The Ultimate Guide to Fallout 4 Vaults: Unveiling the Top-Tier Hidden Gems

Highlights

The Vaults in the Fallout franchise tell tales of inhumane conduct and cruel experiments carried out by Vault-Tec Corporation.

Vault 75 stands out as the most sorrowful of all Vaults, as it forcibly separated parents from their children, subjecting them to genetic experiments that only the fittest offspring could endure. Additionally, Vaults 81, 118, and 114 possess captivating origins.

In Fallout, the people exemplify the tenacious human spirit by enduring against all odds in a desolate wasteland. The hardships faced in the aftermath of the world's nuclear conflict are severe, and only the strongest manage to survive in Fallout 4's Commonwealth. While humanity rushed towards its imminent demise, Vault-Tec Corporation developed supposedly livable vaults, claimed to provide refuge during the impending nuclear storm. However, as unveiled in Fallout 2, the company had a much more sinister agenda, subjecting the vault residents to cruel experiments. The Fallout franchise features numerous such chambers, and in Fallout 4, the vaults can be ranked based on their complexity.

Vaults hold significant cultural value in the Fallout universe. Although not all of these locations are accessible, Bethesda effectively portrays the cruelty of the setting through these structures. Initially presented as safe havens amidst the nuclear catastrophe, the vault walls in Fallout bore witness to heinous crimes committed against their inhabitants. Vault-Tec exploited its citizens as test subjects, seeking an advantage over their adversaries. Fallout 4 offers a total of seven explorable Vaults, including those featured in the game's downloadable content. Each vault tells a unique and disturbing tale of inhumane behavior.

S Tier

Vault 75: Among the vaults, none had a more tragic past than Vault 75. This sorrowful tale unfolds beneath the Malden Middle School, where Vault-Tec designated the vault to house school staff, children, and their families. Players of Fallout 4 who venture into this hidden shelter will uncover the unimaginable horrors perpetuated by the corporation. When the nuclear war erupted, Vault staff forcefully separated parents from their children, executing and cremating the adult residents without mercy.

The orphaned children were raised by Vault-Tec personnel and indoctrinated to fear the outside world. The staff conducted tests to assess the children's genetic superiority, with only those possessing the strongest genes being selected at the age of 18. These chosen individuals had their genetic material harvested, while any child deemed unworthy met a fate akin to that of their parents. After enduring a century of suffering, the children of Vault 75 eventually rebelled, slaying the scientists and escaping their confinement.

Vault 81: Within the world of Fallout 4, Gunners have established their residence in the Vault, while the Brotherhood may also make an appearance during gameplay. Originally conceived as a facility to develop remedies for all known diseases by infecting its inhabitants and conducting experiments, Vault 81 took a different path when the initial Overseer, Dr. Olivette, safeguarded the inhabitants upon discovering Vault-Tec's true intentions. Segmenting the few surviving scientists from the rest of the population, the dwellers of Fallout 4's Vault 81 transformed it into a prosperous and thriving community. Notably, they even engineered Curie, a robotic companion capable of accompanying players on their journeys.

A Tier

Vault 118, featured in the Fallout 4 Far Harbor DLC, immerses players in a captivating murder mystery set beneath a hotel. Originally intended to house indulgent celebrities amidst opulent surroundings, the Vault instead enthralls gamers with its suspenseful narrative. As players delve into the investigation of a robobrain's demise, they assume the role of detectives, skillfully interrogating suspects and presenting accusations. Throughout their quest, players also acquire valuable loot strewn across the expansive map. It is worth mentioning, however, that Vault 118's creation bears a striking resemblance to a fan mod known as Autumn Leaves, giving rise to a controversial development history.

B Tier

Vault 114: Offering Fallout players an exceptional gaming experience, Vault 114 served as the introduction to the beloved companion, Nick Valentine, widely regarded as the finest ally in Fallout 4. In addition to fostering a newfound sense of camaraderie, players also engage in an exhilarating confrontation with the notorious gangster Skinny Malone within this vault. As an added delight, players can enjoy an entertaining holotape interview featuring Soup Can Harry. Originally designed as a social experiment, intended to house the elite of Boston amidst less glamorous living conditions, Vault 114 never fulfilled its original purpose.

Vault 95 was yet another twisted social experiment conducted by Vault-Tec. It lured residents in by promising them shelter and a chance to overcome their addiction to chems. Initially, things seemed to be going well, as many responded positively to the treatment and showed signs of progress. However, after five years, the experiment took a dark turn when a Vault-Tec employee living among the dwellers opened a hidden stash of drugs. Chaos ensued, leading to a violent conflict among the residents resulting in their eventual demise. In Fallout 4, Vault 95 is now a Gunner hideout. Players have the opportunity to clear the location and also discover a cure for Cait's addiction to Psycho.

C Tier

Vault 111 marked the beginning of Fallout 4's campaign. It employed cryogenic technology to induce a forced frozen slumber among its population, under the guise of a decontamination facility. The Sole Survivor wakes up in this chamber, bearing witness to the murder of their spouse and the abduction of their child. A power malfunction results in the demise of all other inhabitants in the vault. Aside from obtaining the cryolater freeze gun, there is not much to do in Vault 111, as it serves as the starting point for Fallout 4's story.

Vault 88 made its debut in the Vault-Tec Workshop DLC for Fallout 4. While this chamber was intended to allow players to assume the role of overseer and control the residents, Bethesda missed the mark with its ethical limitations. Vault 88 provided ample space for construction, featuring various Vault-themed building options. However, the experiments within it were relatively tame, such as generating power through cola machines. This pales in comparison to the elaborate projects undertaken by Vault-Tec.

Fallout 4 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.