I've barely scratched the surface of the game but the new crafting system is AWESOME! Its almost like playing The Sims, if The Sims didn't svck and was set in a post apocalyptic world. I couldn't stop building, tearing down, rebuilding, furnishing, and fortifying my houses last night. Bethesda...you guys got it right with this feature.

10/10 - would build again

EDIT 1: Added screenshots for those interested, you can view them at his http://imgur.com/a/DkPKv.

Well, if it weren't so clunky (on PC) I'd love it, too - and even more so if I could build something that looked great (and not like a damned SLUM - why would a character who lived before the war accept that he has to live in a crappy looking world like that?)

ps: Get rid of the diesel-generators -.- (Oil is supposedly almost gone in Fallout - while nuclear power is abundant) and the damned wires (they look crappy/dorky!)

It's a great feature with the potential for even more depth, This is easily one of the best things added to the Fallout universe, alongside an incredibly robust crafting system. My only complaint is that the game doesn't do a well enough job teaching you effectively how to use the system which can be annoying at times, for example you can hit a button to bring up your workshop anywhere in your community without having to run all the way back to your workshop, I didn't know this and wasted plenty of time running back and forth.

You see, I decided to create my stronghold on Spectacle Island which led me on an awesome misadventure across Boston, swimming across the bay and jumping while spamming RadAway and RadX. Anyhoo, cleared the Isle of all it's original inhabitants of the Mirelurk kind *had to go suit up to deal with an extra pesky special enemy which included me bringing out my tactical Fat-Man launcher* Once the island was cleaned up, I was able to begin building, which lasted a few hours to say the least.

Debating on turning the Island into a companion-only island community alongside inviting special, unique characters to come live there but I dunno, suggestions on this?

And what area are you building in?

Well Im still in Sanctuary, as I haven't ventured out very far yet. I basically cleared all the rubble and cleaned out all the old houses of materials and "went to town". I started with a 3 story stronghold, but it was too much, so I scrapped it all and went with a more suitable 2 story with a nice balcony. Built it on the plot right at the entrance to Sanctuary over the bridge. Then I took all the items I wanted from the older houses (couches, chairs, tables, vending machines, etc,) and furnished my place with those items. Next steps is to refurbish the older houses that are still standing for the NPCs living in Sanctuary and then fleshing that town out a bit more - that will be my base of operations for the time being.

P.S. if you guys didnt know there is a chem workbench behind the first house (may be 2nd house) on the left as you are entering Sanctuary.

Yes, the crafting system is beyond just crafting, it's full out construction. The amount of materials is in this game, I honestly don't think I've seen such a variety. Now I'm sure there are games that have a huge variety, but they would be along the lines of a building sim than an actual action-rpg like Fallout. I tended to leave certain items lay about in both the station and town, until I figured out what they were for. I've cleaned out the gas station and I think I'm just going to make that my personal home, so I started actually doing real decoration to that place.

Is there like a bobble-head stand or something? I've picked up a Perception Bobble-head, but have no where to put it.

You don't need oil though to make diesel fuel, at least not petroleum oil.

And dude, it's Fallout...everything is going to be a ragtag world. This isn't Tenpenny Tower.

Yep, look under decorations, there is a stand that lets you put up all your found bobbleheads looks pretty cool

Might be because that's the best he can do. Your character wasn't exactly a prewar construction worker and he is dealing with limited tools ... Who even makes drywall in 2287 and what's left is all rotted and falling apart after years of exposure to the elements.

I like this system too, but it can be vastly improved. As someone said here on the forum, it's better than nothing.

This, and thank you.

Could one of you master builders please tell me how on earth I can build a wall at 90 degrees to another? Whenever it gets close it snaps in line. I want to be able to fix one end at an existing panel and rotate it from there, even if not a free rotation it would be good to have it snap at 90 degrees.

I'm conflicted about the settlements. I like all the crafting but the settlement maintenance is distracting to me. I wish there was a way to deputize an NPC to do it for me if I provide the materials.

I'm probably just flashing back to Hearthfire, but the settlement aspect seems like a DLC to me.

(I'm not hating on it, BTW. It's just that I wish it could be automated more. Come on, modders.)

There are corner pieces.

I'm no master builder, and have barely even touched the building tools, but I think there are corner pieces that will solve this.

I just started another new game last night, as I usually do when I have a new game so I can find the right build and playstyle that suits me. I better get this one right because I spent the entire time out of the vault tearing down sanctuary and scrapping everything for a future settlement ...

Thanks, doh!

Now if only they would protect you from the Rad storms Lots of kinks, but I to have spent a lot of time messing with it. My biggest complaint is the managment of the settlers, I still haven't figured out how to assign work without talking to each one and there really should be an I/F screen showing all work positions, who is filling them with the ability to assign work.

I like having the ability to scrap ALL the junk inside the settelment, I wish there was a way to scrap cars and collasped structures outside your settlement.

Or even items that are partially inside the boundary ... I have this fallen tree sticking partially into sanctuary boundaries that my "OCD" demands to be removed yet it can't be scrapped. There's also a few fence pieces stuck in bushes inside sanctuary that I can't click to scrap.

Oh wow, that's what that thing is called...I didn't know what to call it, but it happened to me last night on my way to Lexington, just after talking to Trashcan Carla. Heard that weird noise and that "storm" came about and I'm all like "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?"

Totally took me by surprise. Love the feature.

That could just be a piece that wasn't meant to be moved, no matter where it was placed. I know there are some items where the corner of it is just barely inside the boundary and I can scrap it.

Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about the boundary system, seems way too rigid. I can understand why the mechanic is there, but I can think of reasons why it should have been done another way. Maybe a tool kit and a companion and you should be able to scrap anything anywhere, and just carry the raws back to your settlement.

So how do I assign people to do things? I just have Sanctuary with the starter people, and I want to assign someone to manage the stuff I planted. One NPC always seems to be doing it anyway (or else she is looking for her contact lens among the razorwheat) but every time I talk to her, I just get the trade option.

Which... heh, I am enjoying putting the random things I find on my people. And dogmeat is rocking his welding goggles and bandana.

I really enjoy the settlement building too. It is a little confusing but I love the depth. I'd like to see the ability to build nicer parts associated with a perk. I'm thinking materials/look similar to The Sink in Old World Blues and maybe the ability to do so tied to your science and/or intelligence.

I too would like some help on assigning people to tasks...

I have about 20 hours in the game and I have only spent a couple of hours doing quests. The rest has been scrapping and building settlements. I have been obsessed with getting them all going and making sure everyone has a job and supply lines created.

Assigning people- go into building mode then highlight a person, then go to the task you want them to perform like farming, manning a guard post, or a store.

It's nice but the interface/ui whatever you call it is awkward, clunky and unintuitive.

make sure when your connecting your walls that there is a floor under them, sometimes it looks like there is and its not quite there. This is why I scrapped my first house because everything was caddy-wonk and it was a lot of trial and error

Yea it could use some improvements, also the top down view could use some work - its hard to get walls and floors to line up correctly somteimes