In Fallout 76, players explore a vast open world set in a post-apocalyptic version of West Virginia, taking on the roles of Vault 76 dwellers who emerge to reclaim the wasteland. The gameplay emphasizes survival, crafting, and exploration, with a modified S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system for character creation and a real-time V.A.T.S. targeting system.

The storyline of Fallout 76 unfolds a quarter-century after a nuclear disaster, focusing on the efforts of players to rebuild society and uncover the mysteries of the wasteland. The absence of human NPCs shifts the narrative delivery to environmental storytelling and audio logs.

Fallout 76 stands out with its unique features, including the ability for players to build settlements anywhere on the map and the introduction of nuclear missile mechanics, allowing for dynamic interactions and conflicts between players.