Top Open-World PC Games for Endless Modding Fun

Summary

One of the greatest advantages of PC gaming, beyond adjustable graphics settings, is access to a vast library of mods catering to every preference.
Bethesda’s open-world RPGs, such as Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, rank among the most mod-friendly games, boasting unparalleled modding support.
CD Projekt Red’s open-world RPGs, such as The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, have also fostered a thriving modding community with robust support.

One of the biggest perks of playing on PC, besides flexible graphics settings and 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 the best open-world games with thriving modding communities (sorted by the number of mods available), using the Nexus website as 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 as Oblivion, Fallout 3, and Morrowind, are excluded in favor of their modern counterparts.

1. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition

Over 100,000 Mods With Over 4 Billion Downloads

When it comes to modding, Skyrim is 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, Skyrim stands 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 of Skyrim on PC. From new locations, quests, and gameplay mechanics to weapon overhauls, combat improvements, and complete visual makeovers, Skyrim’s modding scene offers limitless possibilities.

Even after all these years, Skyrim remains 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, Skyrim still sees 20,000 to 40,000 daily players on Steam alone, with new mods appearing constantly—a true testament to its lasting popularity and colossal modding potential.

2. Fallout 4

Over 64,000 Mods With Over 1.7 Billion Downloads

When saying that Bethesda’s RPGs have some of the most extensive modding support, Fallout 4 is 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 of Fallout 4’s lasting popularity comes from its deep crafting and building systems, allowing players to reshape the Wasteland however they see fit.

Some of the most popular Fallout 4 mods on PC enhance 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 4 remains a top choice for PC modders.

3. Fallout: New Vegas

Over 36,000 Mods With Over 740 Million Downloads

An older sibling to Fallout 4, Fallout: New Vegas remains 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 with Fallout 3, running on the same Bethesda engine with a few tweaks. Despite its age, new mods for Fallout: New Vegas still appear weekly, keeping the game fresh nearly 15 years after its release.

Given its dated visuals and technical shortcomings, many Fallout: New Vegas mods focus on improving textures, models, vegetation, lighting, and other 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 kept New Vegas alive for years.

4. Cyberpunk 2077

Over 14,000 Mods With Almost 620 Million Downloads

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 as The Witcher 3 in a much shorter time.

Despite its ambition, Cyberpunk 2077 didn’t fully meet expectations for many players, prompting the modding community to step in and address its shortcomings. Given the game’s impressive technology, most CP2077 mods 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.

5. Starfield

Over 10,000 Mods With Over 70 Million Downloads

One of the newest entries on this list, Starfield could never match Skyrim’s success, 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, Starfield has 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 popular Starfield mods include “community patches” that address various shortcomings at once, making the game more exciting and polished, with notably better combat. With Starfield’s deep 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.

6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Over 7,500 Mods With Over 165 Million Downloads

Despite The Witcher 3’s status 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 of covering the essential needs of the majority of players and leaving modders with fewer gaps to fill beyond quality-of-life tweaks and minor rebalances.

Most Witcher 3 mods 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.

7. Elden Ring

Over 5,500 Mods With Over 40 Million Downloads

Universally loved by Soulsborne fans, Elden Ring represents the pinnacle of the open-world Soulslike formula, offering a vast, diverse world, as well as an unmatched 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 mod has likely played a role in inspiring the upcoming Elden Ring Nightreign spin-off.

Beyond gameplay tweaks, the passionate Elden Ring modding community continues to enhance the game’s technical side. Dozens of texture and reshade mods elevate the beauty of the Lands Between, while combat-focused mods introduce new weapons, movesets, and animations (some inspired by past FromSoftware titles), offering a near-limitless variety of weapons to play with.

8. Red Dead Redemption 2

Over 3,700 Mods With Over 40 Million Downloads

While Red Dead Redemption 2 may not have as many mods as some other entries above, its passionate PC modding community has still created thousands of ways to enhance this 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.

In the game Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), mods are created to enhance its standout aspects, such as character interactions, immersive settings, and dynamic environment. Some of the most popular modifications offer role-playing options, survival elements, and expand the ways players can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Wild West lifestyle.

2025-03-17 02:38