Fallout 4 is set in the post-apocalyptic Commonwealth region. This wasteland primarily covers the ruins of Boston, Massachusetts , and surrounding areas in eastern Massachusetts.

Core Setting Details

The game unfolds in 2287 , 210 years after the Great War of 2077 that devastated the world. Players emerge from Vault 111 near Sanctuary Hills (a fictional suburb) to explore a irradiated landscape filled with mutants, factions, and remnants of pre-war America. Boston serves as the central hub, reimagined as a crumbling cityscape with landmarks like the Citadel (formerly Fort Independence) and the Institute beneath it.

Key areas include:

  • Cambridge : Early-game zone with key quests and the Brotherhood of Steel's arrival via airship Prydwen.
  • Diamond City : A major settlement built in Fenway Park's ruins, acting as the game's economic heart.
  • Concord : Site of the Minutemen's museum and first power armor encounter.
  • Glowing Sea : A lethally irradiated crater in the southwest, home to deathclaws and the Institute's secrets.

Why Massachusetts?

Bethesda chose New England for its mix of urban decay, coastal vibes, and tech lore ties (like MIT's pre-war synth research). The Commonwealth name nods to the region's provisional government before the bombs fell, blending real history with Fallout's retro-futuristic flair. Picture strolling irradiated Fenway or a foggy harbor swarming with mirelurks—it's a perfect wasteland canvas.

Expansions Extend the Map

Base game sticks to mainland Commonwealth, but DLCs broaden horizons:

  1. Far Harbor : Foggy islands off Maine, pitting survivors against fog crawlers and cults.
  2. Nuka-World : Amusement park raider haven in a fictional southern area.
    These add ~100 more locations, but the heart remains Boston's bones.

Area| Real-World Inspiration| Key Features
---|---|---
Boston| Boston, MA| Factions, skyscraper ruins, synths 1
North End| North End, Boston| Triggermen gang, Italian vibes
Financial District| Downtown Boston| Goodneighbor slum, drug dens
Glowing Sea| Plymouth-area nuke zone| Radiation storms, Children of Atom 4

Fan Perspectives & Trends

Fallout fans on Reddit still debate ideal settings—some pushed for Chicago or Florida pre-release, but Boston's density won out for exploration. As of 2026, with the Amazon Fallout TV series boosting interest, forums buzz about mods recreating Boston in VR or linking it to the show's West Coast vibes. Interactive maps remain popular for settlement building, a core mechanic where you claim 30+ spots like Spectacle Island or The Castle.

"The Commonwealth appears to be what they are hinting at... a state next to an ocean." – Early Reddit speculation that nailed it.

TL;DR : Fallout 4 takes place in the Commonwealth (Boston area, Massachusetts) in 2287—a nuked playground of survival and story.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.