Bethesda gets top marks in my books not only for making great games, but for giving such solid support to the fans of their games, in the way of modding tools.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion received tremendous love from modders, thanks in large part to the quality tool set released by Bethesda. Although not released as the same time as the game, Fallout 3 has just recently received the GECK: a powerful modding SDK. With the release of the GECK, the modding floodgates have opened, and already multiple projects are underway.
Unfortunately mods are stricltly a PC-only thing, so: sorry console gamers, you are out of luck here. But hey, you don't have to worry about bugs nearly as much, so it balances out I suppose.
Currently the largest Fallout 3 mod repository is Fallout 3 Nexus. At the time of this writing, there is an incredible 1700+ mods currently available for Fallout 3. Have you played through Fallout 3, and are now perhaps looking for a change of pace? Every type of mod under the sun is currently available, this soon after the release of the GECK: graphics and texture mods, NPC mods, weight mods, clothing mods, quest mods, serious gameplay mods, cheats, music mods, and UI mods.
The future looks really bright for Fallout 3. It'll be interesting to see what the mod situation is like a year from now. It seems highly likely that there will be some massive mods for the game, like with Oblivion, such as the excellent 400MB Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul.
But as of now, two mods seem particularly promising. The first is the Item Description Mod. This mod adds descriptions to all the items in the game. A nice touch that seems like a no-brainer download. Being able to read a bit of backstory to generic items like the 'Chinese Assault Rifle' and the 'Recon Armor' add a surprising amount to the game.
The second mod that seems very promising indeed is the Fallout 3 Compendium Mod. This is a huge 'master-mod' that changes a great deal in the game. Many people behind this effort have been known to frequent the bastion of the hardcore Fallout fan, No Mutants Allowed. The unofficial name for the mod is the 'Fallout Restoration Project'. The makers of this mod have a vision for improving Fallout 3, and this mod changes a great deal of the game towards this goal. Already it has been updated a few times, and work continues whole-heatedly on this project. Here is a very brief overview of some of the changes brought to the game already. Maybe you should check it out! Personally, I'm going to give it another 4-6 months before I dive in to see what goodness this mod brings:
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[Accuracy] As your skill with a weapon increases, so shall your accuracy both in run & gun and VATS. In VATS however, your Perception also plays a role in your maximum accuracy percent.[Difficulty] Many creatures are tougher, and many of your opponents are more skillful marksman too. Learn to survive by making use of your surroundings as well as the items and tools at your disposal.
[Battle] Combat actions require AP to perform, run out and you better take cover until you're ready to act again. AP regenerates over time at the fixed rate of 7 per second.
[Traits] After the tutorial, select up to 2 traits for your character from a canon-accurate list of traits.*[Perks] Earn a Perk every other level, and choose from a much wider selection of perks!**[Weaponry] There are many new weapons. Mk 23, FN Fal, Scorpion vz. 61, Desert Eagle, TRG, Molotov Cocktail, Throwing Knives, Flamethrower Mk II, Thermobaric Mortar, dual-action shotguns, and Silenced
versions of numerous firearms.
[Skills] Tagged skills grow twice as fast, and you can earn 5-15 skill points at each level up. In addition, the Barter skill is more important now.
[Radiation] Poking around radioactive waste will not grant you super powers. Radiation is more difficult to get rid of, and all a doctor can do to help is sell you Rad Away.
[Game Over] Continue your adventure, however misguided, after completing the main quest.[Leveling] Getting that level up will take more XP than before.[Armor] Power Armor Mk I upgrades the wearer's strength to 8, regardless of their own real strength.
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Double barrel shotguns? How cool is that?
Long live modders, Bethesda, and Fallout 3 fans.
