Fallout 4: Automatron

Automatron is a fun piece of DLC that expands Fallout 4 in some interesting ways, applying the sort of customization previously reserved for settlements to your traveling companions. The results are satisfying. The story mode is brief, the narrative is mundane, and sadly the all-too-familiar Fallout 4 bugs are still hanging around, but the overall experience is rewarding, imaginative, and a pleasure to play.

The opportunity to revive Robot Wars in the wasteland makes up for some inessential new missions and a brief runtime.

Functional, yet prosaic. Constructing robots is a highlight, but Automatron's quest is short and unremarkable.

The feeling I couldn’t get away from – though it is just that – was that this was meant to just be the Automatron building mode with a very quick quest bolted on to explain its addition, with the bump in Season Pass cost demanding it hastily be re-written as a full adventure in its own right. That means we get more, but most of it just going through the motions instead of offering anything that feels notably different, and certainly nothing as memorable as heading to Big MT in New Vegas or even the spaceship abduction or recreated war of Fallout 3.

Going in with modest expectations despite that price point, this is a decent DLC release. The main draw, the robot-building feature, is cooler and more extensive than expected. I wouldn't get Automatron for its story alone, though. And I'd also hesitate to recommend it if you've already had your fill of adventures across the Commonwealth. You're better off waiting for Far Harbor and its new setting.

Fun for at least a few hours, Automatron is a solid start to Fallout 4's stream of DLC. While it isn't quite substantial enough to satisfy those waiting for a proper expansion, there's still a surprising amount of depth to be found here thanks to the newly implemented robot crafting system. If you've been looking for an excuse to revisit the Commonwealth, there's no reason to ignore the call of the Mechanist.

This unremarkable DLC quest is rescued by the new robot-building mechanic. This is no sole reason to head back to the Wasteland, but is a fine addition to a game-in-progress.

While the majority of this review was spent poking holes in Automatron, there’s one thing that should be made clear: it’s a reason to dive back into Fallout 4 for a few hours.

Fallout 4's first DLC, Automatron, is robot centric and although it doesn't pack as many new quests as consumers may hope, it more than makes up for it with the robot workbench.

Noble additions to the core game, and anyone just picking up the game with the season pass for the first time will take the content at face value, as it mixes in with the core game as if it’s simple a part of it. That in line is part of the problem with the first two content drops. They feel as if they could have been free or minor updates to the core game.