Willow

That's right, after a spate of Star Wars reviews we're going back to the game that this blog started in: New Vegas. Oh, but don't worry, I won't be droning on about someguy2000 or his excellent mods again. No, I've decided to branch out. So here, I present to you, is Willow.

Author: llamaRCA

Willow - A Better Companion Experience

One of the things modders like to do, besides making bleak and depressing quest mods that will make you forsake everything good and happy to be found in life, is to do the exact opposite because the internet is a strange place that is filled with contradictions, overused memes, and cats.

This is Willow. Say hello.

So, Willow. As is stated in the title the aim of this mod is to create a companion better than the vanilla ones, with more functionality and things that she can do. Whereas the vanilla companions have backstories, quests, and an ability they can grant you (as well as a boost to their stats or something similar upon completing their personal quests) they don't offer much else. After that they just wander the Wasteland at your side in silence, occasionally helping you duct tape your shotgun back together or letting you drink what would normally be the suicide note for any normal human liver and only have positive side effects, but Willow does just a little bit more than that.

You will first meet her south of Primm on the road to Mojave Outpost and Nipton, so she's acquired fairly early in the game. She asks for your help getting her things back from a group of raiders and agrees to travel with you if you succeed. The place her items are at is right on the way to Vegas, just a bit south of Novac at the bandit camp there, so simply following the main quest will, for the most part, fulfill her quest requirements.

After that she becomes an official follower with her own companion wheel and everything. Now here is where this better experience comes into play. With Willow, the mod tracks how much she likes you and your relationship changes depending on that value. You can just toss her aside and ignore her, ensuring the two of you never get too close, or talk to her and help her with what she wants done. The more you do the more points with her you get, and eventually you can turn your friendship into... something more. 

More.

You know what I mean.

Bow chikka bow wow.

In case my previous hints were too subtle.

But anyway, once you reach that point, you have the option of remaining friends or going all the way. Willow swings both ways so female characters don't miss out on anything if they don't want to. Either way that choice is final once it has been made, so know what you want before you pick an option.

Willow also isn't indifferent to the political climate of the Mojave (Though thankfully she describes it in less comically large words than I just did). She's a citizen of the New California Republic and would prefer you siding with them. She has no strong opinions on a House or Independent playthrough, but she understandably has a few reservations about throwing in with Caesar's Legion (As all sane people would). But in the end, whichever faction you pick, she'll stay with you all the way. She cares about the player more than the conflict, even if she has her own opinions about it. Which is nice.

You can also train her to be better at combat skills she isn't versed in. She prefers guns, but with the right amount of training she becomes a decent Unarmed fighter, and will also let you borrow her rifle since she doesn't depend on it as much. She'll also do some cooking, helps lower prices during trading, and has a spiffy hat.

She feels a lot more natural than the other companions thanks to these features. She doesn't have the most tragic backstory or the deepest dialogue, but she does exactly what the mod sets out to do: Create a more in depth, better companion experience. If you're going to be wandering through the Mojave any time soon, Willow is a prime candidate to consider having by your side.