With anticipation building for the release of Fallout Season 2, Bethesda is keeping the momentum alive in the wasteland with a brand-new expansion for Fallout 76. Launching alongside the next chapter of the hit series, the Burning Springs will add even more to the franchise’s unmistakable retro-futuristic aesthetic and post-apocalyptic landscapes, offering players fresh opportunities to explore, survive, and shape their own stories. 

After launching with mixed reviews in 2018, Fallout 76 has evolved with over 62 major patches, transforming the game into the expansive, community-driven experience players enjoy today. As with previous releases, this free expansion marks the next major leap forward, promising the largest and most ambitious content update yet for the online wasteland.

Whether they’re a seasoned survivor or leaving the vault for the first time, players will venture into a brand-new region in the North West to explore the Burning Springs, a sprawling landscape filled with new dangers, secrets, and opportunities unlike anything seen before in Appalachia.

At the heart of this region lies the Highway Town, a massive new community hub where survivors can connect, trade, and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Drawing inspiration from the critically acclaimed Fallout TV series, as well as classic entries like Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, the new area will guide explorers through an all-new overarching story set within the region, before eventually stumbling upon a familiar, albeit somewhat ghoulish face.

Ever the lone wolf, Cooper Howard has been seen tracking bounties out of Highway Town, with Walton Goggins, the actor portraying the Ghoul on the TV series, lending his voice to the role. With his introduction, players will be able to undertake new bounty hunting missions on his behalf, completing low-level Grunt Hunts in exchange for a steady flow of Caps, experience, and the occasional legendary item.

Once players have proven themselves, the Ghoul will be a touch more generous in splitting his bounties. Head Hunts, a new public event offered by the Ghoul, has players chasing a bounty on powerful opponents.

While the payout is worth it, it is strongly advised that you don’t go it alone, and fortunately, anyone within earshot can join in on the action. Not only will you earn more caps and experience than you would on a Grunt Hunt, but you might find yourself as the proud new owner of one of the many unique mods that offer benefits to both regular humans and ghoulified survivors alike.

​With its largest-ever new region, a bustling hub of survivor activity with a new storyline, and brand new events with unique rewards, the Burning Springs expansion is set to be more than just a content drop. It’s a testament to Bethesda’s ongoing commitment and dedication to Fallout and the community.

Written by: Mathew Lindner