

If you've played Fallout 3, then the simplest description of Fallout: New Vegas is that it is more of the same goodness, but with RPG enhancements including a better companion management system, Hardcore mode which places greater emphasis on strategy and realism, and a Reputation System that means your actions now have more consequences. In terms of genre, Fallout: New Vegas can best be described as a cross between an adventure game, a role-playing game, and a first person shooter, having elements of all three. Fallout: New Vegas begins in the late 23rd century, shortly after the events of Fallout 3, allowing you to once again enter this bizarre alternate reality and explore the post-apocalyptic wasteland surrounding and including Las Vegas, now known as New Vegas. You'll also need to fire up New Vegas through Steam or GOG the regular way once for xNVSE's loader to work.If you're unfamiliar with the Fallout series of games, the quirky premise is that America effectively became culturally stuck in the 1950's 'Atomic Age', right up to a devastating nuclear war which occurs in the early 21st century. I recommend making a shortcut of this file and putting it on your desktop. NOTE: For xNVSE to take effect, you'll need to launch New Vegas with the nvse_loader.exe file that comes with this mod. The download page has installation instructions. This mod extends the scripting capabilities of the vanilla game, which is necessary for making many popular mods work. Next up, you'll want the newest version of the New Vegas Script Extender, or xNVSE. If desired, you can override LOOT's optimization to make manual tweaks to your load order yourself (this shouldn't be necessary for the mods in this list).

This program automatically reorganizes your load order to make it as stable as possible.

A great tool to pair with your mod manager is the Load Order Optimization Tool, or LOOT. This will allow New Vegas to read and accept any texture mods you install (we'll get to those later). Then go to Settings > Workarounds > BSA Redirection and toggle it. After installing it, log in, and select New Vegas as the game you're modding. I highly recommend Vortex since it has a great UI and is very easy to use. These tools automatically handle most mods' installation, so you don't have to dig around in-game files - simply drag-and-drop compressed mod files, and the mod manager will do the rest. The first thing you need is a Nexus Mods account, the website where most mods are posted. VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more
