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Essays 01 September 2014, 09:01

author: Adrian Werner

Best Mods of Summer: Metro Simulator in Half-Life 2, Rome Universalis, Watch Dogs Twaeks

One of undeniable advantages of playing on PC is modding. Devoted fan communities work hard to alter games beyond recognition, fix bugs, or add new content. From the ocean of mods we chose the best.

In our series we present the most interesting modifications that were lately released or updated. We will show you how to tweak the graphics in Watch Dogs and Grand Theft Auto IV, change Half-Life 2 into a subway simulator, and take Europa Universalis IV into the ancient Rome. These are of course just some selected items. Let us know on @gamepressure if you want us to add mods for your favorite game in the next episode.

Action games

How to tweak Watch_Dogs

The Worse Mod - 2014-09-09
The Worse Mod

Watch_Dogs proved to be a very good game, but the fact is we expected much more in terms of graphics. Fortunately, fans came to our aid releasing several interesting mods that improve the situation. The first of these projects is The Worse Mod, which activates an array of visual options that were hidden by the developers, such as depth of field, HDR, and greatly improved water. Together they take the graphics close to the level that we saw during E3 2012, which was significantly better than what we got in the final version of the game.

At the same time, the mod has rich configuration options, enabling us to freely customize many graphical features, making it possible not only to adjust the game’s visuals to our own preferences, but also has impact on gameplay, as some of the effects may not always work properly.

  1. The Worse Mod - download
  2. The Worse Mod + MalDo pack - download (extra textures)

If The Worse Mod is too much for your PC, you may want to check out Enhanced Reality mod. It improves game’s graphics by tweaking visual features and activating effects that can run on the game’s engine but were purposely disabled by Ubisoft Studios. Among the improved features there are: colorgrading, reflections and shadows, more dynamic wind, realistically rendered rain, and higher view distances.

At the same time, the mod was designed to improve the game’s performance. This way an optimal compromise was reached between tweaking the game’s visuals and optimization. Worst case scenario, the engine is going to work the same way it did in the vanilla version, at the same time offering much better visuals.

The mod comes in several versions. One is E3 Edition that imitates the graphics from the game’s first presentation on E3. It emphasizes strong visual effects, which may not be very realistic, but look great. On the other hand, Cool Edition offers a little cooler weather with a bluish filter. Finally, Subtle Edition does not influence the game’s atmosphere solely focusing on improving the graphics in the way so to reach the golden mean between realism and showiness.

  1. Enhanced Reality v. 3.1 (E3 Edition) - download
  2. Enhanced Reality v. 3.1 (Cool Edition) - download
  3. Enhanced Reality v. 3.1 (Subtle Edition) - download

iCEnhancer 3.0 for Grand Theft Auto IV

Watch_Dogs is the hottest sandbox right now, but it does not mean that everyone has forgotten about the good old Grand Theft Auto IV. After long months of waiting the 3.0 version of iCEnhancer mod was released. The newest edition brings a plethora of changes to colors and adds new visual effects along with modifications to the old ones. The final effect is breathtaking, so that sometimes it is hard to believe that this is the same game that hit the retailers in 2008.

Sadly, this is most likely the last version of iCEnhancer. Enormous popularity of the project attracted hordes of trolls, so that the mod’s creator was flooded by negative comments and decided to give up modding. He only promised to release an installer and uninstaller and then he is going to retire. We hope that he will change his mind in the future, and that the release of the PC version of Grand Theft Auto V will rekindle his enthusiasm.

  1. iCEnhancer v.3.0 (for GTA IV 1.0.4.0) - download
  2. iCEnhancer v.3.0 (for GTA IV 1.0.7.0.) - download
  3. iCEnhancer v.3.0 (for Episodes from Liberty City) - download

False Dawn for Quake 4

Quake 4 saw another version of False Dawn mod, which serves as an unofficial expansion offering an extensive single player campaign. The story is set four years after the events from the original game. You play as a Strogg-modified commando who has to stop an alien empire from finalizing the construction of a weapon able to annihilate the entire humanity.

Apart from the new campaign, the mod also offers greatly improved graphics and a new health and damage system. Moreover, all levels were designed to encourage non-linear gameplay and large freedom.

  1. False Dawn - download

System Shock Infinite for System Shock

System Shock Infinity v1.7 for System Shock 2 was released. The mod introduces a new single player campaign, which continues the story from the original game. The game takes off after the defeat of Shodan AI. You play as a man afflicted with amnesia who gets a chance to recover his memories. Moreover, he learns that there may be a way of going back in time and preventing the catastrophe on Von Braun.

The mod not only offers brand new locations and missions, but also introduces less linear gameplay. You often have to make tough decisions, which, along with your actions on the way, influence the ending you are going to see. On top of that, the character progression system was significantly modified.

  1. System Shock Infinite - download

Half-Life 2 mods

In the last couple of weeks Half-Life 2 modding community did a fine work, releasing several worth mentioning modifications as well as updates for older projects.

The Citizen Returns - 2014-09-09
The Citizen Returns

The Citizen Returns is a mod for Half-Life 2: Episode Two set in the universe created by Valve Studios. The story takes off after a failed attempt on Dr. Breen’s life. Despite that failure, the rebels managed to use Overwatch system to emit a broadband message calling for fighting against the invaders. Combine forces captured Larry Soderstrom, the mechanic who was spreading the message, and intend to publicly execute him as a warning for others. You have to prevent that.

The mod is an excellent piece of work, with beautiful location filled with a plethora of new objects, skillfully designed action sequences, and balanced firefights.

  1. The Citizen Returns - download
Courage - 2014-09-09
Courage

Courage introduces a new mini-campaign to Half-Life: Episode Two, whose action takes place in a secret research facility that tests soldier’s susceptibility to stress. You play as one of the participants of the experiment, who has to survive through a series of tests designed by scientists. In the game you quickly learn that not everything in the laboratory is the way it should be, and it is quite possible that the protagonist has been fed with lies.

  1. Courage - download
Darkness: Source - 2014-09-09
Darkness: Source

Darkness: Source is a multiplayer-oriented Half-Life 2 modification that puts two teams of players up against each other – one group plays as soldiers, the other as giant spiders. Each side of the conflict has seven character classes, which can be unlocked for frags gained in the game. The project is a spiritual successor of Gloom mode for Quake 2.

  1. Darkness: Source - download
Climbox - 2014-09-09
Climbox

Climbox is a Half-Life 2 mod, whose action takes place in one of the most famous locations ever created by Valve Studios, City 17. You play as Gordon Freeman who has to climb at the rooftop of a tall building. This is not easy, as every floor is crawling with enemies.

The mod has no elaborate story nor clever scripts. Instead, it offers carefully designed levels and lots of exciting firefights.

  1. Climbox - download
Keys - 2014-09-09
Keys

Those who prefer something less tense may be interested in mod Keys for Half-Life 2. This is a short, story-based narrative experiment. You travel around strange islands and learn sad stories of pilots and mariners. Revealing anything more than that would spoil the fun of discovering the fascinating story on your own.

  1. Keys - download
Rabbit Hole - 2014-09-09
Rabbit Hole

In turn, Rabbit Hole for Half-Life 2: Episode Two is yet another single-player mini-campaign. You wake up with no memory of your previous actions and start running from Combine soldiers, without knowing why exactly they are chasing you. Once you have fought your way through enemy patrols in the streets, you have to go down underground to old catacombs, where the final act of the story plays out.

The mod’s strong point is its thick atmosphere of constant threat as well as level-design inspired by old-school FPS games, which means that the combat is focused on larger arenas and labyrinths, where players have a large leeway.

  1. Rabbit Hole - download
Metro Simulator - 2014-09-09
Metro Simulator

Another thing that is worth mentioning is Metro Simulator for Half-Life 2: Episode Two. The title is self-explanatory. Its creator converted the FPS from Valve Studio into a realistic metro simulator, where you have to learn how to control the train, follow instructions, and how to arrive on schedule.

  1. Metro Simulator - download

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Rogue Spear mods

One of Rainbow Six fans awoke from his winter sleep and made a new, improved version of some of his mods for Rogue Spear.

  1. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Campaign for Rogue Spear – this mod lets you play the entire campaign from the first game on a much better engine used in the sequel. Everything, starting with single player missions, through all the extra modes (co-op, terrorist hunt, lone wolf etc), as well as cut-scenes, was remade.
  2. Co-Op Remixed – adds two new missions (Store and Hospital) for the cooperative Terrorist Hunt.
  3. Classic Eagle Watch Mission Pack is a reconstructed campaign from Eagle Watch – a Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six expansion pack – on a much better engine from the sequel. Everything, starting with single player missions, through all extra missions, ending with cut-scenes, was remade.

Assassin's Creed 2014 Overhaul

Assassin's Creed 2014 Overhaul is an Assassin's Creed mod, which aims at improving graphics, which is done mostly by replacing textures. These were taken from Assassin's Creed Revelations, specifically from the sequences when you played as Altair.

  1. Assassin's Creed 2014 Overhaul - download

Far Cry 2 mods

While waiting for Far Cry 4, it is nice to go back to the second game from the series – and that is when Jackal Mod may come in handy. The mod aims to make the gameplay more attractive for the game’s veterans, who are playing the campaign for the umpteenth time. Frequency of patrols was reduced, malaria removed, and all the weapons unlocked, while increasing their realism and fire power. Besides, the AI was strongly modified, so it put up a greater challenge.

  1. Jackal Mod - download

On the other hand, Strelokgunslinger ENB Preset is another version of a popular ENB mod, adjusted to Far Cry 2. It alters colors and visual effects, so the game looked more spectacular and cinematic.

  1. Strelokgunslinger ENB Preset - download

SAS Mod for SWAT 4: The Stetchkov

It is also worthwhile to pay some attention to the new version of SAS Mod for SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate. The mod alters the entire game, replacing American police special force with British SAS commandos. Among the things that have been changed there are: character models, weapons, equipment, as well as enemy and friendly AI. Moreover, mission objectives and orders issued are strictly military-oriented, so you do not have to worry about having to spare lives of suspects. The mod creators also fixed some bugs left by the original developers and increased gameplay realism, e.g. by minimizing the interface, so it did not show things like the number of bullets remaining in a magazine.

  1. SAS Mod - download

RPG

The Keep on the Borderlands for Temple of Elemental Evil

At last, after many years of waiting, we lived to see the release of the full version of The Keep on the Borderlands for Temple of Elemental Evil. The project introduces a new, expansive campaign based on the classic module of the table version of Dungeons & Dragons released in 1979. Players take control over a group of adventurers, who come to an old keep. In its vicinity there is a system of caves crawling with monsters. They do not know, though, that the real danger lurks inside the keep.

  1. The Keep on the Borderlands - download

A Quest for Heaven 2 for Fallout 3

A Quest for Heaven 2 - Like a diamond in the sky is a Fallout 3 modification, which brings a new mini-campaign that takes you into a space station. The project offers brand-new missions, locations, weapons, and it was excellently made in terms of technicality.

Before playing, you should first get to know the first part of the series.

  1. A Quest for Heaven 2 - Like a diamond in the sky – download

Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon for Neverwinter Nights

Another update came for Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon, a Neverwinter Nights mod. It recreates the classic dungeon crawler from Westwood studios on a new engine. The game’s specifics brought about some necessary changes – FPP view was dropped as well as tile-based movement, however, the level-design, clashes, and the story are all the same. The whole thing offers several dozens hours of gameplay.

The story takes off after you are summoned to Waterdeep by the town’s Archmage. He suspects that evil arrived in the Temple of Darkmoon. He sent there his experienced pupil named Amber, but she was lost without a trace. That is why he wants to hire you to discover the truth.

  1. Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon - download

1257 AD Middle Europe for Mount & Blade

The final version of a Mount & Blade mod 1257 AD Middle Europe is now out. The mod moves the action from a fictional realm into the Europe of 1257. The authors realistically recreated this period replacing almost every element of the game’s content. A new map was introduced, along with different nations, units, and equipment. Also the gameplay mechanics was significantly modified, so it reflected the historical truth better. At the same time, the changes did not disturb the fun factor of the game.

  1. 1257 AD Middle Europe – download

Balmora Market for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

When it comes to smaller projects, a new edition of Balmora Market for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind should be mentioned. The mod introduces four new adventures, which start at the titular Balmora Market. Go there and find Old Ted, who will point you toward action.

  1. Balmora Market - download

Strategy games

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 mods

France 1940 - 2014-09-09
France 1940

Lately, there has been an abundance of Men of War: Assault Squad 2 mods. Most of them are conversions of projects created for the previous parts of the series, however, there are some novelties too.

  1. Base Of Operations – a massive single player mission, which requires a lot of smarts. Haste results in death, instead you should keep a low profile and quietly eliminate opponents making good use of smoke grenades and sniper rifles.
  2. France 1940 this mission, as the title suggests, takes place in a French province in the year 1940. The project was designed for multiplayer gameplay in co-op and skirmish modes.
  3. Afrika Corps – an extensive mission, in which you command German forces fighting against the Allies in Africa. You start the game with just a couple of men, and you have to keep a low profile. In time, reaching consecutive objectives will make your squad number grow.
  4. Operation Market Garden – a massive single player mission, which can be played as either Germans or the Allies. The map structure necessitates quiet approach and careful planning of your every move.
  5. Recon Squad – introduces five new single player missions, in which you get thrown behind enemy lines without weapons and equipment. You command a squad made of soldiers varying in specializations, and the maps were designed so to enable different playstyles.
  6. German Eastern Campaign – five-mission campaign, in which you command German forces on the Eastern Front.

Men of War mods

Fans also remembered about the first part of the Men of War series.

Global War - 2014-09-09
Global War

Especially noteworthy is the new version of Global War. The project adds something the game really lacked, namely skirmish mode. Here you fight single battles against the AI, having access to all units from the campaign as well as rich customization options of map details and starting positions.

  1. Global War - download

In turn, RGB2 Mod - Chapter 1 offers six new single player missions. In contrast to most of the missions in the game, the ones from the mod are heavily story-driven, sporting an extensive scenario, colorful characters, and skillfully scripted sequences.

  1. RGB2 Mod - Chapter 1 - download

Rome Universalis for Europa Universalis IV

Rome Universalis is a Europa Universalis IV mod, which was created as a spiritual successor to Europa Universalis: Rome released in 2008. This means that the mod is set in the times of the Roman Empire. You can start the game in the year 274 BCE, in times when Rome was just starting off on its way to become a world power, the Carthage still controlled most of the trade, and the heirs of Alexander the Great were fighting over his empire.

  1. Rome Universalis - download

Spellforce 2 mods

While waiting for the announcement of the third installment of the Spellforce series, one of its fans released updated versions of his mods for the second game.

Power of Immortals introduces a single-player campaign with seven new maps. The story focuses on an invasion of demons on Eo realm, and you play as the hero who must stop them.

  1. Power of Immortals – download

In turn, Harbingers Of The Decay campaign consists of eight extensive missions. It tells a story of a war between cultists and demons, in which one of the warring factions is trying to summon the Red God, while the other is doing everything to prevent that.

  1. Harbingers Of The Decay - Spellforce 2: Demons Of The Past version - download
  2. Harbingers Of The Decay - Spellforce 2: Fath in Destiny version - download

Finally, Army Of Zarach campaign brings eight new maps and quests for at least several hours of gameplay. You play as a hero who has to reveal the identity of the Dark Mage, a mysterious character able to resurrect dead monsters.

  1. Army Of Zarach - download

Kings and Conquerors: The Hellenistic Era for Rise of Nations

You should also pay attention to Kings and Conquerors: The Hellenistic Era, a mod for Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots, which recently saw Rise of Nations Extended Edition. This is a complete conversion, moving the game into antiquity. This is a massive project, which introduces new nations, units, buildings, and technologies. Gameplay mechanics was rebuild too, including war doctrines, diplomacy, and politics. Moreover, unit number limit was raised, so the scale of battles increased.

  1. Kings and Conquerors: The Hellenistic – download Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots version
  2. Kings and Conquerors: The Hellenistic – download Rise of Nations Extended Edition version

Twisted Insurrection for Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun

A new beta version of Twisted Insurrection was released. This is a Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun mod, offering a new extensive single player campaign, set in an alternative reality, in which NOD forces won the war with GDI. Apart from an impressive number of missions, the mod offers a whole bunch of new units, buildings, and technologies. Besides, the authors introduced their own multiplayer mode, where you can play on a hundred new maps.

Another nice thing is that the mod is a standalone game and does not require the original version of Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun.

  1. Twisted Insurrection – download

Other games

A Minuted Millions for Portal 2

A Minuted Millions is a Portal 2 mod that contains a short mini-campaign, which can be finished in an hour or so. It is focused on exploration and more traditional, adventure-like approach to puzzle-solving. Depending on your choices, you will see one of two endings.

  1. A Minuted Millions - download

Amnesia: The Dark Descent adventures

Amnesia: The Dark Descent fans too, stood up to the challenge releasing a couple of new, well-polished adventures.

The Many Hands Project - 2014-09-09
The Many Hands Project

The Many Hands Project is an adventure made by a group of members of the official forum, lead by Rueppells-Fox. Everyone took eight hours to prepare a single room, and then all the creations were combined into one massive castle.

  1. The Many Hands Project - download
Oblivion: Drops of Wine - 2014-09-09
Oblivion: Drops of Wine

Oblivion: Drops of Wine is a mod that lets you play as a man who wakes up in a strange castle and finds a note informing him that he has already died there five times. The project emphasizes puzzles and exploration, as you have to search for keys.

  1. Oblivion: Drops of Wine - download

Another good choice would be Lifeless The Abandon. It is set in 2003, and you play as a young journalist who enjoys exploring old castles. One day he gets a tip about an abandoned, forgotten castle. Unable to resist, the protagonist decides to go there.

The mod sports excellently designed maps, whose detail level by far exceeds the original game.

  1. Lifeless The Abandon – download

Shadow of Fear for Freelancer

Finally, it is good to mention the new version of Shadow of Fear for Freelancer. This is a massive mod, which serves as an unofficial expansion. A great deal of new sectors were added, along with space stations, planets, ships, merchandise, and weaponry. The gameplay was rebalanced, advanced AI bots and wingmen were introduced, as well as new races dwelling in the galaxy. On top of that there are hundreds of new missions and graphics improvements, including textures and visual effects.

  1. Shadow of Fear - download

Adrian Werner

Adrian Werner

A true veteran of the Gamepressure newsroom, writing continuously since 2009 and still not having enough. He caught the gaming bug thanks to playing on his friend's ZX Spectrum. Then he switched to his own Commodore 64, and after a short adventure with 16-bit consoles, he forever entrusted his heart to PC games. A fan of niche productions, especially adventure games, RPGs and games of the immersive sim genre, as well as a mod enthusiast. Apart from games, he devourers stories in every form - books, series, movies, and comics.

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