Fallout 3, like all of Bethesda’s games, is a mod paradise. If you’re looking for the best Fallout 3 mods, you’ve found them right here in our handy list. The game has so many systems to fiddle with, so much lore to expand on, and plenty of iffy-looking NPCs in need of a graphical face lift. Thanks to the modding community, Fallout 3 is a vastly different game now than it was at launch.
If you’re planning on revisiting the bombed-out remains of Washington DC before the Fallout 4 release date, then these are the mods we recommend packing for the trip.
This mod is not just an meshes replacer for two reasons: Most wepons that got ironsights adjustments did not use iron sights animations beforehand (with the forementioned compatibility patch). The weapon entry must be modified to do that, therefore an.esp file is needed even without the reticule restoration effect. Feb 19, 2011 Fallout 3 is somewhat similar, the weapon just doesn't come up all the way to represent true iron sight mode. Except that the bullet spread doesn't improve much (I think). I don't remember if right-click does much of anything at all. Anyone know what the effect is on combat in FO3 when you're right-clicking while shooting? Feb 23, 2017 I just bought Fallout 3 GOTY after beating fallout 4 and was incredibly disappointed that there is no to aim down the sights. This is a deal breaker to me. I know there are mods to fix this but I can tell seem to be able to get it to work. Is there a really simple way to install these iron sight mods or quick and simple guide? I seem to be struggling quite a bi with this. May 07, 2020 A quick note for non-FWE-players: I just uploaded a version of reticule restoration for base game weapons only (Railway Rifle and big guns). For me, RH ironsights has become something of an essential mod for fallout 3: If I come across a weapon without ironishgt animations, it becomes uninteresting for me even if it has superior stats (like the Gauss pistol for my sneak build).
Fallout 3 Mod Clinic part 2: RH Ironsights Mods covered in this video: 1. RHIronSights - FOSE: 2. Paradox Ignition. Jan 02, 2012 A mod i found on the fallout 3 nexus. If you want to download it for yourself, here's the link Note. Jul 09, 2015 Fallout 3 - Game of the Year Edition. All Discussions Screenshots Artwork Broadcasts Videos News Guides Reviews. I'm looking for a decent iron sights mod- I like the environment of FO3 a bit more than FNV, but if there's one thing I miss it's looking down the barrel of a gun instead of zooming in. I've seen a few on Nexus, but am curious.
How do I install Fallout 3 mods?
I think it was just a developers choice. Keep in mind that Fallout 3 was the first 3D game in the series, so they had a lot of new major design/gameplay issues to attend (after all, the transition from 2D to 3D can be intricate). Maybe iron sights was something superficial in their minds at. Nov 11, 2012 For use with Fallout Wanderers Edition - new version contains the Sten and 223 Pistol fixes.
Installing a single mod into Fallout 3 is easy. All you need to do is place the new files you’ve downloaded into the ‘Data’ folder of your Fallout 3 installation. If you have the Steam version, typically this will be:
C:Program FilesSteamsteamappsCommonFallout 3Data
Windows will alert you that you’re overwriting files, so press ‘OK’ to accept the changes. It’s best to make a backup of your Data folder before you start modding in case you need to return Fallout 3 to its original form.
You’re probably going to want lots of mods installed though, so it’s best to use the Fallout Mod Manager. This installs and uninstalls mods for you with a lot more ease than doing it manually. To set it up, first download and install the program. It’s then useful to create a folder on your hard drive called ‘Fallout 3 mods’ or something similar. Downloaded mods come in .zip files, so use something like WinRAR to extract the mod files into your new ‘Fallout 3 mods’ folder.
In Fallout Mod Manager, open the ‘Package Manager’ using the button to the right hand side of the window. The new window will have a button labelled ‘Add FOMod’. Click this, and then use the file browser to find your mod folder and select the mod you wish to install. The mod will now be displayed in the Package Manager window, with a tick box next to it. If the checkbox is ticked, the mod will be active in your game. Simply untick if you want to remove the mod.
Essential Fallout 3 Mods
Fallout 3 Mod Manager
Fallout 3 isn’t supported by the Steam Workshop, so you’ll have to mod it the traditional, slightly fiddly way. The whole process of adding mods to the game can be made a whole lot easier with the Fallout Mod Manager though, so it’s essential you grab it before applying anything.
Fallout Script Extender
Adding lots of mods to the game may require an extension of Fallout 3’s scripting capabilities. This tiny Fallout Script Extender mod will make sure the game’s script is sufficiently extended to allow hundreds of mods to work simultaneously.
Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch
Fallout 3 is a Bethesda game, so it’s no surprise that it’s a bit on the buggy side. The Unofficial Fallout 3 patch is an ongoing effort to eliminate every glitch and bug in the game, and so far has done a wonderful job. Essential if you want a smooth experience.
Better Game Performance
A ‘does what it says on the tin’ mod, Better Game Performance removes unused items that you’ll never notice are missing in order to boost the overall performance of the game.
FO3 Wanderers Edition
Wanderers Edition is a massive overhaul mod for Fallout 3, altering core game mechanics to create a better sense of immersion and a higher degree of challenge. The FPS elements of the game are tweaked and beaten into shape so it plays as a shooter much more effectively. The role-playing mechanics are refined to enhance choice and consequence and depth of character.
Fallout 3 Re-Animated
There’s no denying that Fallout 3’s character animation is definitely on the naff side. Stiff, ugly, and sort of Action Man-like, it effectively shatters the illusion that you are interacting with people. This Fallout 3 Re-Animated mod helps rectify that by replacing gameplay-related animations.
Fellout
Fallout 3 is obsessed with the colour green, so much so everything is seen through a hazy green filter. It is, at least for many players, god damn ugly. Fellout gets rid of the green and allows a more natural colour pallette to shine through, evoking the style of the original Fallout games.
Graphical Fallout 3 Mods
Energy Visuals Enhanced
Fallout’s energy weapons don’t so much as crackle but fizzle out. In short: they’re no where near as cool as they should be. Energy Visuals Enhanced changes that, adding loads of cool graphical effects to muzzle flash, projectiles, and impacts. Plasma rifles are finally as brilliant to use as they sound.
Flora Overhaul
Fallout’s world is, by design, entirely barren. Not a shrub or grass patch in sight. Flora Overhaul changes this, and is available in a variety of different settings. Forested Edition adds wonderful trees, plants, flowers, and grasses to the game for a much more overgrown DC wasteland, whilst Dead Edition and Total Devastation lean closer towards Bethesda’s original vision.
Fallout 3 Redesigned
Formally known as Project Beauty HD, Fallout 3 Redesigned transforms Fallout’s NPCs into far more natural looking models. The whole facial model is adjusted to look less potato-like, with better skin tones than the grubby originals. It’s a bit fiddly to install, so follow the instructions carefully, but it’s worth the hassle.
Enhanced Camera
Fallout 3’s first person view is typical of many games in that it’s just a floating set of eyes. The Enhanced Camera mod adds a physical body to the game for you to inhabit, meaning you can finally see what your legs look like without resorting to the truly horrific third-person view. Also any acts that automatically swap to third-person (such as standing or sitting) will now be performed in immersion-sustaining first-person.
Blackout ENB
IZotope – Dialogue Match AAX Latest Free DownloadOf Course, If you want to run this app, you need to install the Windows 7/8/8.1/10And work with the windows 64 Bit (x64).Yes, It is an Offline Installer / Full Standalone Setup.We share this file with the name of iZotopeDialogueMatchv1.0.0CE.exe which you can download via the direct link below.In order to install iZotope – Dialogue Match AAX 100 MB of free space required.So, To run this app 1 GB of RAM required. Mutetone is now 64 bit aax for mac free.
ENB’s are well known for bringing games closer to photorealism, and Blackout ENB does a fine job with Fallout 3. High quality SSAO, Depth of field, Bloom, and anamorphic lens effects are added, with enhanced in-game shadows, color correction and eye adaptation. It’s also compatible with night vision and thermal vision so night time raids will still be easily accomplished.
ENB First Person Transparency
If you’re going to use the ENB mod, you’ll also need this ENB First Person Transparency fix to prevent your hands and arms going all transparent like jelly.
NMC Texture Pack
Texture packs go a long way to helping older games feel more modern than they are, and the NMC Texture Pack is a vital tool to keeping Fallout fresh. It replaces almost all environmental textures with HD variants; be that the ground and walls, building interiors, furniture, vehicles, and even litter.
Enhanced Weather
Fallout doesn’t really have weather, it’s just kind of drab and cloudy all day. Enhanced Weather adds rain, snow, and thunderstorms to the wasteland’s climate. You can even gain a sneak bonus during storms, using the howl of the wind to cover your steps.
Project Reality
Project Reality does a great deal with lighting – both sun and moon – to add a more realistic atmosphere to the game. Features like heat haze and eye adapting help the immersion, and a variety of retooled sound effects add some authenticity to Fallout’s audio. Like Enhanced Weather, things like thunderstorms and radioactive rain are also part of Project Reality.
Enhanced Blood Textures
Thanks to explosive rounds and the slow-motion VATs system, you’re going to be seeing a lot of blood during your time in Fallout 3. Don’t settle for low-res spoonfuls of jam; get some high quality blood spatter with this Enhanced Blood Textures mod.
Fallout Street Lights
Add a little atmosphere to your nighttime wasteland strolls with this Fallout Street Lights mod, adding light beams to all the streetlamps and signs in the game. Some even flicker on and off for that authentic broken technology feel.
Hi-Res Weapons
Give a nice, high-resolution coat of paint to many of Fallout 3’s weapons with this Hi-Res Weapons mod. Since they’re in your hands and close-up for most of the game, this really helps keep the game looking pretty.
Pip-Boy HD Retexture
Another thing you’ll be spending a lot of time looking at in Fallout 3 is your wrist-mounted Pip-Boy, so why not make it easier on the eyes and double its resolution from the one Bethesda provides with this Pip-Boy HD Retexture.
MTUI interface mod
Fallout 3 isn’t very good at making the most of screen real estate, so the MTUI mod tweaks the User Interface to display a lot more information at any one time. The days of scrolling through dialogue options or Pip-Boy pages is over.
Gameplay Fallout 3 Mods
Underground Hideout
If you want a little place to call your own in DC, then grab this Underground Hideout mod. Located at the southeast end of the Wasteland near Rivet City, the vault includes everything a wasteland survivor could need, including a stocked armory, display areas, item sorters, and special weapons.
Mothership Zeta Crew
You’ll need the Mothership Zeta DLC for this mod to work. When you finish the DLC, you’ll find yourself in command of a starship, but with very little in the form of a crew. With this Mothership Zeta crew mod installed, a button on the starship can be pressed to engage a new quest line that will see you recruit a new crew that will become a faction worthy to go up against the Enclave or Brotherhood of Steel.
Mart’s Mutant Mod
A mod all about adding diversity, Mart’s Mutant Mod adds more variety when it comes to creatures and NPCs, as well as adding whole new enemies and friendlies to meet during your travels. It makes every NPC unique in stats, size, and skin textures. There’s also a lot of AI sharpening going on behind the scenes, ensuring variety is not only in the visuals but also the way enemies behave.
Real Time Settler
One of the big things coming to Fallout 4 is the ability to build settlements and start trade routes between them. If you want that kind of feature right now, Real Time Settler adds something similar to Fallout 3. You can build your own village, decorate it how you wish, and then start manufacturing weapons and armour to sell on the black market.
Weapon Mod Kits
Weapons are not just single answers to all problems. Sometimes they need adjusting to work for the job. If you could do with a silencer adding to that pistol. a scope on that rifle, or an extended magazine in that machinegun, you need the Weapon Mod Kits mod. Simply take it to a workbench and start upgrading.
Existence 2.0 Robot Radio
Not everyone is going to be at home listening to a bit of swing or jazz music on their Pip-Boy, so it was only a matter of time before a modder opened up a new broadcast channel. Existence 2.0 is DJ’d by a robot, who sends out ‘experimental ambient terror’ music over the waves. Whatsmore, the mod actually puts a physical recording studio for the station in the world, which you can visit to learn more about the robotic DJ.
Alternate Fast Travel
Some players despite fast travel systems, so this Alternate Fast Travel mod retools Fallout 3’s travel system to be more akin to the logical method as used in Morrowind. Now you can only fast-travel from certain places, with paths that only lead to specific destinations. For example, you could catch a boat from Big Town to Rivet City, which has a couple of stops on the way you could hop off at.
Arefu Expanded
How To Mod Fallout 3
The Arefu Expanded mod takes the simple shack-like settlement of Arefu and turns it into a thriving wasteland village. 16 lore-friendly characters are added, who can help you out with new quests, as well as a new player home for you to bunk in.
DCnteriors Project
Like so many open-world games, Fallout 3 is filled with uncountable locked doors you’ll never see behind (because they’re just set dressing, not real doors). The DCnteriors Project mod changes all that, adding hundreds of new areas to explore behind doors that were previously just scenery. From shops to abandoned houses, plenty more looting opportunities await you.
Simple Realism
Whilst many mods overhaul many of Fallout’s features and mechanics for a tougher experience, Simple Realism is all about keeping as close to Bethesda’s style as possible, whilst also keeping your life expectancy in the realms of reality. Simple Realism reduces ammo supplies, makes weapons deadlier, reduces the amount you can carry, and makes you much more susceptible to radiation.
Sydney Follower
Sydney is an NPC that can help you out during the Stealing Independence quest. She disappears after, but if you’d rather she stuck around forever, then this Sydney Follower mod allows you to recruit her as a follower. The mod includes 400 lines of additional dialogue for Sydney, all voiced by the original voice actress, so it’s an authentic experience.
Alton, IL
Fallout 3 is set in Washington DC, and lets you explore a very sizable city with all it’s tourist attractions and underground metro system. If that’s not enough for you, then the Alton, IL mod adds the city of Alton, Illinois to the game. Essentially an expansion pack, it contains a branching main quest with two rivalling factions, loads of lore, and full voice acting. The world is about twice the size of the Point Lookout DLC, so there’s plenty to explore.
Iron Sights Mod Fallout 3 5
FOOK 2
Fallout 3 Iron Sights Mod Not Working
FOOK 2, like Wanderers Edition, is a full overhaul of Fallout 3 to offer a slightly different experience. It adds a huge collection of new weapons, armours, and items, rebalances the damage system, and retextures many items with HD skins. There’s also some bug fixes in there too. For the full experience, you’ll want to combine FOOK 2 with Wanderers Edition, but to make the two work together you’ll need this patch.
Galaxy News Radio Enhanced
Galaxy News Radio has a great set of tunes, but the playlist is a bit on the limited side. This Galaxy News Radio Enhanced mod adds 100 new songs to the station, as well as adding new sections to news broadcasts, and allowing DJ Three Dog to talk to you after you hit level 20.
Iron Sights Mod Fallout 3 With 360 Revolution
Sprint mod
Iron Sights Mod Fallout 3 Steam
The wasteland is a pretty big world, and you’ve got places to be. Make that trip quicker by modding your character so they can sprint. As long as you have AP, you can run faster than you ever have before.
Iron Sights
Fallout 3 isn’t all that great at the shooting side of things. You can improve the guns experience with a few mods though, and this Iron Sights mod will allow you to use the sights on weapons for a feel closer to regular FPS games.
Ultimate Perk Pack
As you progress through the levels of Fallout, you can pick up new perks to make your character more powerful and useful. The Ultimate Perk Pack mods the game to have a massive collection of new perks that add interesting new qualities to your character.
Vault 101 Revisited
A short questline that sees you returning to the Vault where you used to live. Vault 101 Revisited explores the possibility of the people of 101 opening the door and rejoining the outside over the course of four new quests.
If all this Fallout 3 modding has got you in the mood for a more modern visit to the nuclear apocalypse, you’ll certainly be looking forward to Fallout 4. Check out everything we know about Fallout 4 here, from the story to all the new gameplay features.
Fallout 3 is an amazing game. But it’s getting older by the day and new graphics are always something we can appreciate.
To keep this classic title alive I’ve compiled a list of all of the best graphic mods that you can install in your FO 3 game directory. They aren’t perfect, but they will make the title much better and more visually entertaining if you’re still playing the game in the 2020s.
Most of these graphic mods should not lag your computer too much. But I would still advise you to install them only if you have over 8GB of RAM available, as well as a decent graphics card.
Iron Sights Mod Fallout 3 Mods
15. Dongcopter Fallout 3 Intro
Alright, this is probably one of the least serious mods I’ve ever reviewed. But it’s just too good to let it pass.
This changes the traditional “War never changes” Fallout 3 introduction for something a little less serious.
Basically, you’ll be able to stare at a dancing pirate instead.
What’s not to love about that, may I ask?
14. Goodbye Blue Sky
The end of the world might be nigh in the Wastelands.
But why is the sky so damn beautiful? Even if years have passed since the Great War, it’s still pointless to have the sky look so perfectly clean after the Earth basically ended.
I mean, I’m no scientist and I’m pretty sure I’m talking out of my behind right here. But even for the purposes of immersion, a darker sky would do wonders for Fallout 3.
Get yourself immersed in a world that is truly ruined and void of light, simply by installing this free mod.
13. Smooth FOV Adjustment
Tired of jumping between screens to modify your FOV in the game?
Then check out this amazing add-on.
You’ll have the chance to do it by simply pressing a couple of hotkeys, which means you’ll get to see the changes in real-time.
An absolutely fantastic, even if simple, addition to your gameplay.
12. Clean Vault Textures
Tired of looking a seemingly-smelly and moldy vaults? Then give this mod a quick install and breathe a sigh of relief.
It’s very simple, but it replaces the way vaults look and makes them seem in pristine condition.
The world might be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have clean interiors.
The outside world might be chaotic and basically on fire every day. But not the vaults, dammit!
11. HDR Stuff
This amazing mod changes the way lighting works in the game.
Basically, it makes inside lighting feel much more different than outside lighting. Which gives you a better feeling of immersion when entering or exiting buildings.
Small stuff really can make a difference.
10. FPS Counter and Post-Processing Effects
This graphics mod is basically an overall system tweak that enhances graphics by adding antialiasing, color correction, and an FPS counter.
It mostly modernizes your Fallout 3 game and makes it look like a modern version of itself.
It’s not a simple mod and it does require you to have a powerful computer to make it work properly. If you’re gaming on the regular then your PC is probably there already, but you know.
I’ve also ranked other mods on this list that enhance graphics without the risk of your computer’s performance taking a hit, so check out my other choices a bit further down for some similar features.
9. ENB or Reshade with SweetFX
This fantastic mod changes the look of the game by tweaking certain shades as well as by enhancing the colors and the environmental fog.
This mod is super cool and also works on New Vegas (the best Fallout game ever made, thank you very much).
If you want to enhance the graphics of the game and you have a powerful GPU to support such an enhancement, then I would recommend you check out this mod.
If you don’t, then go ahead and install the next mod on my list, as the preset is far friendlier with low-spec computers.
8. Cyberdyne Preset ENB
This fantastic ENB preset makes FO3 take a completely different look.
The mod is fully adjustable and allows you to tweak the days look, making them feel much more realistic.
You will also have the chance to have the nights be less bright than they are in the game (which makes them feel a bit fake at times).
Do keep in mind that this is a mere modification of the Fellout mod, which means you will need to download it first to make this work.
It can be found on the Nexus, so don’t worry too much about it.
7. DoF Motion Blur and Other Effects
Fallout 3 is a pretty old game(stating the obvious).
So it’s to be expected for it to have poor motion blur features as well as a rather mediocre level of depth of field.
This mod, however, changes that completely.
It makes the game show you the motion blur when you move your screen and it also allows the depth of field to play a bigger part in the game.
You will notice the differences when moving around as well as when you pop up your Pip Boy.
6. FO3 Natural Lighting
This amazing mod improves the overall lighting of the game without putting too much load on your computer.
You’ll be able to play the game with a much more enhanced look without having to suffer the consequences of a strong drop in FPS.
This also tweaks indoor lighting as well as outdoor lighting to make both look far more like they would look in reality. Which makes the entire game much better to play in general.
As I’ve said, this doesn’t mess with shaders or puts a heavier load on your computer. So you should be able to run this with ease regardless of your PC.
5. Ultimate Resolution Landscape LODs and Generator Tes4ll
Now this bad boy will make you rethink your life and make you wonder how you’ve spent so many years in FO3 without this.
It basically improves the way the game deals with long distances. With this installed it’ll be able to render everything in a much better way across entire areas.
The fog will look far better, and all of the elements of the game are meant to look more realistic for immersion.
For sure install this mod and stand on top of the tallest mountain you can find. You will notice an extreme difference in your visuals, and it’s going to be 100% worth it.
4. Rooses Performance Mod
Fallout 3 Aim Down Sights
“It increases performance lol” is the effect that this mod has, according to its creator.
To expand on such a brilliant explanation, Rooses Performance Mod basically makes the FPS reach up to 75.
And it improves the gameplay by limiting the lag spikes and making the overall performance much better.
This doesn’t mess with your graphics per se. But it does change how some things are rendered to make them more compatible with lower-end PCs.
Some unnecessary items have been removed from the game world, such as small rocks, some barrels, and the trails left behind by certain enemies. But not much to miss.
3. Gore Guts
Well this mod might not make things more realistic.
But it sure as hell makes your game much gorier.
Not sure if that’s good or bad so I’ll let you decide.
But with Gore Guts it’s time for you to watch as your enemies explode into clusters of blood and organs as you slay them with pleasure.
For the sadistic ones out there, there’s hardly a better mod.
The only thing it does is add far more grit into FO3, which is sure to please some of you.
2. Realistic HDR Lighting
If you want a mod that improves your game’s visuals without having to alter it too much or mess with the performance of your computer, then this is one you’ll want to try out.
It basically modifies certain presets to make everything look far more natural without messing with any shaders.
You will notice how certain camera taints are gone after installing this mod, and fog will look much more realistic as well.
How To Mod Fallout 3
The mod changes basic settings in the game’s config, but it does a brilliant job at altering the visuals without diminishing FPS. A very nice middle ground for almost anyone.
1. Cleaner Settlements and Immersive Interiors
Technically, this isn’t a graphics mod.
However I’m adding it to my list(at #1 no less!) because it does improve the visuals of the game quite a bit.
And it’ll make everything look even better if you already have another graphics mod installed.
The main point of this mod is to improve immersion, and I think it’s safe to say that it does its job brilliantly.
The creator took time off his [probably] busy schedule to clean up the entire Wasteland and make things tidier for us players. And when you activate this bad boy it’s noticeable.
The world might be coming to an end, but things can still look nice right?