Fallout 2 Mod Roundup feature - Editor's Notes

Everyone that considers themselves a gamer has let at least a few classic games pass under their radar. Games that received such an outpouring of affection it would make you take note: Hey, I should play that game. So you toss the title onto your gamer to-do list, affectionately labeled the "pile of shame" in some circles. Piles that only the most ardent of consumer whores are able to efficiently manage. Most others just push forward and occasionally glance back at the critical darlings they missed along their way and sigh, maybe someday.

So that brings me to the Fallout series. It's one that I'm ashamed to say I've never experienced firsthand. With the newest installment coming down the pipe, I thought this would be the perfect chance to sink my teeth into the previous titles. I'm still getting into the swing of things in Fallout 1 (hmm, where's that water chip?) but I've noticed quite a few shiny mods for Fallout 2. Since my journeys outside of Vault 13 might take a while, I've decided to take the time to highlight some Fallout 2 mods now for any gamers looking to get a quick fix. The following, in no particular order, is a listing of the most worthwhile mods and downloads for Fallout 2:

MIB88 Megamod

This mod is actually a compilation of a ton of smaller ones, reworked for cross-compatibility. It includes everything from new locales to new weapons, armor and even enhanced graphics. Check out their profile for the complete list of additions and enhancements.

Fallout 2 Restoration Project

The Restoration Project functions as an expansion that builds on unfinished content left within the original game:

Killap wrote: The purpose of this project is to add back into Fallout 2 all the missing content (locations, NPCs, items, etc) that were pulled or left unfinished in the original game. This expansion attempts to stay true to what made Fallout great and thus the new content you find is not something I felt that would be cool to see, but rather a reality of what the original devs wanted. I admit that I had to make some judgment calls here and there, but 99% of what you will see is something originally thought up by the Fallout 2 devs.

Wasteland Merc Series [WM1, WM2, WM3]

This mostly completed trilogy (WM3 only has a demo listed) features a campaign separate from the original story. Screenshots also depict some heavy sci-fi weaponry.

Haris wrote: What the mod is about: In this mod you are not the chosen or vault dweller, but a simple mercenary warrior that goes around the wasteland looking for missions/jobs. All missions/jobs are redo-able and are intended to be done multiple times. In this sequel of Wasteland Merc we have taken MMORPG elements to the max in the fallout 2 setting. You are forced to balance your skill points between crafting skills (outdoorsman, repair, science, doctor), thieving skills (sneak, lockpick) and combat skills or you can't make it that far.

Shattered Destiny

Originally created as part of a trilogy of mods, Shattered Destiny adds a new main quest brimming with over 3500 lines of new dialogue.

Lexx2k wrote: The modification "Shattered Destiny" is the first of three chapters, that (I hope) will bring back the old Fallout 1 feelings. In this mod, the player isn't the vault dweller or a chosen one, the player is just a guy like you and me in a post apocalyptic world that has been tortured over the years...

Last but not least, no customized Fallout 2 experience would be complete without the following (listed in the downloads section for Fallout 2):

• Fallout 2 Resolution Patch v1.6
• Unofficial v1.05 Patch
• Very Difficult Mod
• Character Editor v2.1
• Inventory Editor v1.01