Despite three subsequent entries in the series, there are still many fans that enjoy exploring the wasteland in Fallout 3 to this day. The game was originally released in 2008 and has not received the numerous re-releases that Skyrim has, but that has not deterred players. This is largely because of how Fallout 3 gives players an immense amount of freedom, but it is also helped by the considerable mod support that the game's community has built up over the years.
Bethesda games are well known for being some of the most moddable video games out there. The Creation Engine is particularly built to make the process as open and easy for modders as possible, and there are some incredible things that Fallout 3's community has made for the game. This includes a number of mods that completely change the game, offering longtime fans ways to experience Fallout 3 from a fresh perspective. Fallout 3 is one of the Bethesda games most deserving of a remaster, but in the case that it doesn't receive one, these mods are a great way to itch that Fallout itch.
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Fallout 3 Wanderer Edition
Fallout 3 Wanderer Edition is a massive mod made by a team of modders that aims to completely overhaul the game and increase its replayability. To do this, it focuses on improving the first-person shooter aspects of the game. Players will have access to expanded roleplaying possibilities through making more character builds viable and adding a variety of new features to the game. These include a built-in alternate start selection, new skill points, and more difficult sneaking. The mod makes the game feel completely new and is a great option for any players who have already checked out all of Fallout 3's best builds.
Ultimate Perk Pack
For players who don't want Fallout 3 changed as much, but are still a little too familiar with its vanilla perk options, Ultimate Perk Pack should satisfy fans. Ultimate Perk Pack adds 70 new perks to the game that are well balanced and cover a range of options, from the useful, to the funny and odd. There are perks that give players gills, increase the player's carrying capacity based on how many caps they have, and give players guaranteed critical hits when below 10% health. The mod is a great addition to the game, and many of the perks rival the very best perks in Fallout 3 while still being balanced.
Mart's Mutant Mod
Any player who has spent a decent amount of time wandering the D.C. wasteland has likely seen every single enemy in the game as much as they would like to. Luckily, Mart's Mutant Mod is a fantastic option to add some much-needed variety to the enemy pool in Fallout 3. The mod brings a ton of new enemy models to the game that all fit right in with the game's world and existing enemies and helps make Fallout 3's open world even better.
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FOOK 2
A sequel to the first FOOK (Fallout Overhaul Kit), FOOK 2 is another complete overhaul mod that changes Fallout 3 entirely. The mod includes a lot of different aspects, such as new high-quality textures, hundreds of new items, and entirely new features. The mod completely rebalances the game and is fully compatible with all of Fallout 3's DLCs, which is a great addition as well. The mod is a great option to refresh the game, but many of its tweaks also make Fallout 3 play a bit more like the classic Fallout games that some fans of the series have wanted to see it return to.
FWE Weapons Pack
FWE Weapons Pack combines a number of different weapon mods to completely refresh the game's pool of options in a way that ensures all of the mods will work well with one another. The mod adds a total of 30 new weapons and works very well with Wanderer Edition and adds a ton of variety to the weapons. Many of the guns feature multiple firing modes and different types of ammunition, and it all fits seamlessly into the game. This makes it both a great mod for starting a new playthrough, or one to throw into a current one while trying to hunt down some last hidden locations in Fallout 3.
Alton, IL
Alton, IL is a Fallout 3 mod that feels like an official DLC that could have been released by Bethesda itself. The mod includes an entirely new city for players to explore, complete with its own factions, questline, side quests, NPCs, and unique gear. The mod also includes voiced original dialogue that is available in multiple languages, and the entire package is even bigger than some of the official Fallout 3 DLC packs. With how Fallout 3 itself set industry standards for open-world games when it releases, it is very impressive that this mod manages to feel like an official piece of content for the game.
Real-Time Settler
One of the more contentious aspects of Fallout 4 was its introduction of base building mechanics. Many players found the system more annoying than gratifying, and many others were disappointed with its lack of features like being able to play as a raider. However, players who did enjoy it may want to check out the Real-Time Settler mod for Fallout 3. The mod includes a complete system to build a wide variety of structures and utilities and even allows nearly any of Fallout 3's NPCs to be recruited to one's village to take up residence there.
D.C. Interiors Project
The D.C. Interiors Project mod is a great download for any players who want to maintain the experience of the base game but are looking for some more areas to explore. The mod adds to the base game's map by adding explorable interiors to most of the game's boarded-up buildings. These interiors include their own environmental storytelling, loot, and enemies as well as a lot of unique assets, models, and textures. The interiors may not be the most breathtaking locations in Fallout 3, but they do add a lot of exploration to the game's urban environments and help make its world feel more alive than ever before.
Fallout 3 is available now on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox One.
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