The first time I launched Fallout 3, the game crashed to the desktop.
I spent about an hour looking for solutions to fix it and when I was just about to give up, I came across a solution and I was finally able to play the game.
Then, I began to notice how outdated most aspects of this game really are.
I’m not talking about the textures or the graphics of the game. The game is just very difficult to play without mods.
For example, the game was stuttering when moving the mouse cursor. And the wait times for the Sleep/Wait timer was painfully slow. The only way to fix these issues and have a playable experience of Fallout 3 is to install a few mods.
This is a list of the most essential Fallout 3 mods that you’ll need to have a pleasant and issue-free experience in the game.
These are the mods I used in my first playthrough and they worked perfectly to help me enjoy the game in its original form, or at least as close to it as possible.
How To Install Fallout 3 Mods
If you’re new to modding games, you should first learn how to install mods. Nexus Mods is the website you go to for downloading mods. It has thousands of mods for games like Fallout 3, 4, Skyrim, Witcher 3, and more.
Here’s how it works.
- Create a free account on Nexus Mods
- Download and Install Vortex, this is a mod manager that allows you to install, update, and manage your mods
- When downloading mods, check the requirements on the description page
- Choose the Vortex option when downloading mods. It will automatically open Vortex and install the mod into the game directly
- You can download mods for free. Premium Subscription is optional.
Follow this video tutorial for a more detailed guide.
1. Fallout Script Extender (FOSE)
Before installing any other mod, you need to install this mod.
As the name suggests, the Fallout Script Extender is a mod that expands the scripting capabilities of Fallout 3.
This Mod enables the game to support more advanced and new features that the game did not support at the time of its launch.
So, it’s a must-have mod and almost every other Fallout 3 requires this mod to function. After installing the mod, make sure it’s at the top of the mod order list as well.
2. Fallout Anniversary Patcher
The latest version of Fallout 3 does not support mods. Bethesda updated the game a while back making the game incompatible with basically every other mod.
Thankfully, modders came to the rescue by creating another mod to downgrade the game to an older version that supports all the mods.
You will have to install this mod manually. I tried installing the mod using Vortex and it did not work.
Instead, download the files manually and copy them over to your game installation folder.
3. Updated Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch
This is an essential Fallout 3 Mod that fixes dozens of issues in the game engine. It fixes lots of issues with quests, NPCs, interactable objects, and much much more.
Simply put, it fixes everything that Bethesda didn’t bother to fix.
This mod will ensure you have a smooth experience in the game without running into any issues.
4. F3TF – Fallout 3 Tick Fix
As I mentioned in the introduction, I experienced a terrible stuttering in Fallout 3 when I first started playing. Apparently, I wasn’t alone.
This mod fixes that terrible stuttering and screen tearing issue in the game. It’s a simple mod but does wonders to help me stay sane while playing.
5. lStewieAl’s Tweaks
This mod also includes a huge collection of quality-of-life improvements to Fallout 3. It simply makes the game much smoother and playable.
Some of its fixes include the ability to deselect quests, scroll wheel support for some of the menus, increased sleep/wait times, and more.
6. Command Extender
This is another simple yet essential mod that fixes a few game engine bugs and adds some additional functions.
This mod is also required for most other mods to function properly.
7. Fallout 3 Realistic Wasteland Lighting
This mod is not really an essential mod but in my experience with the game, it was essential.
Fallout 3 has a weird yellow hue all across the game. It’s probably part of the game’s aesthetics. But my eyes started hurting after playing the game for longer periods because of that color.
This mod fixes that by changing the color palette of the game. It basically makes the game look a bit more realistic and more appropriate for the modern days.
In Conclusion
My main goal was to experience Fallout 3 as close to its original form as possible. Due to its age, playing the original game as it is can be a painful experience.
However, with the help of these mods, I was able to enjoy Fallout 3 and have a really great experience in my first playthrough. I hope the guide will help you with the same.