Should I do Nuka-World before the main quest? You don’t have to finish Fallout 4’s main story first. Bethesda says the add-on can be played at any time during the original game. Level 30 is when its usual quest and radio prompt appears, but you can find the entrance earlier. For a first playthrough, choose based on your character’s readiness and whether a raider-centered story fits your role-play.
Do you have to finish the main story first?
No. Bethesda Support says Nuka-World can be played at any time during the original Fallout 4 game. The main quest is not a prerequisite for entering the add-on. Bethesda Support’s Nuka-World access instructions describe two ways to start, depending on your character’s level.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Fallout 4 Game of The Year Edition - PlayStation 4 | $30.81 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Fallout 4 Game of The Year Edition - PlayStation 4 | $30.27 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Fallout 4 Game of The Year Edition - Xbox One | $33.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Fallout 4 Game of The Year Edition - Xbox One (Renewed) | $26.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Fallout 4 Goty (PS4) | $36.00 | Buy on Amazon |
How to start Nuka-World
At level 30 or above
At level 30, the game adds the “All Aboard” quest and the Nuka-Cola Family Radio station. Follow the quest prompt to begin heading to the park.
Below level 30
You can travel to the Nuka-World Transit Center, far west on the map, and discover it directly. Level 30 is therefore the normal prompt and a useful readiness cue—not a hard gate imposed by the main story.
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#1 Best Overall
- Freedom and Liberty Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours
- Be whoever you want with the special character system. From a power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of perks and develop your own playstyle
- New next generation graphics and lighting engine brings to life the world of fallout. From the blasted forests of the common wealth to the ruins of Boston, every location is packed with dynamic detail
- Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage
Is it a good fit for your first playthrough?
Consider the storyline as well as your character’s level. Nuka-World centers on a raider-run park: you can take the Overboss role and make decisions involving its gangs, or pursue a route that ends raider control. That premise may suit a character willing to lead raiders better than one whose defining commitment is protecting Commonwealth settlements. The Nuka-World overview describes the expansion’s broad premise and choice of direction.
If you want to avoid spoilers, you can postpone the add-on until you have decided how you want your character to respond to the raiders. If you are comfortable with that premise, there is no need to wait for the main quest to be complete; start when your character feels prepared to take on the park.
Rank #2
- Freedom and Liberty Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours
- Be whoever you want with the special character system. From a power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of perks and develop your own playstyle
- New next generation graphics and lighting engine brings to life the world of fallout. From the blasted forests of the common wealth to the ruins of Boston, every location is packed with dynamic detail
- Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage
What the access guidance does—and doesn’t—tell you
Bethesda’s access instructions establish when and how you can start Nuka-World. They do not enumerate the downstream effects of particular choices on every main-quest faction, settlement, or companion. Don’t treat the level requirement or the fact that the DLC is playable at any time as proof that every choice is consequence-free—or that the same consequences apply to every character.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- GOTY edition, includes original game on disc and all available DLC as download codes
- Freedom and Liberty! - Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours.
- Game of the Year Edition - Includes all the fully updated original game along with all six add-ons: Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World..
- Violence and V.A.T.S.! - Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage.
- You’re S.P.E.C.I.A.L! - Be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system. From a Power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of Perks and develop your own playstyle.
Rank #4
- Freedom and Liberty! Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours
- Be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system. From a Power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of Perks and develop your own playstyle
- New next generation graphics & lighting engine brings to life the world of Fallout. From the blasted forests of the Commonwealth to the ruins of Boston, every location is packed with dynamic detail
- Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage
Rank #3
- GOTY edition includes original game on disc and all available DLC as download codes.
- Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours.
- Be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system. From a Power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of Perks and develop your own playstyle.
- An all-new next generation graphics and lighting engine brings to life the world of Fallout like never before. From the blasted forests of the Commonwealth to the ruins of Boston, every location is packed with dynamic detail.
- Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage.
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