Choosing the Future: What Happens When You Side with the Institute in Fallout 4
So, you’re standing in the gleaming white halls of the Institute, face-to-face with Father – your son, Shaun – and considering making this technologically advanced, yet morally ambiguous, organization your home. The decision carries significant weight, reshaping not only your character’s destiny but also the fate of the Commonwealth wasteland. Choosing to side with the Institute fundamentally alters the game’s storyline, locking you out of alliances with the Brotherhood of Steel and the Railroad. You will be tasked with eliminating both factions. Furthermore, siding with the Institute casts you in a role that many perceive as antagonistic, focusing on the advancement of Synth technology often at the expense of the surface dwellers. Expect to navigate complex moral dilemmas and face the consequences of your choices as you become an integral part of the Institute’s operations. This path offers unique quests, rewards, and a perspective on the post-apocalyptic world that is both fascinating and deeply unsettling.
The Path of the Institute: Loyalty and Consequences
When you commit to the Institute, the game dramatically shifts gears. Your primary allegiance will be to Father and the Institute’s objectives, which largely involve continuing their research and maintaining their clandestine control over the Commonwealth. Expect to undertake missions focused on:
- Synth production and management: You’ll become involved in the creation, deployment, and retrieval of Synths, sometimes dealing with rogue units or managing their integration (or lack thereof) into the surface world.
- Scientific research: Participate in the Institute’s ongoing research projects, often with ethical considerations at the forefront. This may involve experimenting on subjects (human or otherwise) or gathering data from the wasteland.
- Maintaining secrecy: The Institute thrives on its hidden existence. You’ll be tasked with protecting its secrets, which can involve eliminating threats or manipulating events to ensure its continued anonymity.
- Eliminating opposition: A key aspect of siding with the Institute is the eventual destruction of the Brotherhood of Steel and the Railroad. This involves completing quests that lead to all-out war against these factions.
The rewards for your loyalty are substantial: access to advanced technology, the ability to teleport to and from the Institute, and the sense of contributing to what the Institute believes is the future of humanity. However, these benefits come at a cost: the condemnation of many in the Commonwealth and the potential moral compromises you’ll have to make along the way.
Unique Benefits of Institute Allegiance
Beyond the narrative implications, siding with the Institute offers tangible in-game advantages:
- Synth Relay Grenades: These grenades allow you to summon Synths to your location, providing powerful reinforcements in combat. These are purchased from a specific vendor in the institute post main quest.
- Advanced weaponry and armor: The Institute provides access to cutting-edge energy weapons and armor, giving you a significant edge in combat.
- Faction Perks: Progressing through the Institute’s questline unlocks unique perks that enhance your character’s abilities.
- Access to Institute facilities: You’ll have complete access to the Institute’s facilities, including its research labs, living quarters, and recreational areas.
Navigating the Moral Minefield
Choosing the Institute path is not for the faint of heart. The faction’s methods are often questionable, and you’ll be forced to confront the ethical implications of their actions. Are Synths just machines, or do they deserve the same rights as humans? Is it justifiable to manipulate and control the surface world for the sake of scientific advancement?
Your decisions will have consequences, shaping your character’s reputation and affecting your interactions with other characters. Be prepared to defend your choices and reconcile your conscience with the actions you take in the name of the Institute.
Considering the Alternatives
Before committing to the Institute, it’s crucial to consider the other factions and their perspectives. The Brotherhood of Steel offers order and security through military might, the Railroad champions the freedom of Synths, and the Minutemen strive to protect the innocent. Each faction offers a unique vision for the future of the Commonwealth. Exploring each faction’s storyline before making a final decision can provide a more complete understanding of the world and help you choose the path that best aligns with your values. Learning through games is an interesting concept that the Games Learning Society fully promotes and understands. Learn more on the subject at GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Institute
1. Can I still complete side quests if I join the Institute?
Yes, you can still complete many side quests even after siding with the Institute. However, you will be locked out of any quests that conflict with the Institute‘s goals, particularly those associated with the Brotherhood of Steel and the Railroad.
2. What happens to my companions if I join the Institute?
Your companions will react differently to your decision to join the Institute. Some, like Piper, may express disapproval or even leave your service. Others, like X6-88, will be pleased with your choice. Your relationship with each companion will depend on their individual values and beliefs.
3. Can I betray the Institute after joining?
Betraying the Institute is possible, but it requires careful planning. You’ll need to maintain a working relationship with the Minutemen and use them to launch an attack on the Institute. Be prepared for a difficult and dangerous path, as the Institute will become your enemy.
4. What happens to Shaun if I destroy the Institute?
If you side with the Railroad, Shaun will stay behind and die in the explosion when the reactor detonates. Tinker Tom will say he will teleport Shaun out of the Institute and have the child taken care of. If you side with the Railroad and choose to abandon Shaun, Shaun does not appear in the game again.
5. Can I still build settlements if I join the Institute?
Yes, you can still build and manage settlements even after joining the Institute. However, your focus will shift from helping the surface dwellers to supporting the Institute‘s goals. You may be tasked with providing resources to the Institute or using your settlements to gather information.
6. Is there a “good” ending if I side with the Institute?
The concept of a “good” ending is subjective in Fallout 4. Siding with the Institute is often viewed as an antagonistic choice, but it can be argued that their vision for the future, while morally questionable, is the most likely to ensure humanity’s survival. It depends on your personal interpretation of what constitutes a “good” outcome.
7. Can I become the leader of the Institute?
Yes, the player can potentially become the leader of The Institute if they side with them.
8. Why did Institute kidnap Shaun?
Shaun, now an old man calling himself Father, reveals that he was kidnapped by Kellogg to become a specimen for synth experiments due to his pure pre-war DNA.
9. How many endings are in Fallout 4?
There is 4 endings, they are all quite similar with the exception of a few minor things. The answer to the “best” ending is subjective. Basically the 4 factions The Minutemen, Brotherhood of Steel, The Railroad and The Institute are your choices for ending.
10. Can you get Shaun to leave the Institute?
No, if you side with the Institute, Shaun stays there. If you side with the Railroad you can get him. (Not as a follower of course)
11. Can you destroy both Institute and the Brotherhood?
You cant destroy the Institute and Brotherhood at exactly the same time. But you absolutely can destroy both and have the Minutemen restored.
12. Is Father actually Shaun Fallout 4?
Shaun, also known as Father, is the son of the Sole Survivor and is the director of the Institute.
13. Can you side with the institute without killing the railroad?
It is possible to hold off on the Railroad‘s destruction by warning Desdemona and continue with the Railroad questline. One can then destroy the Railroad after completing Rockets’ Red Glare should they choose to remain with the Institute.
14. What happens to Piper if you join the institute?
If the player character ends the main quest by siding with the Institute and then talks to Piper, she might be distraught and angry at the player character for the world thus created.
15. Is The Sole Survivor a synth?
No, the Sole Survivor is not a synth.
In conclusion, siding with the Institute in Fallout 4 is a complex and impactful decision. It offers unique rewards and a fascinating perspective on the game’s world, but it also comes with moral compromises and the condemnation of many. Carefully consider the consequences before committing to this path, and be prepared to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.