How map size matters

[TomGoodwrenchSK]

Before release, there was basicaly a flame discussion everywhere about how big / small the map in Fallout 4 is. Many players just want "big map big map", but ... Why ?
You can have the biggest map in the world, like in FUEL, but there´s NOTHING to see or do, and important aswell - nothing memorable. Even in GTA 5, the map is big, but is there something memorable about the map ? Not one location comes to my mind. Well, just one, the big hill and I can´t even remember what it was called.
And what does Fallout 4 have ? A map that isn´t gigantic, but just big enought, compact enought, full of places that you´ll remember with interesting quests, people, landmarks, enemies, or new allies ...
Or another example, look at the Spencer Mansion in the first Resident Evil game. It´s only ONE HOUSE, where you even frequently backtrack, but the thing is, the mansion is one of the most memorable places in gaming history.
On the other hand, we have Far Cry 2 as an example, that even has 2 big maps to explore, but ... what do you remember from that map ? Sand on the left, trees on the right, mercenaries somewhere in the middle.
In Fallout 4 (39 hours so far), I can already remember how to get to certain location even without a minimap.
And that´s how it´s supposed to be done in my opinion.
What do You think ?

[ers101284]

60 hours in havent even explored 1/4 of the map.

[Sir Corduroy]

Thats why bethesda refused to compare it to any other maps they've made. They said basically its not map size but density of things to do! Plus this map has a lot of buildings you can go in which have a lot of vertical playability compared to say skyrim where there are mountains but they aren't all full of rooms that you can look through and loot? I don't think its size, but more density of objects where its the amount of intractable items per square foot of game (in game size)

[KolonelSopDrol]

No complaints yet...

Are there usable boats in the game?

[mimizukari]

Originally posted by =DUKE=:

No complaints yet...

Are there usable boats in the game?

No, but there's a perk, aquaboy/aquagirl, no rads from swimming/can breathe underwater

[Marcy]

Honestly, I don't really feel the Fallout 4 map is small. It's not "Wow factor" large or anything, but it's incredibly dense, and incredibly detailed.

The GTA V map for example becomes stale and boring after a short while. Just because it's big doesn't mean it's interesting or immersive.

Fallout 4's detail and world design is incredible. Especially the downtown areas where you cross large, colonial buildings. I'd pick a dense, detailed and interesting smaller map over a large empty map any day.

[The_Pastmaster]

Originally posted by Khaldar:

Thats why bethesda refused to compare it to any other maps they've made. They said basically its not map size but density of things to do! Plus this map has a lot of buildings you can go in which have a lot of vertical playability compared to say skyrim where there are mountains but they aren't all full of rooms that you can look through and loot? I don't think its size, but more density of objects where its the amount of intractable items per square foot of game (in game size)

Pretty sure one of them said it was slightly bigger than Skyrim's map.

[Hurkaleez]

I'd like to see a bigger map, more wasteland along with random enemy(packs) to run into as we are heading toward destination. But I am not complaining either on Dev's choice for this smaller map, if they did it, they probably did it for a reason.

[Sir Corduroy]

Originally posted by The_Pastmaster:

Originally posted by Khaldar:

Thats why bethesda refused to compare it to any other maps they've made. They said basically its not map size but density of things to do! Plus this map has a lot of buildings you can go in which have a lot of vertical playability compared to say skyrim where there are mountains but they aren't all full of rooms that you can look through and loot? I don't think its size, but more density of objects where its the amount of intractable items per square foot of game (in game size)

Pretty sure one of them said it was slightly bigger than Skyrim's map.

If they did it was unofficial casual interview way, because when asked at E3, they deliberately said there weren't going to compare. But then again Bethesda suck at keeping their mouths shut!

[mimizukari]

Originally posted by Khaldar:

Originally posted by The_Pastmaster:

Pretty sure one of them said it was slightly bigger than Skyrim's map.

If they did it was unofficial casual interview way, because when asked at E3, they deliberately said there weren't going to compare. But then again Bethesda suck at keeping their mouths shut!

fo4 is 43 sq miles, skyrim is 39, it's 4 sq miles bigger.

[The_Pastmaster]

Originally posted by Plutia:

Originally posted by Khaldar:

If they did it was unofficial casual interview way, because when asked at E3, they deliberately said there weren't going to compare. But then again Bethesda suck at keeping their mouths shut!

fo4 is 43 sq miles, skyrim is 39, it's 4 sq miles bigger.

I'd love to know how people figure these things out. XD

[Vandalen]

i dont know. The Skyrim map looks way bigger to me. But there are huge mountains that hold you back.

But i dont have a problem with F4 map. It's huge and very detailed. The ocean part is a bit too big in my opinion. So much wastet space.

[Oleg Mongol]

The thing is, very few locations in the map are interesting.
Most buildings are boarded up or simply have uninteresting, dull interiors.
Boston is awfully small for a city.
A huge portion of the map is desolate wasteland with nothing but huge amounts of radiation and mutants.

[kyokko]

Originally posted by ers101284:

60 hours in havent even explored 1/4 of the map.

Same, almost 100 hours and I just explored 50% of outdoors and something like 30% (or even less) of interiors. The map is very detailed, 'on paper' size actually doesn't matters, plus interiors are huge and Boston city is more vertically than every Beth games.
Map design is outstanding; it makes you feel in a real big post apocalyptic city (finally).

[Borg Cube]

Theres so much stuff cramped together in this map though

[mimizukari]

Originally posted by b^rd^m^:

Originally posted by ers101284:

60 hours in havent even explored 1/4 of the map.

Same, almost 100 hours and I just explored 50% of outdoors and something like 30% (or even less) of interiors. The map is very detailed, 'on paper' size actually doesn't matters, plus interiors are huge and Boston city is more vertically than every Beth games.
Map design is outstanding; it makes you feel in a real big post apocalyptic city (finally).

yeah... echoing this sentiment, 42 hours in, not even 1/4th of the map explored yet... it's so big infact, it feels bigger than witcher 3, even though it isn't... maybe total space of all interiors and verticality make up for that? :P