Growing up in the 2000s, I was given a massive selection of incredible console games to play, but the games that have really stuck with me were the ones I played on PC. Just as PC gaming has evolved from the beefy, disk-filled boxes of yesteryear into an all-digital future, the systems that these games were originally optimized for are long gone. But many of the games I loved as a young gamer have been kept alive via the extensive and talented communities of modders who breathe new life into these modern classics.

OpenMW for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind by Bethesda Softworks

Bethesda Softwork’s games, especially those in The Elder Scrolls series, have some of the most dedicated modding communities in gaming. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has some incredibly well-known mods, including one that turns the dragons into the famous children's cartoon character, Thomas the Tank Engine.

But one of my personal favorites is OpenMW, a full overhaul, engine re-design, and entirely fanmade conversion of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. This mod brings a beautiful new shine to the entrancing world of Morrowind, which came before the game that helped catapult the series into the mainstream, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Morrowind has always sported brilliant design elements and rewarding gameplay, and thanks to OpenMW, it’s easily enjoyable in 2022!

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is available on PC via Steam, and OpenMW is available via their website.

SWAT: Elite Force for SWAT 4: Gold Edition by Irrational Games

With a current run of tactical shooters coming out on PC such as Squad, Zero Hour, and, my personal favorite, Ready or Not (which is heavily inspired by SWAT 4), the time has never been better to revisit one of the genre’s landmark games: SWAT 4: Gold Edition. SWAT: Elite Force takes this title’s already exceptional AI and makes it even better by adding more guns and customizable parts. It even alters the game’s original code to increase the difficulty by further blurring the line between suspect and civilian. Along with these gameplay changes, the mod gives players access to new missions not included in the original release and makes it possible to play online again. 

SWAT 4: Gold Edition, which includes the base game and its expansion, The Stetchkov Syndicate, is available on PC via GOG. SWAT: Elite Force is available via ModDB.

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 Remaster for STAR WARS Battlefront 2 by Pandemic Studios

I think you would be hardpressed to find any avid, PC gamer who doesn’t have fond memories of 2005’s Star Wars: Battlefront 2. The game was a couch multiplayer mainstay in my friend group when we were young, and the game still finds its way into casual conversation all the time. Fortunately, an awesome modder by the name of Harrisonfog has put an immense amount of time into upgrading the game, remastering its multiplayer maps and campaign, and hosting dedicated, conquest servers for the game. When I play the game today, it looks like exactly how 10-year-old me felt it looked. The space battles in particular stand out as especially beautiful while flying high above the planets below. 

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is available on PC via Steam, and Star Wars: Battlefront 2 Remaster is available via ModDB.

Moguri Mod for Final Fantasy IX by Square Enix

Final Fantasy IX is a great entry in the Final Fantasy series and stands as the final entry to use the classic top-down format the games were known for before transitioning to a fully, 3D art style. But, as good as the game might be, gaming hardware at the time didn’t quite have the power needed to run it flawlessly. The nostalgia we have for games we played two decades ago can blind us to how poorly some of these titles have aged over the years.

Fortunately, another dedicated modding community has taken the time to make a great game even better. The Moguri Mod brings a huge visual overhaul to the PC version of Final Fantasy IX, adding beautiful, high-resolution textures that the original PlayStation could never support. It also adds high-definition textures, 30 fps FMV, and support for widescreen setups. 

Final Fantasy IX is available on PC via Steam, and Moguri Mod is available via its own website.

Mods have been an integral part of PC gaming for decades now, and they’ll likely grow even more vital in the future. While mods can make our classic favorites run better on today’s hardware, they’re a bastion for creativity too, with some mods turning into beloved, household names such as Counter-Strike or Garry’s Mod. I’m excited to see what the future of modding holds!