Fallout: New Vegas is a classic RPG from 2010 that still sees a fair number of players to this day. While the game has a cult fan following and has inspired many Western RPGs since its release, a big factor in its longevity is the passionate modding community. The modders have not only fixed the game (remember the broken mess of a state it was launched at?) but have also created large DLC-sized mods that keep players coming back.
We will assume you have all the essential Fallout: New Vegas mods installed that ensure a mostly bug-free and stable New Vegas experience. With that out of the way, here you will find an assortment of large content mods that will make you dive right back into the classic RPG with new characters to meet, new weapons to wield, and new quests to embark on.
Fallout – New California
Mod created by Radian-Helix Media (Nexusmods)
Think of it like a good old expansion, in fact, one that does a beautiful job of setting up the plot of the game. Yes, New California puts you into the shoes of a vault dweller from Vault 18, and the whole new world of the Californian wasteland is your oyster.
The massive mod offers a wonderful cast of characters brought to life by voice acting and new locations, with Union City being one of the most densely populated hubs in the Fallout series (yes, even by Diamond City standards). Not to forget it has a meaningful main quest with branching storylines and thoughtful roleplaying opportunities.
Fallout – The Frontier
Mod created by The Frontier team (Nexusmods)
The Frontier is one of the largest collaborative modding projects that got a release. While the mod is far from the best in terms of writing, character building, and whatnot, its saving grace is exploration. The post-apocalyptic recreation of Portland, Oregon is simply an incredible world to explore. Moreover, you get to drive around in vehicles around the world in this mod. How cool is that?
New Vegas Bounties Series
Mods created by Someguy2000 (Nexusmods)
If you are perturbed that it would be another set of quests of “go here, kill X person”, you’d be gravely mistaken. The New Vegas Bounties trilogy tasks you with hunting rogue rangers, fiends, raiders, drug smugglers, and cannibals, to name a few. The bosses will absolutely test your character’s mettle. Besides, you’ll find engaging conversations with some of the characters along with interesting choices that involve utilizing your skills and perks when dealing with adversaries.
The North Road Remastered
Mod created by th3overseer (Nexusmods)
This large mod also features a bounty-hunting motif. However, this will take you to a large new worldspace, which many players think is a wonderful recreation of post-apocalyptic Utah. It starts at Ranger Station Bravo where an NCR officer recruits you and assigns you a mission on the North Road, the focus being the deranged son of an esteemed NCR senator.
The main quest, whilst being interesting, is a chunky one and you’ll get to spend a dozen or so hours in it. Additionally, The North Road Remastered carries forward some choices you made in the author’s previous mods, namely Eliza and Headhunting. If you are going for a completionist playthrough of the author’s series, Depths of Depravity is the one following the North Road Remastered.
Autumn Leaves
Mod created by BaronVonChateau (Nexusmods)
If you are tired of all the violence and fancy a dialog-focused mystery quest mod, look no further. Autumn Leaves is a fantastic mod for Fallout: New Vegas that builds upon the philosophical premise of the many quests of the base game. Taking place in the centuries-old library of Hypatia, the mod will treat you with exceptional voice acting accompanied by a diverse cast of intricately crafted characters in addition to an enthralling mystery that unravels to a satisfying conclusion.
The Inheritance
Mod created by Someguy2000 (Nexusmods)
This is yet another mod from the author of the New Vegas Bounties series. The Inheritance packs a short standalone story. While this mod features the trademark ultra-violence and profanity found in the mod author’s previous works, you will find much more roleplaying to be had as some quests are more dependent on finesse instead of aggression. Moreover, it is cited as one of the most creative quest mods for Fallout: New Vegas for things that occur around you after you think the mod’s questline is over.
Depths of Depravity
Mod created by th3overseer (Nexusmods)
Depths of Depravity comes from the author of The North Road Remastered and is chronologically set after the events of the latter. This mod will have you delve into a masterfully intertwined web of multiple quests that overlap and intersect. Furthermore, you’ll encounter a captivating companion who brings her own intriguing side quests to the table. However, keep in mind that the mod is tonally quite dark, and according to the author, it will have you “journey into the writhing, blood-spattered depths of conspiracy, intrigue, assassination, and degradation.”
Salt Lake Stories
Mod created by Yossarian22 and Radioactivman (Nexusmods)
With no main questline to follow, Salt Lake Stories act as a free roam adventure into a new region. If you are into the earlier Fallout titles, this mod would be right up your alley.
Salt Lake Stories takes many of its inspirations from both Fallout 1 and 2 as well as the design documents of the canceled Fallout 3 Van Buren. This mod is filled to the brim with fresh content in the form of characters, locations, and short quests. You can get to it quite early in your playthrough which will provide you with an escapade far from the Mojave.
Tale of Two Wastelands
Mod created by the TTW team (Tale of Two Wastelands forum)
Tale of Two Wastelands is a wholly unique total conversion project that will let you play both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas (along with all their DLCs) with the same character in a single playthrough. You can even travel between the two worlds by train, any time at your will.
The mod achieves this by making the Fallout 3 content run inside the New Vegas engine. This means having New Vegas mechanics like weapon mods, crafting, companion wheel, etc. all transplanted into DC. It, admittedly, leaves a bit of a sour taste in your mouth regarding gameplay balance (especially if you play the entirety of Fallout 3 first before heading into Mojave). However, having the Lone Wanderer seamlessly become the Courier is well worth the sacrifice.
