Summary
- User-created mods bring endless fun to Skyrim on previous-gen consoles, allowing for the addition of virtually anything to the game.
- The Lore-Based Loading Screens mod adds interesting tidbits of lore to the loading screens, enhancing immersion in Skyrim's world.
- The Cutting Room Floor mod brings back cut content from Skyrim, including locations, NPCs, and questlines, expanding the game's content.
The re-release of Skyrim on previous-gen consoles doesn't just make the game look a bit prettier Among Bethesda's quality-of-life changes, support for user-created mods is the most exciting feature in the game. This lets you have a taste of the endless fun PC players have with wild mods that can add virtually anything to Skyrim.
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PostsIf you have neither a gaming-quality PC nor a current-gen console, there are still tons of mods to take advantage of with Skyrim for PS4. We'll take a look at the best of the bunch, but do take the time to check them all out if you can - you might just find something we've overlooked!
Updated January 14, 2024 by Quinton O'Connor: Skyrim's Anniversary Edition has brought it forward to Xbox Series and PS5, sure. But there's still plenty of reason to play on PS4. We've enhanced this list with an eye for detail, and a push to pull it forward to current site standards.
Alas, you won't be able to install as broad a range of mods on PS4 (and PS5) as on Xbox consoles. Sony's limitations prevent a fair number of mods from making the jump to its hardware. Even still, there's plenty to love, as we hope you'll agree with after reading this article!
Lore-Based Loading Screens
image via: Chesko on nexusmodsThis mod by Chesko doesn't affect your gameplay. Rather, it makes the periods where you have to wait for things to load a little more interesting by incorporating fun lore tidbits about the world of Skyrim (and The Elder Scrolls in general).
The pieces of lore were collected from participating members of the Elder Scrolls community, and it's just one example of how mods can bring fans of a work together. With over 160 of these loading screens, you're able to stay immersed in Skyrim's world even while things are being set up behind the scenes.
DLC Integration
image via: Dillonn241 on nexusmodsSkyrim has a few official expansions if you've ever wanted to... well, expand your game's world. They all provide something special to the experience by overhauling aspects of gameplay and even adding entirely new mechanics. But if you have any of these expansions and crave more from them, the DLC Integration mod by Dillonn241 is more than worth looking into.
It has different features for every expansion. For example, Hearthfire gets a lot of food-related additions, including recipes. Meanwhile, Dawnguard and Dragonborn mostly receive changes based on certain loot you find, as well as equipment and items in shops to buy. This mod makes the expansions feel a little more worth it thanks to its tweaks and additions.
Cutting Room Floor
image via: Arthmoor on NexusModsLike other Bethesda titles, Skyrim had tons of material that didn't make it into the official game. However, it can be found in the game files all the same. Cutting Room Floor by Arthmoor brings back that cut content, including locations, NPCs, and questlines.
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PostsThere are mods that add new custom content, but this one reveals official stuff you couldn't access before. There are things like more villages to explore and new items to grab that were previously locked in the game's files. See if you can find the other, smaller additions that were cut from the game too.
Better Combat AI
Exploring areas and meeting new people are nothing without engrossing combat. Better Combat AI by joop improves your experience if you want more engaging action. It makes the AI of NPCs smarter during combat, including animals and other creatures. Different types of NPCs will act differently according to their type or occupation.
For example, predatory animals in groups will attack you more, while they have a higher chance of running away when alone. Human NPCs whose work doesn't usually involve fighting will be less competent in battle than ones who fight often. The realism of the combat AI makes everything much more interesting and immersive.
Even Better Quest Objectives
image via: Williamlmm on nexusmodsSome quests in the game can seem somewhat ambiguous, especially the one about the Stones of Barenziah. The game doesn't even give you general locations to investigate. Instead, it wants you to explore the entire open world and keep your eyes peeled for 24 gemstones that could be anywhere. They could be in a chest or entombed in a dungeon; you name it.
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PostsEven Better Quest Objectives by Williamlmm gives you more detailed quest log prompts that function as hints without giving away the objective's exact location. It's the perfect balance to be found for otherwise tedious quests.
Rich Skyrim Merchants
Ever try to save enough money for the best houses in the game? The quickest way there is to sell all the loot you can carry. Unfortunately, merchants in vanilla Skyrim have a relatively meager sum of gold to trade. This can make your enrichment process incredibly slow.
Rich Skyrim Merchants by EddieTheEagle increases the money held by many NPCs who can sell to you by two, five, or even ten times their normal amount. You can receive plenty of money if you sell them quality goods. The best thing about this mod is its compatibility; you can put it anywhere in your loader if you don't have any other mods that modify merchants' gold.
Cheat Mod
image via: TheRealElianora on bethesda.netOkay, so "cheating" is frowned upon in games, but Cheat Mod by TheRealElianora doesn't use bots to drag down networks. Instead, it enables you to carry and craft various things. It's perfect for if you'd prefer to focus on activities that aren't crafting-related, or if you're just impatient.
The mod sets up the "Warmaiden's Forge" in Whiterun -- a chest with 1,000 of every crafting ingredient you need, plus 100,000 pieces of gold in various strongboxes. If you're wondering how to possibly carry all that, not to worry. The mod also adds a ring that increases your carry limit by 500,000.
Just take care not to include this if you're using the Open Cities mod. It doesn't work!
Rain And Snow FX
image via: Chesko on bethesda.netThis mod by Chesko does not make significant changes to the weather system in the game. It still rains and snows as usual, with prevalent overcast in-game days. However, when your character does happen to get caught in a storm or blizzard, their armor and clothes become visibly wet or frostbitten.
That's a very nice touch, considering that vanilla Skyrim doesn't do anything to make it seem like your gear is exposed to environmental conditions. You could jump in a pool of water and emerge drier than a desert. This mod fixes that, so it's great if you care about amplifying immersion.
Lively Graphics Overhaul
image via: ImperialAgent1992 on bethesda.netHow can we talk about PlayStation 4 Skyrim mods without considering the Lively Graphics Overhaul mod by ImperialAgent1992? The most downloaded graphics mod on the Sony console only needed one version to be successful.
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PostsThe mod itself is straightforward, explaining why it only has one version under its belt. It makes the game less dark and gloomy and brings out some color in all the scenes you enjoy. Sounds simple, but you'll be surprised how much of a difference it makes if you try it out.
