly-after-fallout-3/}}{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/features/2015/11/9/9646378/fallout-timeline-4-3-2|title=The Fallout timeline|first=Charlie|last=Hall|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|date=November 9, 2015|archive-date=April 18, 2017|access-date=April 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170418034830/http://www.polygon.com/features/2015/11/9/9646378/fallout-timeline-4-3-2}} The expansion is similar to the base game in that the player character (the "Sole Survivor") is tasked with investigating a character's disappearance. In the base game, the player is searching for their lost son,{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/articles/2015/11/09/fallout-4-review|title=Fallout 4 Review – IGN|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=August 8, 2016|url-status=live|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|first=Dan|last=Stapleton|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808074907/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/09/fallout-4-review|date=November 9, 2015}} while in the base game, the player is recruited by the Valentine Detective Agency to investigate the disappearance of a young girl named Kasumi.{{cite web|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704081117/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/21/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-review|url=http://ign.com/articles/2016/05/21/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-review|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|first=Dan|last=Stapleton|date=May 20, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016|title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor DLC Review}} Both the base game and the expansion pack offer the ability to swap between first-person and third-person perspectives.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/24/9036527/fallout-4-romance-options-upgrades-special-customization-progression |first=Griffin |last=McElroy |date=July 24, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160704081434/http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/24/9036527/fallout-4-romance-options-upgrades-special-customization-progression |archive-date=July 4, 2016 |title=How Fallout 4 handles romance, character progression and more |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |df=mdy }} The expansion is set on a radioactive, fog-smothered island, and is located in Fallout{{'}}s version of Bar Harbor, a town in Hancock County, Maine.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-02-17-fallout-4s-far-harbor-expansion-is-based-on-a-real-place|title=Fallout 4's Far Harbor expansion is based on a real place |website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=August 17, 2016|date=February 17, 2016|url-status=live|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817111413/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-02-17-fallout-4s-far-harbor-expansion-is-based-on-a-real-place|first=Tom|last=Phillips}} Far Harbor features three factions which include both violent and peaceful non-player characters.{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/fallout-4-gets-personal-far-harbor-237419|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704083330/http://www.avclub.com/review/fallout-4-gets-personal-far-harbor-237419|title=Fallout 4 gets personal in Far Harbor|archive-date=July 4, 2016|url-status=live|date=May 31, 2016|first=Matt|last=Geradi|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=June 29, 2016}}

File:Fallout_4_Far_Harbor_screenshot.jpg, as indicated by the HUD.|alt=A screenshot of the gameplay in Fallout 4, with the player in a foggy environment with the Power Armor HUD.]]

The expansion contains quests and puzzles that the player must solve. There are different ways to complete quests, all with their own pitfalls. Peaceful resolutions can be made with characters and factions, though these can have ill effects, such as unveiling secrets or worsening relations with other factions.{{cite web|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704083438/http://www.geek.com/games/far-harbor-is-what-fallout-4-should-have-been-all-along-1655877/|archive-date=July 4, 2016|url=http://www.geek.com/games/far-harbor-is-what-fallout-4-should-have-been-all-along-1655877/|title=Far Harbor is what Fallout 4 should've been all along|first=Charles|last=Battersby|date=May 25, 2016|access-date=June 22, 2016|website=Geek}} Violent completion of quests may be faster, though they can result in the weakening of alliances between the player and the factions.{{cite web|archive-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170608084637/https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2016/05/21/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-review-like-tears-in-rain/%2344cc6517784d|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2016/05/21/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-review-like-tears-in-rain/#44cc6517784d|access-date=June 8, 2017|url-status=live|website=Forbes|first=Paul|last=Tassi|date=May 21, 2016|title='Fallout 4' Far Harbor DLC Review: Like Tears In Rain|df=mdy-all}} In some of the puzzle sections, the player directs lasers to hit designated targets; others require the player to build with blocks, as in Minecraft. Puzzle sections were not featured in the base game.{{cite web|publisher=Complex Media Inc|work=Complex|title=Everything You Need to Know About the 'Fallout 4' Expansion 'Far Harbor' Before Copping|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2016/05/fallout-4-expansion-far-harbor|url-status=live|archive-date=June 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622095214/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2016/05/fallout-4-expansion-far-harbor|access-date=June 22, 2016|date=May 25, 2016|first=Trace|last=Cowen}} Upon completion of quests, the assisted factions reward the protagonist with Nuka-Cola bottle caps, one of the fictional currencies found throughout the Fallout series. The player character also gains experience points.{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2016/05/19/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-guide/ |title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor DLC guide: side quests, weapons, enemies and more |first=Brenna |last=Hillier |publisher=VG247 |date=May 19, 2016 |access-date=July 25, 2016 |archive-date=July 25, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160725075542/https://www.vg247.com/2016/05/19/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-guide/ |df=mdy }} Some of the quests include investigating minor mysteries, retrieving missing items, solving disagreements, and clearing out monster-infested areas.

One of the gameplay mechanics which carried over from the previous iterations is V.A.T.S. (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System). While using V.A.T.S., real-time combat is slowed, allowing the player to choose where to shoot the enemy: shooting enemies in the head will typically result in death while shooting their legs can slow them. Weapons can also be shot at to disarm the enemy. Using V.A.T.S. lowers the player's stamina (Action Points, or AP). Some actions are unavailable to the player if their stamina is insufficient, in which case the player has to wait for their AP to regenerate. The use of power armor in combat increases the rate at which the player's AP are used.{{cite web|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/fallout-4-how-to-use-vats|title=Fallout 4: How to Use V.A.T.S|website=USgamer|first=Larryn|last=Bell|date=November 18, 2015|access-date=June 29, 2016|url-status=live|archive-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629072454/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/fallout-4-how-to-use-vats}} The Pip-Boy, a small computer strapped to the character's wrist, also plays a role in both Fallout 4 and Far Harbor. It contains a menu which the player can access to view maps, statistics, data, and items,{{cite web|archive-date=July 4, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704081902/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/15/e3-2015-fallout-4s-first-gameplay-and-story-details|url=http://ign.com/articles/2015/06/15/e3-2015-fallout-4s-first-gameplay-and-story-details|title=E3 2015: Fallout 4's First Gameplay Details|last=Ingenito|first=Vince|publisher=IGN|date=June 14, 2015|access-date=June 29, 2016}} and when the player is able to visit Far Harbor, the Pip-Boy will receive a signal from Valentine's Detective Agency.{{Clear}}

File:A643, Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain from Bar Island, Maine, United States, 2009.jpg, a town in Maine.]]

The expansion is set on a post-apocalyptic version of Mount Desert Island, known in-game as The Island, which is north-east of the Commonwealth, Fallout{{'s}} post-apocalyptic version of Boston, Massachusetts and its surroundings. The starting point is the town of Far Harbor. The Island, where many unique creatures reside, is blanketed by radioactive fog. Because the creatures that live inside the fog are unwilling to go anywhere without it, the town uses devices called fog condensers to turn the fog into liquid in order to protect its inhabitants.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419020921/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-23-fallout-4-far-harbor-guide-4049|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-23-fallout-4-far-harbor-guide-4049|access-date=April 19, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2017|url-status=live|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|first=Kirk|last=McKeand|date=May 24, 2016|title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor guide}}

There are three major conflicting factions present in the expansion, all residing in separate areas: the Harbormen of Far Harbor; the synth (synthetic humans) colony of Acadia; and the Church of the Children of Atom. The Harbormen of Far Harbor are led by the town leader, Captain Avery, and seek to reclaim The Island from the fog that has gradually driven them out of their homes. The Children of Atom live in an old nuclear submarine base called the Nucleus and are led by High Confessor Tektus. Tektus is a fanatical follower of the Church of Atom who seeks to disable or destroy the fog condensers. The refuge for the synth colony of Acadia is an abandoned observatory at the top of The Island; the group are led by a mysterious prototype synth called DiMA. DiMA is friendly to both the Harbormen and the Children so long as Acadia remains autonomous and isolated from the rest of the world.{{cite web|url=https://www.videogamer.com/guides/fallout-4-far-harbor-the-complete-guide-to-the-new-factions|title=Fallout 4 Far Harbor: The Complete Guide to the New Factions|first=Alice|last=Bell|date=May 23, 2017|access-date=April 19, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2017|website=Videogamer.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170419021905/https://www.videogamer.com/guides/fallout-4-far-harbor-the-complete-guide-to-the-new-factions}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2016/05/19/how-to-start-fallout-4s-far-harbor-dlc/#7af387673dee|title=How To Start Fallout 4's 'Far Harbor' DLC|first=David|last=Thier|website=Forbes|date=May 19, 2016|access-date=August 28, 2016}}

Valentine's Detective Agency receives a request for help from Kenji and Rei Nakano, a husband and wife living in a remote corner of the Commonwealth:{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-19-how-to-start-fallout-4s-far-harbor-dlc|title=How to start Fallout 4's Far Harbor DLC|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Pool|access-date=August 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820120539/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-19-how-to-start-fallout-4s-far-harbor-dlc|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|url-status=live|archive-date=August 20, 2016|date=May 19, 2016}} their daughter, Kasumi, has vanished without a trace or explanation. The Sole Survivor is sent to investigate, discovers Kasumi had been in contact with Acadia and borrows Kenji's boat to follow her.

Arriving in the town of Far Harbor, the Sole Survivor finds The Island locked in a tense stalemate between the local residents and the Children of Atom. With the aid of a local hunter and one of the Harbormen named Old Longfellow, the Sole Survivor finds Kasumi living in Acadia. Kasumi has come to believe that she is a synth, and has sought refuge in Acadia, even though she has started to doubt the intentions of DiMA. At Kasumi's behest, the Sole Survivor switches focus to investigating DiMA, and gradually learns he has consciously chosen to store some of his memories on hard drives outside of his body. He has hidden them inside a computer simulation in the Children of Atom's base, the Nucleus, but has grown increasingly concerned that if the Children access the memories, they will have the means to destroy Far Harbor.

The Sole Survivor approaches the Children of Atom to recover DiMA's memories and learns that he put in place a series of fail-safes to protect Acadia, and to preserve the balance of power between Far Harbor and the Children of Atom. These are the access codes to a nuclear warhead, stored within the Nucleus, and the means to sabotage the fog condensers protecting Far Harbor. The Sole Survivor also discovers that DiMA murdered Captain Avery and replaced her with a synth to maintain peace between Far Harbor and Acadia.

There are eight possible endings. The Sole Survivor is faced with a choice: to destroy Far Harbor, to destroy the Children of Atom, or to inform the people of Far Harbor of DiMA's crime and trigger a feud between the Harbormen and Acadia.{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2016/05/20/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-how-to-get-the-best-ending/|title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor DLC – how to get the best ending|website=VG247|first= Brenna|last=Hillier|date=May 20, 2016|url-status=live|archive-date=April 19, 2017|access-date=April 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419014123/https://www.vg247.com/2016/05/20/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-how-to-get-the-best-ending/}}

Should the player choose to detonate the warhead, the Harbormen will take control of the island, while if the player destroys the fog condensers, the Children will become dominant. In both scenarios Acadia will be spared, though DiMA will disapprove of the player's actions. Alternatively, if the player confronts DiMA over Avery's murder, Acadia may become hostile.

The Sole Survivor is able to establish a more permanent peace between all parties by assassinating or chasing away High Confessor Tektus, and allowing DiMA to replace him with a synth who will adopt a more moderate stance towards the Harbormen.

Additionally, the Sole Survivor can choose to make the main factions aware of Acadia's existence.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/fallout-4/2016/5/19/11711046/far-harbor-miscellaneous-quests|title=Far Harbor: Miscellaneous quests|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=April 18, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170419014318/http://www.polygon.com/fallout-4/2016/5/19/11711046/far-harbor-miscellaneous-quests|date=May 19, 2016|first=Emily|last=Chi}} If so, The Institute, a scientific organization that made the synths, will send agents to reclaim the synths, while the Brotherhood of Steel, a quasi-religious organization rooted in the United States Armed Forces, will launch an expedition to exterminate them. The Railroad, a group opposed to the existence of The Institute with the aim of freeing sentient synths, will send an operative to make contact with Acadia, though the latter will reject their help.

In the aftermath, the Sole Survivor returns to the Nakano family back in the Commonwealth. Kasumi, depending on the player's choices, may return with the player character or stay in Acadia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/fallout-4/2016/5/19/11711018/far-harbor-close-to-home-walkthrough|title=Far Harbor: Close to Home walkthrough|first=Emily|last=Chi|date=May 19, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170419015540/http://www.polygon.com/fallout-4/2016/5/19/11711018/far-harbor-close-to-home-walkthrough|url-status=live|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media}}

{{quote box |quote="Then we have an opportunity with something like Far Harbor. Like: okay, how many different ways can it end—let's give them some more choice. So it's not just a one-off, meaning Fallout 4 comes out and then we forget about it—it's an ongoing thing. The feedback we get is really, really helpful."|source=Todd Howard, Bethesda director{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-4-lead-todd-howard-dialogue-system-didnt-work-as-well/|first=Tom|last=Sykes|date=June 16, 2016|title=Fallout 4 lead Todd Howard: dialogue system "didn't work as well"|access-date=June 22, 2016|website=PC Gamer|publisher=Future plc|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704083600/http://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-4-lead-todd-howard-dialogue-system-didnt-work-as-well/}} |align=right |width=30%}}

Far Harbor was developed by Bethesda Game Studios and was announced three months after the official release of Fallout 4—alongside Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, and teasers of other upcoming expansions—in a blog post on February 16, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://bethesda.net/en/article/3U2q1EOhUcymEmeKEYes60/fallout-4-add-ons-automatron-wasteland-workshop-far-harbor-and-more|title=Fallout 4 Add-Ons – Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor and More|publisher=Bethesda Game Studios|date=February 16, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016}}(Age verification required). The expansion was released on May 19, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.{{cite web|url-status=live |archive-date=December 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161214000235/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/heres-exactly-when-fallout-4-far-harbor-expansion-/1100-6439926/ |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/heres-exactly-when-fallout-4-far-harbor-expansion-/1100-6439926/ |title=Here's Exactly When Fallout 4 Far Harbor Expansion Launches |website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|first=Eddie |last=Makuch |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=June 18, 2016 |df=mdy }} Of the first three expansions, Far Harbor added the largest landmass, and was consequently sold at a higher price. It also added new dungeons (self-contained quest locations), quests, creatures, and other miscellaneous features.{{cite web|url-status=live |url=http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/new-product/game/fallout-4-vr-uk-release-date-dlc-pricing-features-gameplay-screenshots-bethesda-e3-3016-new-3498996/ |title=Fallout 4 VR UK release date rumours, DLC pricing, features, gameplay and screenshots: Bethesda announces Fallout 4 VR for HTC Vive at E3 2016, coming in 2017 |archive-date=July 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160704085756/http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/new-product/game/fallout-4-dlc-vr-uk-release-date-pricing-features-gameplay-screenshots-bethesda-e3-3016-3498996/ |first=Lewis |last=Painter |date=June 15, 2016 |website=PC Advisor |publisher=IDG |access-date=June 18, 2016 |df=mdy }}{{cite web|url-status=live|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/93283/fallout-4-dlc-starts-rolling-out-in-march-2016|title=Fallout 4 DLC starts rolling out in March 2016|publisher=Shacknews|date=February 16, 2016|first=Daniel|last=Perez|access-date=June 18, 2016|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704085914/http://www.shacknews.com/article/93283/fallout-4-dlc-starts-rolling-out-in-march-2016}} The expansion was included in the Fallout 4 season pass, a collection of all the expansion packs. Because of the large amount of additional content, the price for the pass was increased from US$30 to $50.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-4-expansions-detailed-season-pass-price-in/1100-6434827/ |title=Fallout 4 Expansions Detailed, Season Pass Price Increasing to $50 |date=February 18, 2016 |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |access-date=June 29, 2016 |website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|url-status=live |archive-date=December 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161214000349/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-4-expansions-detailed-season-pass-price-in/1100-6434827/ |df=mdy }}

The expansion was influenced by feedback from players regarding the dialogue system in Fallout 4, which "didn't work as well as other features". The dialogue system in Fallout games allows the players to converse with and influence the non-player characters.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/defining-dialogue-systems|title=Defining Dialogue Systems|last=Ellison|first=Brent|date=July 8, 2008|website=Gamasutra|archive-date=April 18, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=April 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418031415/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132116/defining_dialogue_systems.php}} The dialogue options in Far Harbor were designed to give players more flexibility in bringing the game to an end, with the expansion featuring more dialogue choices.{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2016/06/16/fallout-4-dialogue-system-didnt-work-as-well-as-other-features-says-todd-howard/|title=Fallout 4 dialogue system "didn't work as well" as other features, says Todd Howard|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704090215/http://www.vg247.com/2016/06/16/fallout-4-dialogue-system-didnt-work-as-well-as-other-features-says-todd-howard/|first=Shabana|last=Arif|date=June 16, 2016|access-date=June 22, 2016|publisher=VG24/7}} The development team also found players were interested in visiting new locations, adding inspiration to Far Harbor albeit at increased development cost and time to completion.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/02/22/todd-howard-discusses-fallout-4-dlc-mods-amp-survival-mode.aspx|title=Todd Howard Discusses Fallout 4 DLC, Mods, & Survival Mode|first=Andrew|last=Reiner|magazine=Game Informer|url-status=live|archive-date=July 7, 2016|access-date=July 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707064551/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/02/22/todd-howard-discusses-fallout-4-dlc-mods-amp-survival-mode.aspx}}

Two weeks after the expansion's official release, the PlayStation 4 version was re-released to fix performance issues.{{cite web|url-status=live |archive-date=July 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160704083100/http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/3/11852160/fallout-4-far-harbor-ps4-update |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/3/11852160/fallout-4-far-harbor-ps4-update |title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor re-released on PS4 to fix performance issues |date=June 3, 2016 |first=Samit |last=Sarkar |access-date=June 18, 2016 |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |df=mdy }} In a performance analysis by Eurogamer's Digital Foundry, it was discovered that although Fallout 4 typically ran at 30 frames per second (fps), when the player was outside and, in Far Harbor{{'}}s foggy biomes, the frame rate could drop to 15 fps, and could drop even lower during action-oriented events such as firefights. In the same analysis, the Xbox One version was found to run at 20–30 fps but experienced various issues, such as stuttering and software lock-ups.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-fallout-4-far-harbor-performs-poorly-on-ps4|title=Fallout 4's Far Harbor DLC performs poorly on PS4|first=Thomas|last=Morgan|date=May 29, 2016|website=Eurogamer|access-date=June 18, 2016|publisher=Gamer Network|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704091308/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-fallout-4-far-harbor-performs-poorly-on-ps4|archive-date=July 4, 2016}} The update toned down the level of fog, and was successful in making the game more stable.{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2016/06/06/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-reissue-fixes-ps4-performance-issues-report/|title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor DLC reissue fixes PS4 performance issues – report|first=Brenna|last=Hillier|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=August 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808080700/https://www.vg247.com/2016/06/06/fallout-4-far-harbor-dlc-reissue-fixes-ps4-performance-issues-report/|url-status=live|publisher=VG24/7|date=June 6, 2016}}

{{Video game reviews

| title = Fallout 4: Far Harbor

| align = right

| MC = wikidata

| Destruct = PS4: 5/10

| PCGUS = PC: 80/100

| GameRev = XONE: 4.5/5

| VG = PS4: 8/10

| GSpot = 6/10

| IGN = PC: 8.3/10
PS4: 7.7/10
XONE: 8.5/10

| rev2 = Metro (GameCentral)

| rev2Score = PS4: 7/10

}}

Fallout 4: Far Harbor was released to "generally favorable" reviews, according to the review aggregator Metacritic. The new quests drew praise from reviewers, though the puzzle sections were criticized. In particular, Dan Stapleton (IGN) expressed admiration for the new quests but said that the puzzle rooms were "so hard to fail I'm not sure why Bethesda bothered". He also mentioned that the Far Harbor expansion contained some of the strongest quest content in Fallout 4. Peter Brown (GameSpot) commended the addition of "hours of side quests driven by curious characters", and the staff at Game Central agreed.{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/05/23/fallout-4-far-harbor-review-crippling-fog-5899056/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704092634/http://metro.co.uk/2016/05/23/fallout-4-far-harbor-review-crippling-fog-5899056/|archive-date=July 4, 2016|title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor review – crippling fog|work=GameCentral|publisher=DMG Media|access-date=June 18, 2016|date=May 23, 2016}} Matt Wittaker (Hardcore Gamer) appreciated the quests: he praised the main questline for its focus on "moral ambiguity and tough choices", saying that that was what Fallout fans were seeking. The reviewers for Game Revolution and GameCentral disliked the puzzles, as did Jack de Quidt (Rock, Paper, Shotgun) who regarded AI pathfinding within puzzle segments as very frustrating even though he felt they were "a small part of the release".{{cite news|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/05/27/fallout-4-far-harbor-review/|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704092758/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/05/27/fallout-4-far-harbor-review/|title=Wot I Think: Fallout 4: Far Harbor|access-date=June 18, 2016|date=May 27, 2016|first=Jack|last=de Quidt|website=Rock Paper Shotgun}} Both de Quidt and the Game Revolution reviewer considered the engine insufficient for the intricate puzzle sequences.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/fallout-4-far-harbor|title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor Review|access-date=June 18, 2016|date=May 26, 2016|publisher=Game Revolution|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704091631/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/fallout-4-far-harbor}} Several reviewers made comparisons to the video game Minecraft when talking about the block-related content added in the expansion.

Reviewers had varying opinions on the atmosphere and the fog. Stapleton commended the majority of the content except the fog, which he felt became annoying after a time, but Matt Wittaker thought the fog was not much of a nuisance if the player's character was built to mitigate radiation.{{cite web|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704093145/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/05/22/review-fallout-4-far-harbor/208164/|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/05/22/review-fallout-4-far-harbor/208164/|title=Review: Fallout 4: Far Harbor|first=Matt|last=Whittaker|date=May 22, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016|website=Hardcore Gamer}} David Ambrosini (IGN) and Christopher Livingston (PC Gamer) both praised the atmosphere; with Livingston saying "you can literally taste [it]".{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704091409/http://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-4-far-harbor-review/|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-4-far-harbor-review/|title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor review|date=May 21, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016|first=Christopher|last=Livingston|website=PC Gamer|publisher=Future plc|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016}}{{cite web|publisher=Ziff Davis|url=http://it.ign.com/fallout-4-far-harbor-xbox-one/111342/review/fallout-4-far-harbor-la-recensione|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704092327/http://it.ign.com/fallout-4-far-harbor-xbox-one/111342/review/fallout-4-far-harbor-la-recensione|page=2|title=Fallout 4: Far Harbor Recensione|first=David|last=Ambrosini|date=May 22, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016|website=IGN|language=Italian}} Reviewers were also divided over the storyline, with the writers for Game Revolution admiring the story and new characters, while Peter Brown found them uninteresting.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/fallout-4-far-harbor-review/1900-6416440/ |title=20,000 Rads Over the Sea |first=Peter |last=Brown |date=May 24, 2016 |access-date=June 18, 2016 |website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161214000348/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/fallout-4-far-harbor-review/1900-6416440/ |archive-date=December 14, 2016 |df=mdy }}

Some reviewers did not like the expansion's repetitiveness, and Nic Rowen (Destructoid) was disappointed with the lack of uniqueness in the release.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-fallout-4-far-harbor-363354.phtml|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704080925/https://www.destructoid.com/review-fallout-4-far-harbor-363354.phtml|title=Review: Fallout 4: Far Harbor|first=Nic|last=Rowen|date=May 24, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016|website=Destructoid}} Chad Sapieha (Post Arcade) said that he was growing weary of the repetitive small tasks like managing loot, and traveling between settlements just to dispose of it; he added that he was done with Fallout 4 and its DLC and was prepared to move onto a further installment.{{cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/post-arcade/fallout-4-far-harbor-review-more-of-everything-you-love-and-dont-love-about-bethesdas-nuclear-apocalypse|url-status=live|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704092934/http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/post-arcade/fallout-4-far-harbor-review-more-of-everything-you-love-and-dont-love-about-bethesdas-nuclear-apocalypse|title=Fallout 4 Far Harbor review: More of everything you love (and don't love) about Bethesda's nuclear apocalypse|work=Financial Post|publisher=Postmedia Network|first=Chad|last=Sapieha|date=May 27, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016}} David Soriano (IGN) commended the extensive size of the map but felt it was somewhat wasted.{{cite web|language=Spanish|website=IGN|first=David|last=Soriano|date=May 23, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016|url=http://es.ign.com/fallout-4-far-harbor-ps4/103574/review/fallout-4-far-harbor-analisis-para-ps4-xbox-one-y-pc|title=Fallout 4 – Far Harbor Análisis|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-date=July 4, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704092141/http://es.ign.com/fallout-4-far-harbor-ps4/103574/review/fallout-4-far-harbor-analisis-para-ps4-xbox-one-y-pc}} Alice Bell (VideoGamer.com) and the reviewers at GameCentral praised the value for money: Bell said that Far Harbor was the best of the first three expansion packs for getting "the most bang for your buck", even taking into account the design flaws.{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/fallout_4_far_harbor_review.html|title=Fallout 4 Far Harbor Review|publisher=VideoGamer.com|first=Alice|last=Bell|date=May 24, 2016|access-date=June 18, 2016|archive-date=July 4, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704091906/http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/fallout_4_far_harbor_review.html}}

File:Autumn Leaves and Far Harbor comparison.png

In July 2016, Mod DB user Guillaume Veer, going by the online alias of BaronVonChateau,{{cite web|date=July 16, 2016|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/167944-Bethesda-Its-a-Coincidence-that-a-Far-Harbor-Quest-Resembles-a-New-Vegas-Mod|title=Bethesda Says it's a Coincidence that a Far Harbor Quest Resembles a New Vegas Mod|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2016|first=Ron|last=Whitaker|website=The Escapist|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716080405/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/167944-Bethesda-Its-a-Coincidence-that-a-Far-Harbor-Quest-Resembles-a-New-Vegas-Mod}} accused Bethesda of copying one of his Fallout: New Vegas mods, named Autumn Leaves.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-07-15-fallout-new-vegas-mod-maker-asks-far-harbors-brain-dead-rip-off-or-inspiration|title=Fallout: New Vegas mod maker asks: did Fallout 4 DLC rip me off, or was it just "inspired" by my work?|website=Eurogamer|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|date=July 15, 2016|access-date=July 16, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716015455/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-07-15-fallout-new-vegas-mod-maker-asks-far-harbors-brain-dead-rip-off-or-inspiration|archive-date=July 16, 2016|publisher=Gamer Network}} Comparing the plot of Autumn Leaves and one of Far Harbor{{'}}s quests called Brain Dead, Veer described both as having “a colorful cast of eccentric robots, in charge of a forgotten Vault where a strange murder happened".{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/why-some-people-have-accused-bethesda-of-ripping-off-a-1783735999|url-status=live|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716015234/http://kotaku.com/why-some-people-have-accused-bethesda-of-ripping-off-a-1783735999|website=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|date=July 15, 2016|first=Patricia|last=Hernandez|title=Why Some People Have Accused Bethesda Of Ripping Off A Mod For Fallout 4}} Pete Hines, the vice president of Bethesda's marketing team, claimed that any similarities were completely coincidental.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-4-dlc-quest-resembles-new-vegas-mod-bethes/1100-6441826/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161214000352/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fallout-4-dlc-quest-resembles-new-vegas-mod-bethes/1100-6441826/ |title=Fallout 4 DLC Quest Resembles New Vegas Mod; Bethesda Denies Copying It |website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive |first=Mat |last=Paget |access-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-date=December 14, 2016 |url-status=live |date=July 14, 2016 |df=mdy }}

Other similarities were discussed in an article by Mat Paget (GameSpot), such as the fact that both Far Harbor and Autumn Leaves feature the ability to use the character's voice to determine whether they are a robot. Veer noted that he was not upset with the similarities, saying that he takes inspiration from other games too: "I seriously think this is perfectly okay. After all, Autumn Leaves' inspirations are countless ... and being influenced is a natural part of the writing process." Veer said that having the names of modders in the game's credits for acknowledgement would be beneficial. He also said that he was comfortable even if Bethesda did deliberately use content from Autumn Leaves, and wrote that "I honestly thought Bethesda’s staff played Autumn Leaves, had a blast with it, took some things out of it and made their own thing for Far Harbor. ... And I seriously think this is perfectly okay."{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/bethesda-says-fallout-4-dlc-resembling-new-vegas-fan-mod-is-a-coincidence/|first=Ben|last=Wilson|url-status=live|archive-date=July 16, 2016|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716102731/http://www.gamesradar.com/bethesda-says-fallout-4-dlc-resembling-new-vegas-fan-mod-is-a-coincidence/|website=GamesRadar|publisher=Future plc|title=Bethesda says Fallout 4 DLC resembling New Vegas fan mod is a "coincidence"|date=July 15, 2016}}

{{Clear}}

{{Reflist}}

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