Bethesda games like Skyrim and Fallout 4 are spoiled for content, thanks to an incredible modding community that has spent years cranking out new material for gamers to try out. These titles are already fan favorites that continue to stand the test of time as icons, but every game gets old after a while, especially after multiple playthroughs.
Mod authors continue to become more ambitious when it comes to their creations, and Project Valkyrie is a prime example. This mod changes the Fallout 4 experience in a big way by providing an entirely new way to play through the game from start to finish. Not only does it add extra content to the game, but it also changes the outcome of events, as well.
What It Does
At first glance, Project Valkyrie appears to be a massive quest mod, but that's not completely accurate. Yes, the mod does offer up a bevy of new quests that add hours of playtime to the existing game, but Project Valkyrie also sits on top of the existing Fallout 4 framework, acting as a sort of mega-sized DLC pack.
The result is a mod that makes a lot of alterations to the base game while still remaining true to the storyline and existing content, and the fact that it tacks on its own material is just icing on the cake. Essentially, Project Valkyrie aims to enhance the Fallout 4 experience for gamers who are either playing for the first time or starting off on their umpteenth run.
Size & Scope
Project Valkyrie adds twenty individual quests to the Fallout 4 base game, and these can change how it ends. This is a major upgrade from the vanilla game's possible endings and paths, and that's no small feat. Players now have the option to affect the inhabitants of the Commonwealth in some pretty significant ways.
Along with the added quest-based content, there's also an assortment of extras including an Institute expansion with new explorable areas, four companions, and extra modules that affect immersion and believability. It may not be the largest mod in terms of file size, but it's certainly sporting some story-based heft.
Alternate Endings
Fallout 4's storyline revolves around four major factions operating within the Commonwealth, those being the Brotherhood of Steel, the Minutemen, the Railroad, and, of course, the infamous Institute. Traditionally, players would have a hard time siding with just one, but that's been done away with in Project Valkyrie.
For the first time, players are capable of brokering peace negotiations between all four factions or taking different paths that will yield drastically different outcomes in the end. For those who have played through Fallout 4 multiple times, this is a welcome addition designed to keep things fresh and interesting.
File Size
At just 57MB, Project Valkyrie is easy to download and install. This is due to the mod drawing largely from in-game assets and those taken from other mods, which are already predefined. The rest is just filler content devised by the mod author for the purpose of fleshing things out a little more. This includes sound files and ancilliary models.
There are several add-ons for the mod as well, including high-quality body meshes and skin textures for the followers, along with brand new music. The use of Fallout 4's existing assets allows Project Valkyrie to function as an expansion of what's already there as opposed to an injection of new materials.
New Companions
Companions are hit or miss in Fallout 4. Some players prefer them, while others like to go it alone without having to worry about anyone else. Thankfully, those who like followers have four new ones to choose from in Project Valkyrie, and they all have their own backstories and motivations.
Valkyrie joins the player after being freed from an asylum, Owen is a nine-year-old kid who can offer up multiple side quests, Sarah participates in an investigation into an assassination plot, and Fiona brings soldier expertise to the front lines. In addition, there are seven vanilla-based companions to choose from, including several synth characters, a Brotherhood scribe, and more.
New Companion Features
The quality of the companions is one thing, but that's just one element of why they're so important to the mod. Each companion plays a vital role in the story-based quests and overall narrative, but they also affect in-world gameplay dynamics, as well.
For instance, companions can act as vendors for quick purchases, and they have their own respective homes they go to when dismissed. They're also much more efficient in combat, which is very important for tactical-based players who don't want to give their position away but would rather have some backup in case things go south.
Top-Notch Voice Acting
One area where many mods fall short is voice acting. It's hard enough to create a mod as it is, much less hunt down great voice acting talent. Still, mod authors can sometimes hit the jackpot when it comes to talent, and Project Valkyrie is a great example of this.
Companions like Valkyrie are voiced by some truly excellent people, and that goes a long, long way in terms of the quality of the overall mod. This doesn't feel like an amateur package stapled onto an A-list game. Rather, it feels like a natural extension that simply didn't make it off the original cutting room floor.
A Focus On The Institute
It's safe to say that the Institute is one of the most important locations in Fallout 4, but it wasn't really taken advantage of in the way gamers might have liked. Thankfully, Project Valkyrie places a lot of focus on the Institute and offers players several ways to deal with it that directly affect the overall storyline.
The mod allows the player to take over the Institute and implement a number of dictatorial changes if so desired. This also opens up new areas within the Institute that were previously inaccessible, which adds a bit of depth and content to an otherwise straightforward area.
Errors & Conflicts
Modding enthusiasts will know that games tend to crash or behave strangely when multiple mods are in use. Sometimes, these issues are completely unnoticeable, while others can affect the game in some pretty noticeable ways. Project Valkyrie is a complex mod, so obviously there will be a few hiccups and issues here and there.
Most errors are commonplace to Fallout 4 whenever two mods are loaded that affect the same space, while others include things like HUD elements conking out randomly, animation problems, or quest markers. The mod page has a section that details the current issues, which will hopefully be fixed in future updates.
Companion Mods
Project Valkyrie is compatible with several other mods created by the authors, including Depravity, Outcasts & Remnants, Settler & Companion Dialogue Overhaul, Commonwealth Bounties, and Diary of a Madman. These mods work in tandem to add approximately 70 hours of extra content to Fallout 4, which is undeniably impressive.
This is great news for those who love the concept of Project Valkyrie and want to build on what's already there. Be sure to check out the mod page for links to these other mods and explanations of what they add to the Fallout 4 experience. It's mods like these that add true replay value to popular A-list games such as this.