Fallout 4 VR released back in 2017, a standalone version of Fallout 4 in its entirety which is designed to be played using a virtual reality headset. In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to play the game along with any tips and tricks to get you more accustomed to the world of Fallout while playing in VR. So, grab your VR headset for PC and we’ll talk your through the basics.
This version of Fallout 4 is available to buy on the Steam store, supported by SteamVR-compatible headsets. One thing to consider is that this VR port does have mixed reviews on Steam, so we’d recommend that you to check out some of the guides and mods available on the Steam community guides to tweak settings and fix bugs.
How to play Fallout 4 VR – all the basics you need to know
Once you’ve got past the stage of downloading Fallout 4 VR and getting your VR headset set up, it’s time to jump in-game. If you’re a VR newbie, moving around can be disorientating, and there’s much more to learn. We’ve put together a range of tips and tricks below to help you out.
How to teleport in Fallout 4 VR
Step
Teleport with left trigger
One of the first skills you’ll need to learn as a sole survivor is how to run and teleport away.
To teleport you need to press the left trigger on your controller. Normally the dotted line will be blue, but if you start sprinting, it will turn green.
How to jog or sprint in Fallout 4 VR
Step
Open settings menu
To walk, jog, or sprint, you’ll need to change the settings.
Press the menu button on your controller and go down to settings. When you find it, click the VR button.
Step
Enable Direct Movement
At this point, you’ll see that there are lots of comfort settings, but for now, we are settling on running.
Click “Direct Movement” and you’ll be free to move with your touchpad and you won’t be limited to just teleportation.
Step
Use the touchpad to move
Using the touchpad, you can move your player’s body left or right, and backward or forwards.
To sprint, you do the same but press down on the touchpad.
How to look around in Fallout 4 VR
Step
Physically look around
To move your player’s head you can turn your own body 360 degrees and see the world around you. But if you are playing in a small location and cannot move you can use the right touchpad to move your character’s head (as we explain below).
Step
Alternatively, use the right touchpad
If you are playing in a small location and cannot move you can use the right touchpad to move your character’s head as an alternative to physically spinning around.
How to use Pip Boy in Fallout 4 VR
Step
Bring up your Pip Boy
To bring up your Pip Boy, bring your arm up to show the Pip Boy to your visor.
Step
Use the touchpad
With your Pip Boy in view, you just need to swipe the touchpad and then press left or right to navigate the pages of the tablet.
Step
Alternatively, enable Comfort Controls
If you find that regularly using your Pip Boy is uncomfortable, there is a comfort option.
Go back to the settings like you did before and you’ll find the comfort Pip Boy toggles which will bring your information up like a screen.
How to build in Fallout 4 VR
Step
Open the workshop
To begin building something you need to hover your controller over the workshop and press on the touchpad.
Step
Place selected object into the world
The left controller will show you the different categories of items and with the right controller, you can place whatever you selected into the world.
How to interact with dialogue in Fallout 4 VR
Step
Press on the touchpad
The dialogue works in the same way as you would expect from Fallout, so there is nothing new there. And as you expect you need to press the touchpad to pick your selection.
How to change weapon in Fallout 4 VR
Step
Press the center of your touchpad
To start switching weapon, touch the center of the touchpad.
Step
Swipe to your weapon of choice
While holding down on the center of the touchpad, swipe until you find the weapon that suits the situation.
And that is how to get yourself started on Fallout 4 VR. Outside of our guide here, there is an in-game tutorial to help you figure out how to battle once you progress beyond the very basics.
Can you play Fallout 4 VR With Meta Quest / Oculus?
When we were describing how to play, you may have noticed that your controller doesn’t work in the same way. For example, with the Meta Quest or older Oculus headset.
Fallout 4 isn’t designed for Oculus, but there is a way for you to play without buying a whole new VR set. The process is long, but follow this step by step route and you’ll be playing soon!
- Download and install OpenVR Input Emulator
- On your VR, bring up the “VR Input Emulator Settings” – you should find it at the bottom of the main window
- A dialog box will come up.
- Click the device drop down and select your controllers.
- Once they are both selected, press the “Input Remapping” button followed by the “Axis0”. The “Axis0” is your joystick.
- Select your emulation, We’d suggest “Position Based” because it’s better for the controls and movement.
- Click “Button Press Deadzone Fix” so you can utilize the joystick.
- Save.
- If you have only done one controller, start again for the other controller.
- Add a toggle to each of the touch controllers, this lets you turn on and off the emulation when you are in the game.
- Go back to the “Input Remapping Settings” screen and press A.
- Check the “Long Press” box.
- Listen to the audio cue to know when the toggle has switched.
- In the next drop down select “Toggle Touchpad Emulation”.
- Save
- Do the same to the other controller.
- Play!
How to improve graphics on Fallout 4 VR
A lot of players have complained that Fallout 4 looks glitchy or blurry on VR, but there is a way to straighten out those bugs.
Follow this step-by-step process and you’ll have a smoother picture in no time!
- Go to your “My Games/Fallout4VR”.
- Find “Fallout4Custom.ini”.
- Add “[VRDisplay] fRenderTargetSizeMultiplier=1.0”.
- Your SS settings will now have changed to 1.0.
- Go back to your “My Games/Fallout4VR”.
- Find “Fallout4VRCustom.ini”.
- Go to “General”.
- Find “sStartingConsoleCommand=”.
- Edit it to “”sStartingConsoleCommand=taa off;fxaa on””.
- This will turn off TAA and turn on FXAA.
This should have smoothed out any blurry, glitchy, or pixelated problems you might be experiencing with your Fallout 4 VR experience.
As the game develops you might not even need to update the Fallout 4 VR graphics but remember that if you are using mods, these techniques might not work. If you are using mods, ask the mod community how they have fixed the graphics, so you don’t end up glitching something else.
Don’t forget we have a great guide to the best mods for Fallout 4 VR over here.
Fallout 4 is a fantastic Virtual Reality game that has won more than 200 “Best of” awards including DICA and BAFTA. It is currently available on Steam, PlayStation, and Vive! In Fallout 4 you are the sole survivor of this apocalyptic world. The apocalypse in this story comes from a nuclear war. The object of the game is to survive!
Now that Fallout has come to VR you can not just play the survivor, but you can be them!
Further reading
If you are looking to get into VR even more, try these pages too:
And if you are looking for mods for another Bethesda classic – Skyrim VR, we have a page for that too right here, Best Mods for Skyrim VR.
