Why is the Restoration mod not a good idea for FO2?
I know people have already answered, but I'll just quickly add:
- Lots of new stuff that's not really integrated into the world, like the EPA. This is an issue because Fo2's internal logic is already a bit wonky, so throwing even more stuff in just makes it feel even more like a theme park.
- The new content kind of sucks. To pick on the EPA again, it's just a bunch of Red Dwarf references (you meet Talkie Toaster and can recruit Cat). It's a real low point, and I'm saying that as someone who really likes Red Dwarf.
- It's been a while since I played it but I'm pretty sure there's a few new weapons that just break the balance entirely, and Fo2's balance is already in tatters.
- Fo2 is already bloated, adding in even more bloat won't make the game more fun. Restoration mod is for people who know the base game inside out and want to add in some new fan content of varying quality for their 30000th playthrough.
- The dialogue is often written in a very obviously different style to the base game. You'll see the new content coming a mile off, and it'll take you out of the game.
The only real advantage to using it for a first-time player is that it adds Sulik's quest into the game, which is conspicuously absent from the original and is just an open plot hook with no resolution.
I get your desire to make the game the most complete version of itself prior to your playthrough, but trust what everyone's saying and go vanilla.