Modding Fallout New Vegas

[Mr McC]

I finally picked up New Vegas in the recent Steam sale. The graphics and the fact that the gameplay differs little from Fallout 3 originally put me off. However, the modding community has remedied much of Bethesba/Obsidian's shortfalls and if anyone else continues to have misgivings about the console-level graphics, I would urge them to buy the game once it's on offer again and install the following mods:

Nevada Skies version 6 (blue skies without the yellow tinge, sandstorms and various other weather effects - install the optional download that allows you to manually alter the darkness at night)
http://newvegas.nexusmods.com/mods/35998

Weapon Retexture Project
http://newvegas.nexusmods.com/mods/38285

NMC's Texture Pack
http://newvegas.nexusmods.com/mods/43135

EVE - Essential Visual Enhancements
http://newvegas.nexusmods.com/mods/42666

Along with the extended script and the patch that allows Vegas to recognise more that 2gb of RAM:
http://nvse.silverlock.org/

The Darnified UI creates a smaller, neater UI. It can be installed through the Nexus Mod Manager, but requires editing of .ini files in order to reduce the font size to ensure that it displays correctly (instructions in the YouTube video linked below):
http://forums.bethsoft.com/topic/1143482-wipzbeta-darnified-ui-nv/

Enhanced shaders:
http://newvegas.nexusmods.com/mods/34868

All of these mods alter the game exclusively on a visual level.

A modder named Gopher has produced an excellent series of YouTube videos that will guide the modding inept (and here I include myself) through a painless process. The Nexus Mod Manager allows you to easily activate and deactivate any mod installed through it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-3c1a9cLL8

Within its limitations I don't think the game looks all that bad now:

 

[Black Panther]

subbed!

 

[Mindweaver]

I wished I would have picked up New Vegas now.. But I'll pick it up on the next sell for sure!

 

[RevengE]

I played through it on my PS3. I liked it. Modded on my PC would be cool. I may pick it up next sale.

 

[dank1983man420]

I played through it on my PS3. I liked it. Modded on my PC would be cool. I may pick it up next sale.

I wished I would have picked up New Vegas now.. But I'll pick it up on the next sell for sure!

Here's a sale on a boxed copy for anyone that wants to try this game now because of the great mods it has for ithttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832136013

Off topic: They got RAGE on sale for the same price too

 

[Mr McC]

Edited the first post to include the Darnified UI and the Enhanced Shaders mods. Gopher's videos provide comprehensive information on a wealth of mods affecting various aspects of gameplay, but for those playing for the first time, or those who wish to improve the game visually without straying too far from the original, the mods listed above will suffice: I am extremely impressed with what they have done. I have all of these mods installed at the minute and have encountered no problems.