Fallout 3 introduced the VATS (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System) combat mechanic to the Fallout series, allowing players to freeze time and line up critical shots on enemies. This proved to be an extremely popular way to slay foes in Fallout 3 and New Vegas, and so Bethesda is bringing VATS back for the next game in the series, Fallout 4.

Fallout 4 isn't content to just rest on its laurels when it releases this November, however. While VATS will still be a great source for hyper-detailed mayhem and jaw-dropping gore, VATS is being tweaked in Fallout 4 so that it won't be as easy to abuse this time around.

In Fallout 3 and New Vegas, VATS literally froze time, and allowed players to get shots in on enemies that had no hope of fighting back until the sequence was completed. A lot of players abused the system as a cheap way to keep themselves from death, and Bethesda hopes the tweaks they're making to VATS will make it more compelling and less prone to abuse.

As explained by director Todd Howard, instead of completely stopping time, VATS will now simply cause the game to go in slow motion. What this means is that enemies can still move around while players are targeting them with VATS, so the percentage chance that the player has to hit them can change if say, the enemy moves behind a structure or moves farther way.

Another change being made to VATS is the way that critical hits work in the game. Previously, critical hits, marked by more explosive and devastating shots, were random. Now players will be able to choose which one of their shots in VATS will be the critical hit. This will allow players to be a bit more creative during combat, and should result in a more engaging combat experience overall.

Of course, if they so choose, players can decide to ignore the cinematic and strategic spectacle of VATS and play the game like a standard first-person shooter, or even a third-person shooter. Player choice is what has made the Fallout franchise such a popular series, and adding even more choice to the game in areas like VATS only increases the opportunity for genuine player choice in the game.

The improved version of VATS is just one of many ways that Bethesda plans on making Fallout 4 the ultimate Fallout experience. The game will allow a glimpse into pre-bomb life for the characters, as well as feature an extensive crafting system that includes settlement building. Fallout 4 will also feature voice acting for the main characters, a first for the series, as well as a Mass Effect-esque dialogue tree. All of these are ways that Fallout 4 is a noticeable leap forward from its predecessors.

Fallout 4 is releasing November 10th for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Source: Games Radar