Fallout 4's interweaving quests were a massive departure from Oblivion and Skyrim, but it makes the RPG "the most replayable of all the Fallout games"

1. Games
2. RPGs
3. Fallout
4. Fallout 4

Fallout 4's interweaving quests were a massive departure from Oblivion and Skyrim, but it makes the RPG "the most replayable of all the Fallout games" News By Scott McCrae Contributions from Andrew Brown published 23 December 2025

Bethesda's Emil Pagliarulo describes them as "probably the most difficult thing I think I have ever done"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Bethesda) Share Share by:

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Pinterest
• Flipboard

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

Fallout and Elder Scrolls series writer Emil Pagliarulo reckons Fallout 4 is the most replayable game in the series due to factions interweaving with each other.

Speaking to GamesRadar+, Pagliarulo explains, "The interesting thing about Fallout 3 is there are no faction quests," while making note of Oblivion and Skyrim's questlines like the Thieves Guild, Fighters Guild, and Dark Brotherhood. He continues, "For Fallout 4, it was the first time we said, 'You play Skyrim, and you play these factions, but they're disconnected from the main quest. They're really self-contained. In Fallout 4, let's weave everything together'. And it was the first time we did that."

Pagliarulo describes the interweaving questlines as "probably the most difficult thing I think I have ever done, or the design team has ever done." He recalls, "At one point, I gave a talk about that, and the slide for the talk is just a big bowl of spaghetti. Because that's what it felt like, all these threads and strings that are just a mess."

You may like

• Bethesda reflects on 10 years of Fallout 4: "You have to accept the creative choices you make on every game"
• Bethesda lead explains the biggest difference between writing Skyrim and Fallout is how you piece together the story
• The Outer Worlds 2 game director campaigned to have Fallout: New Vegas-style factions that tie into the RPG's main story

However, despite how hard it was for the team, Pagliarulo is happy with how it turned out. As he explains, "Doing all that work and having it stand the test of time, I think it makes Fallout 4 maybe the most replayable of all the Fallout games, which is what I love about it." And while the 200 people on their 500th New Vegas may disagree with that one, it certainly is a compelling argument in Fallout 4's favor.

Bethesda was scared of making Fallout 3, but by Fallout 4 it had chilled out: "we don't have to be so reverential now."

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Bethesda Game Studios Bethesda Softworks CATEGORIES Nintendo Switch 2 Xbox Series X PS5 PC Gaming Platforms Nintendo Xbox PlayStation Scott McCraeSocial Links NavigationContributor

Scott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

With contributions from

• Andrew BrownFeatures Editor

Show More Comments

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Bethesda reflects on 10 years of Fallout 4: "You have to accept the creative choices you make on every game"    Bethesda lead explains the biggest difference between writing Skyrim and Fallout is how you piece together the story    The Outer Worlds 2 game director campaigned to have Fallout: New Vegas-style factions that tie into the RPG's main story    “We started with the solid foundation that we inherited from Fallout 3”: How Fallout: New Vegas delivered a bigger, better post-apocalypse by sticking to the script – mostly    Explore the history of the Fallout games with some of the devs who helped bring the iconic RPG franchise to life    Almost 30 years later, Fallout 1's depth of choice, chance, and consequence is still an RPG gold standard    Latest in Fallout Fallout: New Vegas lead writer says "you can't just make your tyrants cardboard villains"    Bethesda lead explains the biggest difference between writing Skyrim and Fallout is how you piece together the story    Ex-Bethesda lead reveals origins of Fallout's text and iconic "F*** You": "I was honestly expecting them to tell me to delete it"    Ludicrous Fallout: New Vegas meme becomes a reality thanks to Fallout season 2 advertising on the Las Vegas sphere    Fallout 5 will exist in the same universe as the Amazon Prime TV show, says Todd Howard    Todd Howard knows it's "disappointing" there's no Fallout 5 to release with the show, but "it'll do great" when it gets here    Latest in News Banjo-Kazooie creator reveals that the mythical "Stop 'N' Swop" feature was originally bigger than we ever knew    The first Avengers: Doomsday trailer is now officially online, as the Russo Brothers explain why they brought Cap back    We're getting Divinity over more Baldur's Gate 3 because Larian devs weren't enjoying "doing the D&D thing"    GameStop is back with its ridiculous $6 amiibo deals, and I want the lot    Fallout 4 writer says interweaving quests makes the RPG "the most replayable of all the Fallout games"    Despite wanting Arc Raiders to win GOTY, Shroud admits Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is good after finally playing it    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy
2. 2Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"
3. 3Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
4. 4Sleep Awake review: "An all-timer horror premise is let down by tired stealth that I feel like I'm sleepwalking through"
5. 5Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review: "The series' atmosphere has never been better, while being dragged down by a boring overworld and clunky psychic powers"

1. 1Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
2. 2Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
3. 3Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
4. 4Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
5. 5The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"

1. 1Fallout season 2 review: "A hell of a lot of fun despite being overcrowded and convoluted"
2. 2Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
3. 3Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
4. 4The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
5. 5IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"