A Fallout 4 player managed to recreate the Gecko Power Plant from Fallout 2 solely by using the game's settlement system. When it released in November 2015, Fallout 4 swiftly became the best-selling entry in the franchise with a staggering 12 million copies sold on launch day alone. While some criticism was aimed at its main narrative, its gameplay received near-universal praise, serving as an eventual blueprint for Bethesda's next two games: Fallout 76 and Starfield.
One of the defining features for Fallout 4 turned out to be its settlement system, a way for players to shape the world around them – to build within Bethesda's sandbox in a reactive way. Fallout 4's settlements allowed players to leave their own mark on the ruins of the Commonwealth, complete with trading posts and supply lines, scattered across 37 eligible locations scattered across the game's open world. The modularity of this system paved the way for Starfield's famous ship builder in 2023.
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Fallout 4 Player Recreates the Gecko Power Plant from Fallout 2
A Fallout 4 player named Infinite_Ability_127 shared their settlement build on the Bethesda Softworks subreddit, inspired by the Gecko Power Plant from Fallout 2. Originally owned by Poseidon Energy, the nuclear power plant was settled by ghouls in 2235, with Harold elected as its mayor. The build itself not only faithfully recreates the location from Fallout 2, but it also does the same for its reactor room. Rather than being a Fallout 4 mod, what makes Infinite_Ability_127's undertaking so impressive is the fact that it was made with the game's settlement system alone.
The Gecko Power Plant build by Infinite_Ability_127 highlights just how impressive settlements were in 2015, and rather than keep the feature unique to Fallout 4, Bethesda carried it over to Fallout 76 and Starfield as different, yet uncanny versions of the same system. For Fallout 76 specifically, it makes up the foundation of its C.A.M.P feature, which itself is the game's answer to player housing. That being said, whereas Fallout 76 lets players carve out their own corner in post-apocalyptic Appalachia, Fallout 4's settlements are about rebuilding the wasteland itself.
The game continues to be supported by Bethesda, as Fallout 4 recently received an update for the Switch 2 version, adding DLSS support to the platform, while also addressing numerous crashes and memory issues. In 2026, Fallout 4 is largely considered a complete title, with many fans looking forward to an eventual sequel. Given that it's been over a decade since Fallout 4's launch, it speaks to the game's longevity that it continues to be enjoyed by fans across all playable platforms – a popularity that has only strengthened further after the first two seasons of Amazon's Fallout show.
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Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
However, unless Fallout 5 is outsourced to a different studio, Fallout fans will likely have to wait a long time for the next installment, as Bethesda's team is currently hard at work in bringing The Elder Scrolls 6 to life. Whether Bethesda brings some form of the settlement system to Tamriel remains to be seen, but many players would no doubt be thrilled to have a customizable housing system that far exceeds what Hearthfire once introduced back in 2012.
Fallout 4
OpenCritic Reviews
Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, invite you to the ambitious open world of Fallout 4. Do whatever you want in a massive Commonwealth with hundreds of locations, characters and quests.
As the sole survivor of Vault 111, only you can rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone - the choices are yours.
From a Power Armor-toting soldier to the charismatic smooth-talker, be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system and develop your own playstyle from hundreds of Perks.
Experience exciting first- or third-person combat with the dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., targeting enemies for maximum tactical advantage (and cinematic carnage!) Collect, upgrade and build thousands of items with Fallout 4's crafting system. Weapons, armor, food and with the right materials, even entire settlements are possible. Welcome home.
