Summary
One of the biggest perks of playing on PC,besides flexible graphics settingsand uncapped frame rates, is access to a massive library of mods. Many of the most popular PC games draw in millions of players, fueling demand for mods that fine-tune gameplay, enhance visuals, add new features, or even introduce entirely new quests and mechanics. The possibilities for modding nowadays are practically endless.
Open-world games, especially RPGs that offer a high degree of freedom, tend to be fan favorites on PC. Players love customizing characters,immersing themselves in vast worlds, tackling various activities, and finding fresh ways to spice up their favorite games on repeat playthroughs. Below, we’ll take a look at some of thebest open-world games with thriving modding communities(sorted by the number of mods available), using theNexuswebsiteas a reference and highlighting the most popular mods available for each title.
To keep the selection fresh and relevant, older open-world titles from major franchises, such asOblivion,Fallout 3, andMorrowind, are excluded in favor of their modern counterparts.
When it comes to modding,Skyrimis one of the first games that comes to mind. Few open-world RPGs have left such a lasting legacy, and while Bethesda games are known for their extensive modding support,Skyrimstands in a league of its own. Its total mod count nearly doubles that of the next contender,Fallout 4, allowing players to customize almost every aspect ofSkyrimon PC. From new locations, quests, and gameplay mechanics to weapon overhauls, combat improvements, andcomplete visual makeovers,Skyrim’smodding scene offers limitless possibilities.
Even after all these years,Skyrimremains unbeatable in terms of modding support. Bethesda has released multiple editions of the game, each amassing tens of thousands of mods, bringing the total file count to around 180,000. Nearly 15 years later,Skyrimstill sees 20,000 to 40,000 daily players on Steam alone, with new mods appearing constantly—a true testament to its lasting popularity andcolossal modding potential.
When saying that Bethesda’s RPGs have some of the most extensive modding support,Fallout 4is a prime example. As the latest single-player entry in the iconic series, it stands out among open-world PC games for its sheer number of mods and wide range of customization options. A big part ofFallout 4’slasting popularity comes from its deep crafting and building systems, allowing players toreshape the Wastelandhowever they see fit.
Some of themost popularFallout 4mods on PCenhance crafting, armor smithing, and weapon customization, while others expand character creation, improve weather and graphics, or add new music, quests, dialogue, and companions. With so many ways to modify the game,Fallout 4remains a top choice for PC modders.
An older sibling toFallout 4,Fallout: New Vegasremains one of the most beloved entries in the series, often praised for capturing the feel of the original Interplay games. As the oldest title on this list, it shares its modding potential withFallout 3, running on the same Bethesda engine with a few tweaks. Despite its age, new mods forFallout: New Vegasstill appear weekly,keeping the game freshnearly 15 years after its release.
Given its dated visuals and technical shortcomings, manyFallout: New Vegasmods focus on improving textures, models, vegetation, lighting, andother effects for a modernized look. Combat is also a key focus, with mods that enhance weapons, add new perks, introduce fresh activities, and expand the Mojave Desert with additional locations. Whether fixing its rough edges or adding entirely new content, the modding community has keptNew Vegasalive for years.
CD Projekt Red quickly rose as a successor to Bethesda and BioWare, becoming known for developing some of the best open-world RPGs. The studio has always prioritized players, offering extensive modding support and dedicated tools for each major release. Its latest title,Cyberpunk 2077, has firmly secured its place among the most popular open-world games for modding, amassing nearly twice as many mods asThe Witcher 3in a much shorter time.
Despite its ambition,Cyberpunk 2077didn’t fully meet expectations for many players, prompting the modding community to step in and address its shortcomings. Given the game’s impressive technology, mostCP2077mods focus on improving gameplay and immersion in Night City, adding more free-form activities,adding and rebalancing weapons,refining vehicle handling, and expanding character customization with more cyberware. Many also enhance NPC variety, making the city feel more alive and dynamic.
One of the newest entries on this list,Starfieldcould never matchSkyrim’ssuccess, but like other Bethesda games on PC, its modding community plays a key role in shaping the experience many fans were hoping for in this sci-fi RPG. Just a year and a half after release,Starfieldhas already built one of the largest modding communities among open-world PC games, with enthusiasts constantly working to refine and expand its ambitious design.
Some of the most popularStarfieldmods include “community patches” that address various shortcomings at once, making the game more exciting and polished, withnotably better combat. WithStarfield’sdeep character and ship customization, many mods push these features even further, while others focus on making the galaxy feel more unpredictable and diverse, offering fresh surprises for explorers.
DespiteThe Witcher 3’sstatus as one of the best open-world fantasy RPGs ever made, its modding community is relatively small compared to other major titles. This may be a testament to how well-crafted the base game is, capable ofcovering the essential needsof the majority of players and leaving modders with fewer gaps to fill beyond quality-of-life tweaks and minor rebalances.
MostWitcher 3mods on PC focus on convenience, such as adjusting weight limits, fast travel, and progression, or refining gear balance, economy, and map usability.Visual enhancements are another major area, with mods that improve lighting and textures, bringing the game closer to its early pre-release showcase.
7Elden Ring
Over 5,500 Mods With Over 40 Million Downloads
Universally loved by Soulsborne fans,Elden Ringrepresents the pinnacle of the open-world Soulslike formula, offering a vast, diverse world, as well as anunmatched variety of weapons and enemies to face. To keep the experience fresh for longtime players, essential mods like the item and enemy randomizers have gained popularity, while the seamless co-op modhas likely played a role in inspiringthe upcomingElden Ring Nightreignspin-off.
Beyond gameplay tweaks, the passionateElden Ringmodding community continues to enhance the game’s technical side. Dozens oftexture and reshade mods elevate the beautyof the Lands Between, while combat-focused mods introduce new weapons, movesets, and animations (some inspired by past FromSoftware titles), offering a near-limitlessvariety of weapons to playwith.
WhileRed Dead Redemption 2may not have as many mods as some other entries above, its passionate PC modding community has still createdthousands of ways to enhancethis open-world experience unlike any other. As the game nears its seventh anniversary, players can find mods that improve realism, refine combat, and elevate graphics.
With its unmatched character interactions, immersive world, and reactive environment, manyRDR2modsfocus on deepening these elements. Popular additions introduce roleplaying mechanics, survival features, and expand the ways players can soak in the vibe of daily life in the Wild West.
