Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition - The (Almost) Free Upgrade to Bethesda's Game

Ten years after its debut, Fallout 4 returns with a celebratory version that aims to be the most complete and modern ever released. The Anniversary Edition is not just a content package, but a true update designed to bring the game up to the technical standards expected in 2025. Bethesda has included the base game, all six official DLCs, and over 150 Creation Club contents, including weapons, armor, settlement items, and small additional quests. Added to this is the new Creations menu, which allows users to download and manage mods and content directly from the game, a first for the series.

The real difference from previous versions is the next-gen optimization. Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition supports 4K resolution, a (theoretically) stable 60 FPS frame rate in Performance mode, and a Quality mode that pushes graphic settings to the maximum, with sharper shadows, cleaner textures, and improved draw distance. On PS5 and Xbox, the game is native, with faster loading times and optimized streaming for SSDs, while on PC, widescreen and ultrawide support, Steam Deck compatibility, and smoother mod management are introduced. Bug fixes and stability improvements have also been implemented, along with minor tweaks to the interface and controls to make the experience more modern.

The new Creations menu is free for all Fallout 4 owners. The complete upgrade to the Anniversary Edition, which includes DLCs and Creation Club content, is available as an add-on package: approximately €19.99 for those who already own the DLCs, €39.99 for those who only own the base game, while the standalone version costs €59.99. Game Pass and PlayStation Plus subscribers have dedicated options to obtain extra content. Bethesda has confirmed that the upgrade is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, and PS4, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version planned for 2026.

Apocalyptic Problems in Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition

The launch has not been without its criticisms. Many users have reported sudden crashes, mod incompatibilities - many of which are incompatible - and bugs that prevent the game from starting or DLC content from being recognized. The new Creations menu, designed to improve the experience, in some cases causes forced shutdowns and conflicts with scripts used by older mods. On PC, Fallout 4 has been inundated with negative reviews on Steam, with performance drops and suspicions about the introduction of a paid mod system.

Console users are also experiencing stability issues and longer loading times. Bethesda has acknowledged the situation and announced an imminent hotfix, followed by two corrective patches between late November and mid-December, which should resolve bugs, crashes, and increase the creation capacity on Xbox up to 100 GB. In the meantime, the community advises disabling automatic updates or reverting to the previous version to avoid mod incompatibilities.