Vortex

Mods can really make a game great, due to the content they add. These modifications can be anything, from new in-game items to better graphics and new gameplay mechanics. However, modding a game can be risky if you do it manually since it involves adding new files to the game's Data folder, sometimes overwriting some of them. The best way to mod a game is through a mod manager and Vortex is certainly a good pick. It supports over 30 games, including the ever-so-popular Fallout and Skyrim, and it makes modding them much easier safer. The best part is that it's fully integrated into Nexus Mods, which means that you can find, download and install a mod with just a few clicks.

Vortex is the legitimate successor of Nexus Mod Manager, which is still available. The software is absolutely free, and it works on all modern Windows systems. It doesn't ask for any special tools or services, but you will have to log into a Nexus Mods account or create a new one if you want to be able to enjoy the program's functionality.

The software's new and improved user interface gives you excellent control over your mods. It consists of several sections, in which you can view your downloads, managed games, the program's settings menu, as well as a rich knowledge base. A dashboard presents a series of quick options, links to video tutorials and other helpful material, and the latest news from the gaming world.

Once you have the program up and running and you're signed into your account, you can explore the Nexus Mods website to discover mods for your games. If you find something of interest, you can download it with Vortex's built-in download manager. The software automatically sorts your downloads by game and it lets you enable the mods instantly, with a single click, though some larger mods take a bit longer. If you don't want to use a mod anymore, you can uninstall it just as easily.

The best part is that, just like Nexus Mod Manager, Vortex is completely safe. It displays your games and mods in a well-organized and efficient manner, so you won't have to do any guesswork, especially if you're managing mods for multiple games. Furthermore, the software automatically creates backups when it's installing a mod. As a result, if you remove a mod, Vortex will bring back all the original files if they got overwritten. Instead of combing the game's directory, trying to figure out which files to remove, you can let the program do it for you in a fraction of the time.

Another feature that makes all mod users happy is Vortex's support for mod profiles. Some mods are not compatible with each other, so you won't be able to use them both at the same time in your game. If you have more than one ideal selection of mods, that go great together, you can save them as profiles and switch between on the fly. The program will replace the necessary files for you, without damaging anything.

Modding a game is great, but modding them with Vortex is even better, thanks to its smart design and functionality.