Fallout 2 Restoration Project Updated Installer Options Explained
I’ve spent countless hours playing Fallout 2’s Restoration Project Updated (RPU), exploring every option, tweak, and hidden feature. If you’ve ever stared at the installer wondering what half those checkboxes actually do, you’re not alone. I built this site as a clear, no-nonsense guide to help you make sense of it all. With detailed explanations, screenshots, and side-by-side comparisons, you’ll know exactly how to set up your next Fallout 2 playthrough.
Ammo Damage Formula
Default
This is the vanilla Fallout 2 damage system. After rolling your weapon’s damage, the game applies the ammo’s damage modifier (like ×2 for JHP or ×0.5 for AP), subtracts the target’s Damage Threshold (DT), and then reduces what’s left by Damage Resistance (DR). The problem is that AP ammo suffers because its ×0.5 modifier cuts damage in half before armor is even considered, meaning DT often blocks the shot entirely. This leads to absurd situations where hollow-point ammo (JHP) is deadlier against armored enemies than armor-piercing rounds.
Glovz’s Damage Fix
Glovz’s formula tweaks the original system to make critical hits scale better and slightly improves the way DR interacts with ammo modifiers. AP ammo benefits from these changes and can hold its own in early and mid-game fights. It’s not a total rewrite – DT and DR still play major roles – but the balance feels closer to how Fallout’s weapons were probably intended to work. This option is a good middle ground if you want a familiar Fallout experience with fewer “AP ammo does nothing” moments.
Yet Another Ammo Mod (YAAM)
YAAM completely overhauls the damage system. It introduces a DT modifier for ammo types, meaning AP rounds actively reduce an enemy’s armor DT instead of being throttled by it. DR is also recalculated in a way that makes sense with the new system. The result is AP ammo that finally pierces armor properly, while JHP remains effective against unarmored targets. YAAM also rebalances all ammo types, which adds depth but raises the overall difficulty – enemies with AP ammo now shred unprepared players. If you want a modernized, tactical approach to Fallout 2’s combat, this is the one to pick.
Walk Speed Fix
Can be adjusted post-install in your mods/upu.ini file after installation by editing critters_walk_faster=X.
High FPS
On modern systems, some NPCs (like robots, guards, and certain creatures) still move noticeably slower than others because their walking speed was originally tied to animation timing. The High FPS option enables critters_walk_faster=1, which slightly speeds up their walking animations.
Low FPS
On older systems, the Low FPS option installs an alternative animation sequence optimized for slow systems. This setting ignores the critters_walk_faster=X setting.
Faster Derobing for Goris
Can be adjusted post-install in your mods/upu.ini file after installation by editing goris_derobing_speed=X.
High FPS
On modern systems, Goris’s disrobing animation is slow by default. The High FPS option sets goris_derobing_speed=50, which speeds up the animation significantly. This keeps the visual effect intact while making his combat entrance/exit feel snappier and less repetitive. You can make it even faster by editing the speed to 100 in your upu.ini.
Low FPS
The Low FPS option installs an alternative animation sequence optimized for slow systems. This setting ignores the goris_derobing_speed=X setting.
Sfall QoL Features
Enables a set of modern quality-of-life improvements powered by Sfall (the Fallout 2 engine tweak included in all modern releases).
All of these can be individually adjusted in your ddraw.ini file after installation.
Mouse Enhancements
- Lets you scroll inventory, loot, and barter menus with your mouse wheel (UseScrollWheel=1).
- Binds the middle mouse button to toggle between active inventory items. Default key is B (
MiddleMouse=48).
Expanded Action Points
Expands the interface bar to display all action points instead of capping at the default visual limit (ActionPointsBar=1).
Better Sneak Mode
Does not turn off sneak if you double click to run (DontTurnOffSneakIfYouRun=1).
Auto Caps Balance in Barter
Automatically fills needed caps when you drag them to the trade window (ItemCounterAutoCaps=1).
Numbers in Dialogue
Displays numbers next to dialogue options for easier selection (NumbersInDialogue=1).
Party Member Enhancements
- Party member level up at defined intervals instead of randomly (
PartyMemberNonRandomLevelUp=1). - Shows party members’ level, armor class, and addiction status on the combat control panel (
PartyMemberExtraInfo=1).
Extra Save Slots
Adds additional pages of save slots (ExtraSaveSlots=1).
Processor Idle
Prevents Fallout 2 from using 100% CPU, improving performance on modern systems (ProcessorIdle=1).
Visually Enhanced World Map
Enhances the world map with sharper textures and richer colors, including a blue ocean and varied terrain shades.
Weapon Animations
New Rifle Animations
This swaps out the old static rifle shots for animated ones – now your character will physically aim and fire with weapons like the Sniper Rifle, Hunting Rifle, and others.
New Wakizashi Blade Animations
Adds sweeping, dynamic melee animations when you strike with the wakizashi (yakuza) sword.
Extended Flamer Attack Animations
This enhances the flamethrower visuals, ensuring the flame stream is animated fully from ignition to impact – no more truncated bursts. It also fixes issues if you modify the game speed via sfall.
Alternative Explosions Animations (From Tactics)
This option lifts Fallout Tactics’ more dramatic and visually coherent explosion frames and applies them to Fallout 2.
Talking Head & Voice for Cassidy
Adds a fully animated talking head and voiced dialogue for the potential companion John Cassidy. The voice included with the Restoration Project Updated 2.4.33 is the Joey Bracken version in HQ (44kHz).
Improved Mysterious Stranger
Upgrades the stats and skills for the Mysterious Stranger, who will also show up wearing different types of armor as you level up.
RPU.ini Options
Mutant Armor for Marcus
The armor can be purchased from the merchant outside The Abbey once the location is discovered. The vendor offers it for 3,000 caps, and equipping Marcus with it provides him with greatly improved protection, making him much more viable in later combat encounters.
Kevlar Armor for Dogmeat
Available from Liz, the vendor in Broken Hills’ general store. She’ll sell it for 2,000 caps. Once equipped, Dogmeat gains significant damage resistance, helping him survive much longer against tougher enemies.
Smoking Animation
The smoking animation restores a small piece of cut content where your character occasionally pull out a cigarette and take a puff while standing idle. This is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect gameplay – no stat changes, addiction, or health impact. To trigger the animation, make sure your character has a pack of cigarettes and a lighter in their inventory and either is in one of your active slots.
New Look for Lenny
Replaces Lenny’s original ghoul sprite with an alternative version. This model doesn’t include any running animation, so Lenny will always walk and lag behind. It also lacks the animation sets needed for pistol and SMG use.
RPU installs this by default, so be sure to change lenny_new_look=0 in your mods/rpu.ini to disable it.
New Reno Vault Boxer Outfit
Replaces your regular Vault Dweller sprite with a unique Vault Boxer model during New Reno’s boxing matches.
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