The modern Fallout games are such a memorable set of RPGs that you just can't help but revisit their worlds time and time again. Unfortunately, that also means that you also have to sit through their opening sequences a lot if you want to start a new character. Personally, I'm pretty confident I could get through the entire of Fallout 3's opening blindfolded. Thankfully, if you'd rather skip your time in Vault 101, then a modder has just the thing for you.
Uploaded to by AbbaA♎ltmer (thanks, ), the "You Are Not The Father" mod completely removes all mention of Vault 101 and turns your Dadꦇ into a regular scientist, allowing you to headcanon your own backstory as a mercenary simply wandering the Capital Wasteland. Every single mention of James being your Dad is removed from the game, as is your connection to the Vault.
Instead, your Dad is renamed to "Doctor James Hathaway" and he'll refer to you as an old friend rather than his son. The game's main quest will still have you working with James to kickstart Project Purity, but instead of carrying on the project out of obligation to your father, you're now a hired mercenary who steadily becomes the face of the entire operation. Instead of setting out from the Vault, you'll start the game with a message from James asking for help.
Unfortunately, there is one fairly big catch. Since AbbaAltmer understandably doesn't have acces to Liam Neeson and the original cast of Fallout 3, you will have to play the game without voice-acting if you want to install the mod. It's explained that all of the Dad/Vault 101 stuff is so heavily embedded in the game that vast chunks of dialogue would need to be re-recorded, so the modder has decided to just remove voice acting altogether. Not ideal, but it would be a unique way to experience Fallout 3 again if you're itching for a replay.
And let's be honest, Fallout 3's opening isn't the best. While it compliments the game's themes quite nicely, it's a bit of a chore to get through if you just want to spend some time in the Capital Wasteland. Your choices and relationships with characters besides your own father don't particularly matter in the grand scheme of things, especially after you're kicked out once again when you revisit during the side quest Trouble on the Homefront.
It's an excellent opening for those new to the Fallout series - of which Fallout 3 was likely an entry point for a whole lot of people - as it slowly gets you used to the game's dialogue options, choice-based narrative, and fiddly VATS system. But for those visiting the Capital Wasteland for their umpteenth time, it's a pain to sit through the same events again and again. Thanks to this mod, those players can now create their own backstories and lean deeper into the roleplaying element of the game, albeit at the expense of some voice acting.