IntroductionThere are various mods I use which make San Andreas look visually better, without affecting the atmosphere too much.
I dislike graphics mods which make the game look completely different as it just kills the vibe.
MCNR Modding RulesBefore getting started, I'd like to ensure everyone is clear on the rules regarding game mods when playing on MCNR:
https://mikescnr.com/forum/index.php/topic,20.msg11929.html#msg11929Please do note however, any mods within this topic which are technically against the rules, I will allow as exceptions.
I'm specifically thinking of the mod that re-adds foliage in the desert/country which adds rocks etc. to the ground. These are not at all synced between players and change the game's collision. However, because I want it, I'll allow it
CLEO and ASI loaderTo get started, you'll need CLEO and an ASI loader
https://cleo.li/https://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=21709
Project2DFX & SALodLightsMy main mod which I could not play without is Project2DFX. This mod vastly increases the game's draw distance.
Downloads:
https://www.gtainside.com/en/sanandreas/mods/94069-extreme-draw-distance-for-project-2dfxhttps://github.com/ThirteenAG/III.VC.SA.LimitAdjuster/releasesCONFIG:
Update LimitAdjuster config to these (right-click > Save as) - put in GTA SA folder
https://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/III.VC.SA.LimitAdjuster.inihttps://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/SALodLights.ini
Restore Grass, Sun, Motion BlurThese three mods bring back Grass/Foliage, the sun, and motion blur (when driving fast) from the single player game that are missing from SA-MP.
Grass:
https://gamemodding.com/en/gta-san-andreas/others/68584-samp-grass.htmlSun:
https://gamemodding.com/en/gta-san-andreas/cleo-scripts/69482-rabochee-solnce-v-sa-mp.htmlMotion blur:
https://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=26881
SilentPatchSilentPatch is a must-have for anyone that plays this game. It fixes various issues with the game including crashes, and improves certain game features such as adding animated vehicle parts.
https://gtaforums.com/topic/669045-silentpatch/CONFIG:
Grab my config here (right-click > Save as) - put in GTA SA folder
https://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/SilentPatchSA.inicrashes.asicrashes.asi helps stop game crashes. Does what it says on the tin pretty much...
https://github.com/Whitetigerswt/gtasa_crashfix/releases
SAMPGraphicRestoreIf you use SilentPatch, your parachute texture will be bugged (no texture will show).
To fix this, and other graphical issues, you'll want SAMPGraphicRestore.
https://libertycity.net/files/gta-san-andreas/84236-samp-graphic-restore.html
HD Radar/Map/Iconshttps://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=9182https://gtaforums.com/topic/760829-relsa-radar-icons-hq-remastered/
HD Weapon IconsThis mod makes all the HUD weapon icons much higher quality.
https://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=21062It require a little bit of work with an IMG/TXD editor though.
At some point I may just upload my gta3.img for everyone
HD FontsThis mod makes all the on-screen text much higher quality.
https://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=20217
HD Loading Screenshttps://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=28813Only seems to work in single-player though..
HD Sounds (Uncompressed)Uncompressed versions of audio which sound a lot better. See topic for demo videos.
https://gtaforums.com/topic/957917-sa-uncompressed-sfx-pack/
San Andreas Ambient SoundsThis mod adds ambient sounds all over San Andreas. It really improves the immersion of the game.
https://gtaforums.com/topic/825069-san-andreas-ambient-sounds-saas/
WidescreenFixThis mod fixes widescreen resolution. It also makes the HUD smaller and scaled correctly.
https://github.com/ThirteenAG/WidescreenFixesPack/releases/tag/gtasaPlease see this topic for MCNR-specific instructions for the Widescreen Fix, so that you can adjust the MCNR hud to match:
https://mikescnr.com/forum/index.php/topic,9400.msg44844.html#msg44844Grab my config here (right-click > Save as) - put in GTA SA folder > scripts folder
https://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/GTASA.WidescreenFix.ini
Dwayne Island RadarIf you want Dwayne Island on your radar,
@ChrisAg made a mod for it!
https://mikescnr.com/forum/index.php/topic,9247.msg44184.html#msg44184
BulletholesThis mod adds bullet holes. Simple! Now you can draw dicks on walls.
Download:
https://www.gtainside.com/en/sanandreas/mods/42896-bullet-hole-mod/
GInputAdds better support for game controllers.
https://www.gtagarage.com/mods/show.php?id=24272
Smaller moonMakes the moon look less silly.
https://www.moddb.com/games/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas/addons/new-smaller-moon-texture
High vehicle cameraThis mod makes the camera angle higher in vehicles, like you can do in GTA V.
It makes seeing the road ahead much easier.
https://gamemodding.com/en/gta-san-andreas/cleo-scripts/77662-new-car-camera.htmlI actually modified this to exclude planes, as it made flying under bridges etc. really difficult when the camera is elevated.
Here's my version with planes excluded (right-click > save as):
https://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/ElevatedVehicleCamera.cs
SkyGFXThe main purpose of SkyGFX is to allow graphics from PS2, Xbox 360/PC, and mobile versions of the game to be mixed and matched.
The main reason I use it is to add better vehicle reflections. It's actually using the mobile port of the game for the 'vehicle rendering pipeline'.
Download:
https://gtaforums.com/topic/750681-skygfx-ps2-xbox-and-mobile-graphics-for-pc/CONFIG:
Grab my configs here (right-click > Save as) - put in GTA SA folder's 'scripts' subfolder
https://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/skygfx1.inihttps://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/skygfx2.inihttps://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/skygfx3.inihttps://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/skygfx4.inihttps://mikescnr.com/stuff/Mike/mods/colorcycle.datThose are 4 different graphics settings. skygfx1 will be loaded on game startup, and is the one I use, with the mobile game vehicle reflections. You can switch between the different graphics configs in-game with F10.
Are there any mods that you guys use that you'd recommend I could try?
I do want to possibly look at better weapon sounds and particle effects, but I don't want to change the game too much..