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). 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.

Nov 11, 2012 RHIronSights is a comprehensive model, texture, and animation replacement package meant to 'unlock' iron sights aiming in Fallout 3. Being able to look directly down the sights of a gun in-game is very immersive. Unfortunately, though Bethesda put the framework for an iron sights system in place, it wasn't included in the final game. Note that, at least with RogueHallow's Iron Sights mod, the vanilla weapon models are replaced with slightly modified ones that work well when aiming. The GECK wiki has articles on many of Fallout 3 engine's various calculations, including how weapon accuracy is determined. To be honest, I don't know exactly how the engine determines whether. In any case, any gun mod that you see that is noted as being aligned for Iron sights (and there are quite a few online) will be compatible with RH's mod. In fact, even without it if the gun's.nif is properly aligned, and the 'Don't use 1st Person IS animations' is unchecked in the GECK, you can look down the sights (though you won't get RH's.

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.

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

“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.

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?

Fallout 3 was the 2008 reboot of the beloved late-90’s PC role-playing series, Fallout. Now a classic RPG beloved by millions of fans worldwide. The Fallout series went on to spawn two more games, Obsidian’s Fallout: New Vegas and the massively-popular sequel, Fallout 4.

It’s still a great game even 10 years later. With all the DLC content available at such a cheap price, you can enjoy the DC wasteland in all its glory. The huge array of mods available only make it better and more appealing than ever. There’s never been a better time to experience Fallout 3, whether for the first or 101st time.

Also Check out: 15 Best Fallout 4 Mods for PS4, PC, Xbox One and 16 Best Fallout: New Vegas Mods For PC

Here are the Best Fallout 3 Mods

Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch

The base Fallout 3 game is known for having a lot of bugs and glitches that have never officially been addressed by its developer, Bethesda. Luckily, the modding community has done a lot of work in creating the Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch.This definitive package includes a wide range of fixes, updates, and changes including disappearing NPCs, armor textures and dialogue bugs. It all comes in one simple and handy plugin, too. Highly recommended for an improved Fallout 3 experience all-round.

Download Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch.

Fellout

Although Fallout 3 is considered to be a Bethesda classic, it is safe to say its graphics have not aged well. Fellout is a graphical overhaul mod that removes the awful green tinge you’ll find everywhere in vanilla Fallout 3. This mod does this adjustment for both indoors and outdoor environments. Fellout also gives a more harsh feel to the world of Fallout by neutralizing indoor lighting, removing the green fog and changing the look of water. Overall, Fellout is a lighting and weather overhaul that’s highly recommended if you’re looking for a more realistic-looking wasteland.

Download Fellout.

NMC’s Texture Pack

The only texture overhaul pack you’ll need to make your DC wasteland look as sharp as possible. The base game is pretty ugly at this point, let’s be honest. This essential fallout 3 mod, although it won’t make it look as good as Fallout 4, helps to alleviate this problem a considerable amount by replacing terrain, trees, interiors/exteriors, and most vehicles and furniture with high resolution real-life based photographic equivalents. It also changes roads, litter and paper scraps, and other medium-large sized objects such as toolboxes and chairs. This covers most of the in-game visuals and makes it all look much better.

Download NMC’s Texture Pack.

Games For Windows Live Disabler

Anyone who has played Fallout 3 on PC will know how annoying and obnoxious the Games For Windows Live feature can be. A weird and antiquated remnant of PC gaming’s past-life, GFWL probably doesn’t even work. This simple and easy mod removes it completely. What exactly does this mod do? It allows you to stop the Games for Windows Live from running in Fallout 3 and prevent its .dll files from loading. This will drastically help reduce the time that it takes for Fallout 3 to startup. It also removes the “Live” button from the main menu, and unbinds the “Home” key, allowing you to rebind the key to another useful action instead. A very nice QoL mod.

Download Games For Windows Live Disabler.

Fallout 3 Redesigned – Formerly Project Beauty HD

The faces of Fallout 3 are pretty bad, especially in 2019. They all look muddy and bland. This comprehensive graphical mod makes the faces look better, sharper, and less bad. Specifically, this mod re-designs the facial structure of NPCs in Fallout 3 to make them more realistic and to better reflect their personality. In vanilla Fallout 3 there are a lot of awkward skin tones and facial structures included, and this mod completely removes those in favor of the updated ones.

Download Fallout 3 Redesigned – Formerly Project Beauty HD.

Iron Sights Mod

Fallout 3’s minute-to-minute action was never a reason to play it, and it’s only gotten worse with age. Fallout: New Vegas added the ability to aim down sights on all guns, which helps to make the action feel a bit tighter and more responsive. Even if you’re not a fan of FPS games, you can’t deny the convenience of this iron sights mod. What this mod does is it adds centered iron sight animations to most of the vanilla guns in the game for Fallout 3. This mod was supported for a long time by its creator, and many updates were made to improve it over the years. While it is no longer a work in progress, it has certainly improved the user experience for many Fallout players.

Download Iron Sights Mod.

Fallout 3 Wanderer Edition

This massive gameplay overhaul changes Fallout 3 in some major ways. It brings in over 50 different mods to completely change the Fallout 3 experience. This mod, which we only recommend to people looking to completely overhaul the game, includes a variety of changes, ranging from FPS enhancements, alternative character start options, options to slow the leveling curve, and more. This is one of the most comprehensive mods that Fallout 3 has to offer, and installing this will vastly improve the challenge, immersion, and depth of gameplay while emphasizing balance, choices, role-playing and fun. It is a lot to handle, but if you are ready to take the plunge into a totally reworked version of the game, download this mod today!

Download Fallout 3 Wanderer Edition.

Stutter Remover

Fallout 3’s engine was never the most optimized. Bethesda’s open world RPGs are known for their abundance of technical issues. There are a number of mods to fix some of these issues, but one that you might want if you’re getting performance hitches and FPS stutters is this mod. This plugin makes Fallout 3 not stutter as much, and will make gameplay feel smoother and perform better. It will prevent or reduce the impact of issues relating to stuttering and frame rate and will reduce the amount of crashes you may receive as a result of those stutters. Recommended for a smoother Fallout 3 experience.

Download Stutter Remover.

EVE – Energy Visuals Enhanced

This mod aims to overhaul the effects of energy and plasma weapons, making them much more deadly-looking and much more flashy. It makes energy weapons more appealing and much more deadly. One of the coolest features of this mod is that it has thirty-two new critical kill deaths! It also has new weapons included, new muzzle flashes, projectiles and more. This is a fantastic mod for energy gun lovers, and if you did not use those types of weapons before, you will now thanks to this mod.

Download EVE – Energy Visuals Enhanced.

Ultimate Perk Pack

There are a nice variety of perks available to you as you progress in vanilla Fallout 3, but if you’ve played it a few times before, you’ll probably find you’ve explored them all and already have your go-to favorites. This mod adds a number of cool new mods to expand your options when you level up. There are over 70 mods included in this high quality pack, and they are all innovative, humorous and fun to use! They also come with their own special icons. With this pack there will be endless combinations for you to go through and experiment with, and it will prove hours of content just by installing this mod. Give it a try today!

Download Ultimate Perk Pack.

Enhanced Camera

If you like to play Fallout in first-person (I know I do), you’ll be well aware how limited the first-person interactions can be. This mod aims to improve the first-person camera, letting you see your feet when you look down (!!), and allowing various scenes that would normally put you into third-person to be viewed in first-person.

Download Enhanced Camera.

Iron Sights Mod Fallout 3 Windows 10

Mart’s Mutant Mod

If you play Fallout 3 for a while, or if you’ve already played it before, you’ll start to run into the same wasteland monsters over and over again. It can start to get a little tedious. This mod adds a wide variety of new monsters and creatures to the world of Fallout 3.

Download Mart’s Mutant Mod.

Weapon Mod Kits

One of the coolest things Fallout: New Vegas introduced was weapon mods. The ability to tweak and improve your weapons with various attachments and improvements helped make the combat more engaging and more varied. This mod adds a similar system into Fallout 3, letting you customize your weapons with silencers, scopes, and more.

Download Weapon Mod Kits.

FOOK (Fallout 3 Overhaul Kit)

Iron Sights Mod Fallout 3 Console Commands

This massive overhaul mod adds a large number of new items, high-quality re-textures, and many other gameplay changes. Great if you’re looking for a huge overhaul to completely change the Fallout 3 experience.

Download FOOK (Fallout 3 Overhaul Kit).

Enhanced Blood Textures

Iron Sights Mod Fallout 3 Nuka

A simple mod that improves the blood texture to make it sharper, clearer, and less muddy. You’ll be spilling a lot of blood in this game, why not make it look good?

Download Enhanced Blood Textures.

Iron Sights Mod Fallout 3 Weapons

These are 15 must have fallout 3 mods available for Fallout 3 on PC. There are plenty more out there, but these are just some of the best to get you started.

Let us know if you think we missed anything!