Video games are masterpieces. Every game is the culmination of years of effort, and the results often speak for themselves. Great games pull you in from the start and keep you interested until the end. But what about when you want something more?
Even the best games have room for some polishing. Mods give players better experiences. Some are simple, offering little more than tweaked interfaces and updated graphics. Others are wholesale overhauls that bring fresh, vibrant content to otherwise stagnant games. Thebestmods deliver seamless updates to your favorite games.
10DFHack
Dwarf Fortress
Dwarf Fortressbills itself as a storytelling game. Its sprawling fantasy lands are procedurally generated romps, guaranteeing each new fort differs from the last. Despite its relative obscurity, the dense simulation game inspired many of today’s most popular settlement builders, includingRimworld.
However, for all its strengths, the often clunky game has its weaknesses. DFHack provides players with a godlike toolkit to keep the game running. Its countless commands let players subvert bugs, improve the game’s native automation capabilities, andmanipulate the world to their liking. After all, It’s considered thede factomod for any serious Dwarf Fortress player for a reason.
9Seamless Co-Op For Elden Ring By LukeYui
Elden Ring
There’s no denying the artistry ofElden Ring. George R. R. Martin’s worldbuilding laid the perfect foundation for the 2022 Soulslike hit; that’s a non-starter for naysayers. Its somewhat clunky controls are by design, so there’s another dead end. Its graphics, too, are undeniably gorgeous. So, what could possibly be wrong with FromSoftware’s commercial and critical darling?
For its many strengths,Elden Ring lacks full co-op. Youcanplay with friends, but some parts of the fantasy epic are locked into solo mode. Elden Ring’s Seamless Co-Op mod removes those restrictions, so your pals can follow you from the beginning to the end of your journey. Despite its simplicity, LukeYui’s mod adds much-needed functionality to an otherwise perfect game.
8Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Unofficial Patch
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlinesis a bit of a gaming dark horse. It had all the potential to become the definitive blueprint for vampiric role-playing games, but its troubled development history dulled its shine. Shortly after the game’s release, its development arm was shuttered, leaving the final product a buggy mess.
The Unofficial Patch fixes those release day hiccups and smooths the game’s rough edges. Since its release, the Unofficial Patch mod has expanded beyond its stated purpose. After fixing the game, its dedicated team dug through the files and restored last-minute cut content. Additional add-ons to the mod improve the game’s dated graphics.
7DayZ By Dean Hall
Arma 2
Way back in 2009, Bohemia Interactive released a tactical shooter calledArma 2. The game was well-received and contributed to the decade’s ever-growing pile of tactical shooters. In many ways, it was yet another brick in the wall. It was neither a commercial smash hit nor an absolute failure.
Despite the game’s content, its most famous addition was a fan-made mod by Dean Hall. DayZ pitted players against hoards of mindless zombies. Today, it’s a mundane concept, but it was still vaguely novel when the mod first appeared. The mod’s success outshined its source material, eventually spawning its ownstandalone game in 2018.
6Tamriel Rebuilt
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Before Skyrim, there wasThe Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind. The series’ third entry hit store shelves in 2002, entrancing audiences with a wide-open world of fantasy action. Like its eventual successor, Skyrim, Morrowind immersed players in a carefully rendered world of imagination and danger.
So, it’s only natural to want more time in that fantasy world. Tamriel Rebuilt is a massive, ongoing project to integrate the titular region’s mainland into the game. The ever-evolving project has added multiple regions from previous Elder Scrolls entries, and it team is still working on more.
5Enderal: Forgotten Stories
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Few games have the enduring draw ofSkyrim. Bethesda’s fifth addition to The Elder Scrolls has been remastered, re-released, and upgraded to near-death. There’s little more to gain from subsequent updates — save, perhaps, for a fishing mechanic. However, with mods, you canextend your stay in the Nord’s homeland.
Enderal: Forgotten Stories is a complete overhaul of Bethesda’s classic fantasy roleplaying game. It takes what you thought you knew about Skyrim and turns it on its head with over thirty hours of new gameplay. Enderal transports your Dragonborn to an entirely new region. There, you’ll meet new, fully-voiced NPCs with fresh quests, mechanics, and collectibles to enjoy.
4Fallout: New California
Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegasis considered one of the series’ best entries. Long-term fans adore its narrative depth, while casual players love itsrich world and combat system. Like any Fallout game, New Vegas boasts a massive map that spans over 8,500 square miles. Its world is similarly expansive, populated by countless NPCs and events.
Fallout: New California gives you even more to explore. The massive mod adds an entirely new questline for The Courier. Fully voiced NPCs and new companions are ready to help you expand your legacy into California.
3The Sith Lords Restored Content Modification (TSLRCM)
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
Despite its enduring status as one of the fanbase’s most beloved games,Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2is marred by its rushed release. That’s not to say it’s abadgame; it’s an in-depth exploration of George Lucas’ beloved science-fiction universe. However, its glut of missing and cut content is apparent.
Fortunately, dedicated fans have located and revived these “lost” files. The Sith Lords Restored Content Modification package reintroduces many characters, gameplay features, and quests lost to the game’s final time crunch. As its title implies, most of this content revolves around the game’s Sith route, but Jedis will also find new areas to explore.
2Stardew Valley Expanded
Stardew Valley
In an era of hyper-realistic blockbusters, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone’s charming pixel graphics may seem out of place. However,Stardew Valleythrives on its individuality. The cozy farming sim redefines the genre with its lovable cast and impossibly satisfying gameplay loop. While there’s no definitive “end” to the game, players often find themselves wanting more time to relax in the picturesque valley.
Enter Stardew Valley Expanded, a (relatively) massive mod that doubles the scope of the game. SVE adds new areas, collectibles, tools, and NPCs to bolster their agricultural adventures. Like Stardew Valley, this massive mod is a labor of love. Each addition is a chance to connect with the world and its developers.
1Garry’s Mod
Half-Life 2
Today, you’re able to buyGarry’s Modas a standalone game. However, the world’s (arguably) most famous video game mod began as an add-on for Valve’sHalf-Life 2. The first version of the iconic sandbox editor appeared online on July 23, 2025, as if to present itself as a holiday gift to the world.
You’ll have to dig deep to find the original Half-Life 2 mod, but the standalone sandbox may offer more entertainment than its source material. Thanks to its thriving fanbase, Garry’s Mod has accumulated countless playable maps, minigames, and scenarios to enjoy.
