Bethesda’s Fallout series has been majorly popular, with installments like New Vegas reaching icon status in the video game world. It came as a surprise when, in 2018, Fallout 76 was buggy and far removed from the other Fallout games on release. The game received poor ratings and sales shortly after its launch, and has since had its fair share of additional controversies. However, these developments have not prompted Bethesda to abandon the game. In November 2020, they released the first part of the Brotherhood of Steel expansion arc with Steel Dawn, and are finishing it with the Steel Reign expansion that released today, July 7, 2021. A large update including this expansion, an introduction to the new season, and several other features is available now.

Update 28 is here!

Dive into the conclusion of the Brotherhood of Steel story, Legendary Items, and K.D. Inkwell’s return in the 5th Season for #Fallout76.

Check out the patch notes here: https://t.co/r2PLy0ZSlq pic.twitter.com/4XHGCW5YGd

— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) July 7, 2021

The Brotherhood of Steel expansion follows the questline of the Brotherhood as they attempt to establish their presence in Appalachia. Throughout the story, they experience conflicts from other characters, within themselves, and from the player. For the Steel Reign installment, these conflicts come to a head and the future of the Brotherhood is in the hands of the player. Over the course of the arc, Bethesda introduced new cosmetics and mechanics, like the C.A.M.P. Shelters and armor, and for the conclusion of the release they announced the installment of several more new experiences. Just the Steel Reign expansion promises new quests, locations, and rewards, and included in the update are patch notes that reveal the beginning of a new Season, Season 5, a new vendor, wallet upgrades, and most importantly, Legendary Crafting. Legendary Crafting has not been seen in Fallout 76 yet, and will allow players to upgrade their weapons and armor with a crafting mechanic.

This expansion is just one part of Bethesda’s plan to rejuvenate and redeem Fallout 76. It is one stop on their expansion roadmap, which includes several more releases later in the year, i.e. The Pitt expansion, updates to private worlds, and the Tales from the Stars DLC. As more content is added to the game, the hope is the players will be driven and compelled by the story, and will give the series another shot.