Mods That Kept A Video Game Franchise Alive
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VOICE OVER: Riccardo Tucci
WRITTEN BY: Garrett Alden
Welcome to MojoPlays and today we'll be looking at some mods that kept a video game franchise alive. We'll be excluding games like “Dota 2,” as it's a sequel to a mod.
Mods That Kept a Video Game Franchise Alive
Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’ll be looking at some mods that kept a video game franchise alive. We’ll be excluding games like “Dota 2,” as it’s a sequel to a mod.
“Deus Ex: Revision” (2015)
A revised version of the original “Deus Ex,” “Deus Ex: Revision” is a mod by Caustic Creative. “Revision” has a whole host of improvements to the cyberpunk series’ first entry. These include UI and bug fixes, as well as updated graphics and an all-new soundtrack. There are also entirely new game modes that alter the playing experience, some of which have new weapons and abilities, or pit the player against hordes of enemies; though there’s still a plainer update to the original game if that’s your cup of tea.
“Project Nevada” (2011)
“Oh look - another “Fallout: New Vegas” mod!” Fair enough, there’s a million of them. What separates “Project Nevada” from the pack is its mix and match modules. The base version the others are built on adds more traditional FPS features that weren’t in the original game, like bullet time and dynamic crosshairs. From there, there are also modules that can add cybernetic enhancements, new and better equipment, and rebalancing the game as a whole; or all three. If you’re sick of mods that give you a bunch of features you like and some you don’t, “Project Nevada” provides a good amount of customization options.
“EDuke32” (2004)
If you’re running short on bubblegum, but are still up for kicking ass, this may be the mod for you! “EDuke32” is a source port for “Duke Nukem 3D,” and upgrades the graphics of the PC classic, while also allowing for a smoother framerate. This, along with the numerous fixes to bugs and other improvements to the game’s interface will have you feeling like you’re playing the best version of the FPS legend. Actively developed by fans of the original game for years, this is the king of “Duke Nukem 3D” mods. And we gotta’ hail to the king, baby.
“Project M” (2011)
“Super Smash Bros. Melee” is still a widely played fighting game in tournaments, and part of that is down to its successor, “Super Smash Bros. Brawl,” not living up to its predecessor. Some fans created a mod, “Project M,” in the hopes of rectifying that. “Project M” modifies the interface and game mechanics of “Brawl” to help it feel as fast and responsive as “Melee” does, like removing its floaty physics and…ugh…tripping. The individual characters have also received balancing tweaks to help make weaker ones more viable and broken ones less overpowering. While development has been halted, the mod still has many fans.
“VTMB Unofficial Patch” (2016)
“Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines” was not a success at its time of release, but since then, its branching story paths, variety of gameplay options and playstyles, and ambition have made it a cult favorite. However, its many glitches and technical issues have held it back from being anything more than a flawed niche game. Thanks to this unofficial patch, which fixes the bugs and includes new content left out of the original game, like more levels, items, storylines, graphical improvements, and much more, “Bloodlines” gains more of the respect and attention it deserved, which may have helped contribute to the recent announcement of a sequel!
“S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha” (2014)
A mod turned full-blown fan remake, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha” takes “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl” and does its best to smooth the edges of this beloved but flawed survival horror FPS. Although received well enough upon release, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl” had bugs galore at its initial release and was not as smooth or polished as its alpha promised (hence the name). “Lost Alpha” attempts to rectify these bugs, and while not entirely successful, it’s certainly closer to the game’s original promise. Not only that, but many of the game’s levels have been redesigned, with some new additions too; helping maintain interest in a franchise that’s been mostly dead since 2010.
“Morrowind Overhaul” (2011)
Bethesda games are practically made to be modded, since there are often little things, like bugs or graphical deficiencies that players dislike about the base games. Yet, diving into the many individual mods can be daunting; which is why “Morrowind Overhaul” is so appealing. As the name suggests, “Overhaul” “overhauls” the graphics and audio of the game en masse and enhances them all to the point where they’re nearly up to modern standards. It probably won’t be the “Morrowind” experience that you remember playing – it’ll probably be better. And it just might give you something to tide you over until “Elder Scrolls VI” comes out.
“Brutal Doom” (2012)
“Hey,” we can hear you say, “isn’t every ‘Doom,’ a ‘brutal’ ‘Doom?’” Why yes, fellow lame joke maker, yes they are. But this particular one is a mod of the original PC game and it also really lives up to its name. “Brutal Doom” ratchets the game’s famed violence up to 11, featuring more blood, gore, and violent actions; adding interactive kill animations like the modern “Doom” as well as more weapons, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. All this on top of the improved graphics and framerate, and this is one old game you’ll definitely want to polish off and try again.
Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’ll be looking at some mods that kept a video game franchise alive. We’ll be excluding games like “Dota 2,” as it’s a sequel to a mod.
“Deus Ex: Revision” (2015)
A revised version of the original “Deus Ex,” “Deus Ex: Revision” is a mod by Caustic Creative. “Revision” has a whole host of improvements to the cyberpunk series’ first entry. These include UI and bug fixes, as well as updated graphics and an all-new soundtrack. There are also entirely new game modes that alter the playing experience, some of which have new weapons and abilities, or pit the player against hordes of enemies; though there’s still a plainer update to the original game if that’s your cup of tea.
“Project Nevada” (2011)
“Oh look - another “Fallout: New Vegas” mod!” Fair enough, there’s a million of them. What separates “Project Nevada” from the pack is its mix and match modules. The base version the others are built on adds more traditional FPS features that weren’t in the original game, like bullet time and dynamic crosshairs. From there, there are also modules that can add cybernetic enhancements, new and better equipment, and rebalancing the game as a whole; or all three. If you’re sick of mods that give you a bunch of features you like and some you don’t, “Project Nevada” provides a good amount of customization options.
“EDuke32” (2004)
If you’re running short on bubblegum, but are still up for kicking ass, this may be the mod for you! “EDuke32” is a source port for “Duke Nukem 3D,” and upgrades the graphics of the PC classic, while also allowing for a smoother framerate. This, along with the numerous fixes to bugs and other improvements to the game’s interface will have you feeling like you’re playing the best version of the FPS legend. Actively developed by fans of the original game for years, this is the king of “Duke Nukem 3D” mods. And we gotta’ hail to the king, baby.
“Project M” (2011)
“Super Smash Bros. Melee” is still a widely played fighting game in tournaments, and part of that is down to its successor, “Super Smash Bros. Brawl,” not living up to its predecessor. Some fans created a mod, “Project M,” in the hopes of rectifying that. “Project M” modifies the interface and game mechanics of “Brawl” to help it feel as fast and responsive as “Melee” does, like removing its floaty physics and…ugh…tripping. The individual characters have also received balancing tweaks to help make weaker ones more viable and broken ones less overpowering. While development has been halted, the mod still has many fans.
“VTMB Unofficial Patch” (2016)
“Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines” was not a success at its time of release, but since then, its branching story paths, variety of gameplay options and playstyles, and ambition have made it a cult favorite. However, its many glitches and technical issues have held it back from being anything more than a flawed niche game. Thanks to this unofficial patch, which fixes the bugs and includes new content left out of the original game, like more levels, items, storylines, graphical improvements, and much more, “Bloodlines” gains more of the respect and attention it deserved, which may have helped contribute to the recent announcement of a sequel!
“S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha” (2014)
A mod turned full-blown fan remake, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha” takes “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl” and does its best to smooth the edges of this beloved but flawed survival horror FPS. Although received well enough upon release, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl” had bugs galore at its initial release and was not as smooth or polished as its alpha promised (hence the name). “Lost Alpha” attempts to rectify these bugs, and while not entirely successful, it’s certainly closer to the game’s original promise. Not only that, but many of the game’s levels have been redesigned, with some new additions too; helping maintain interest in a franchise that’s been mostly dead since 2010.
“Morrowind Overhaul” (2011)
Bethesda games are practically made to be modded, since there are often little things, like bugs or graphical deficiencies that players dislike about the base games. Yet, diving into the many individual mods can be daunting; which is why “Morrowind Overhaul” is so appealing. As the name suggests, “Overhaul” “overhauls” the graphics and audio of the game en masse and enhances them all to the point where they’re nearly up to modern standards. It probably won’t be the “Morrowind” experience that you remember playing – it’ll probably be better. And it just might give you something to tide you over until “Elder Scrolls VI” comes out.
“Brutal Doom” (2012)
“Hey,” we can hear you say, “isn’t every ‘Doom,’ a ‘brutal’ ‘Doom?’” Why yes, fellow lame joke maker, yes they are. But this particular one is a mod of the original PC game and it also really lives up to its name. “Brutal Doom” ratchets the game’s famed violence up to 11, featuring more blood, gore, and violent actions; adding interactive kill animations like the modern “Doom” as well as more weapons, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. All this on top of the improved graphics and framerate, and this is one old game you’ll definitely want to polish off and try again.
