As the first-ever playable Ghoul,Fallout 76has taken on quite a challenge to translate this iconic mutant race into a playable character. While exciting, there have been a few bumps in the road, though, asFallout 76’s playable Ghoul has already been the source of two new controversies.
In the short time since it was released, the new disguise mechanic for the playable Ghoul has turned out to be quite acontroversial feature inFallout 76. Following fans' strong reactions to the Ghoul’s disguise, Bethesda may need to find a happy middle ground for this feature to make playing as a Ghoul more accessible.
Fallout 76’s Ghoul Disguise Controversy Explained
For any players whotransform into a Ghoul inFallout 76, it will be necessary to wear a specific disguise when interacting with some of the key factions and independent quest-givers throughout the game. In previous iterations of the Ghoul’s disguise onFallout 76’s Public Test Server, the disguise originally featured several debuffs while players were wearing it. Even though these debuffs have since been removed, players are still largely unhappy with the Ghoul’s disguise mechanic. Some of the community’s biggest complaints about this feature so far are that it’s tedious to interact with, it can be quite a deterrent for newer players, and its overall contradictory nature.
The Ghoul Disguise Adds Unnecessary Loading Screens and Fast Travel Costs
Currently, equipping and unequipping the Ghoul’s disguise requires players to visitJaye Vo in the Radiant Hills. Even though Radiant Hills is a free fast travel point, some of the quest locations players might be traveling to and from while using the disguise likely aren’t free. So, not only does the disguise require players to go through an arguably unnecessary amount of loading screens, but it also slowly costs players Caps to travel around, despite the disguise itself being free to equip and unequip.
Playing as Ghoul Creates a Barrier to Entry for Newer Players
For longtime players who have already completed the available questlines inFallout 76before becoming a Ghoul, the disguise mechanic is generally only needed for visiting NPC vendors found within some of the faction hubs. However, for players who still need to complete these quests, the Ghoul’s disguise can be quite the barrier to entry as it’s required for the majority of existing quests. Hence, for any new and returning players whocreate a new character inFallout 76to become a Ghoul, the disguise can be quite a deterrent for what is otherwise a worthwhile experience.
The Disguise Mechanic Isn’t Consistent with Fallout 76’s Factions
Another point of criticism for the playable Ghoul’s disguise is that most of the factions that players are required to wear a disguise to visit have known affiliations with Ghoul NPCs and other mutant races, who themselves don’t need to wear disguises. A prime example of this is theRaiders at the Crater, who knowingly employ the services of a Ghoul and a Super Mutant. Hence, it isn’t exactly justified that this main faction inFallout 76would be distrustful of the player character for being a Ghoul.
How Fallout 76 Can Improve the Ghoul’s Disguise Mechanic
Leaving the disguise’s debuffs permanently removed is a good start, but there are several ways this feature could be further improved. Considering that reception toFallout 76’s playable Ghoul character could influence a wider variety ofplayable characters in futureFalloutgames, Bethesda needs to consider finding a happy middle ground with the Ghoul’s controversial disguise mechanic for the sake of the franchise’s legacy.
