In this article, let’s take a look at some of the best fan-made graphics mods that vastly improve the look and feel of five games. The games that I’ve included in this list are mostly older titles that really need visual improvements. However, I highly suggest playing the unmodded vanilla versions of these games first, before installing any mods.
Fallout 3
Fallout 3 is still a great game, story-wise and in regards to its brilliant setting. Obviously, for a game released in 2008, its graphics fail to keep up with newer titles. Let’s look at some mods that will vastly improve the game’s graphics.
Project Reality
Project Reality is a mod that adds a lot of different weather cycles to Fallout 3. This mod also adds new lighting that will remove the green tint of vanilla Fallout 3. You can download it here.
Blackout ENB
An ENB mod that goes surprisingly well with Project Reality is Blackout ENB, which was made for Fallout New Vegas but works very well with Fallout 3 too.
If this ENB preset doesn’t suit your tastes, check out other presets. There are lots of ENBs on NexusMods. Also, ReShade is a fairly decent alternative to ENB, so check it out if your PC can’t handle ENB well.
Download it here: https://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/48203/?tab=description
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one of the strongest entries in the Elder Scrolls franchise. But unfortunately, its visuals haven’t aged very well. You will want to check out these mods to improve the visuals in this game which is almost two decades old now.
Enhanced Vegetation
The mod’s title says it all: Enhanced Vegetation vastly improves the foliage of Oblivion to look much more lush and beautiful to the player. This is a game that focuses on the exploration of natural environments, so this mod is really essential.
Download it here: https://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/23783
Qarl’s Texture Pack III Redimized
The vanilla game’s textures look very blurry and low resolution and if you find that annoying, Qarl’s Texture Pack is just what you need. It’s basically a wonderful texture mod that retextures everything in the game. This mod will definitely make your playthrough all the more enjoyable.
Download it here: https://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/45666
Grand Theft Auto IV
For a game released in 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV looks remarkably good, even by today’s standards. There are very few games that can match its physics and atmosphere. It’s such a cinematic game, with its gritty and dark story and the urban setting of Liberty City.
Nonetheless, there’s plenty of room for improvement, so check out these mods!
Cinematic IVisuals
As the name implies, this mod aims to make the game more cinematic and atmospheric. There isn’t really much to say about the mod except that it looks very good. Plus, if you feel like this mod doesn’t suit your needs, there are a ton of alternative mods that improve lighting as this mod does.
Download it here: https://nexusmods.com/gta4/mods/82
Grand Theft Auto 4 4K2K Allagga Graphics Mod 1.0
This mod improves all textures of the game and it looks gorgeous. This mod combined with a lighting mod is more than enough to enjoy GTA IV to the fullest. You’re really missing out if you do not apply this mod to the game!
Download it here: https://www.nexusmods.com/gta4/mods/105
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is the most polished S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience, gameplay-wise. Graphically, it’s decent, but it could stand for some improvements. I recommend the AtmosFear and Absolute Nature mods to improve the visuals.
AtmosFear
The AtmosFear mod improves the lighting of the game significantly, immersing the player in a more atmospheric and beautiful Zone. This is one of the most popular mods for the game, and other mods like Misery are made using AtmosFear as well.
Absolute Nature
Absolute Nature is basically an optional part of AtmosFear and both of them are fully compatible. This mod adds a lot of natural vegetation to the game, including grass, bushes, and new trees.
Both AtmosFear and Absolute Nature are available here via ModDB.
Assassin’s Creed II
2009’s Assassin’s Creed II is the most beloved entry in the franchise. That is mostly because of its beautiful story and the setting in Italy. Assassin’s Creed games aren’t widely modded, so it’s kind of difficult to find many mods for it. However, you should check out Reshade Remaster 2020.
Assassin’s Creed 2 Reshade Remaster 2020
By looking at the above image – which is a side-by-side comparison of the AC2 Reshade mod and the vanilla game – I’m sure you get the idea of what this mod is all about. It’s a reshade preset that improves the lighting, post-processing, and visual fidelity of the game. The difference is dramatic!
Download it here: https://www.nexusmods.com/assassinscreedii/mods/6
