Unturned is a free-to-play zombie survival game by Smartly Dressed Games. It was launched back in 2017 and got PS4 and Xbox One ports in 2020. It has simplistic graphics reminiscent of Minecraft, and it's been a lively and often-updated title with a devoted fanbase.
With a devoted fanbase comes a devoted modding scene. Players are quick to alter, customize, and improve the games they enjoy given the time and tools to do so. Unturned has no shortage of modding options. Of the multitude available, here are some of the best Unturned mods players need to try. All mods listed below can be found on the Steam Workshop.
Updated on September 5th, 2021 by Josh Davison: With a player base that continues to show devotion to the title, a developer that encourages modding, and new interesting mods constantly being developed for Unturned, there is always a reason to come back to this game. Unturned mods can range from new clothing, new weapons, and entire new maps--many of which get made official by Smartly Dressed Games. Unturned is a vast game that offers a lot of opportunities for the players to add new things or iron out certain issues. That's why it's always worthwhile to check back in to see what's new on the Steam Workshop for the game.
15 The Katana Pack Slashes Through The Oncoming Zombie Hordes
This Unturned mod brings in a relatively simple yet really cool addition: katanas. These swords, which date back to 1281 in Japan during the invasion by Kublai Khan, are considered the primary weapon of samurai. Anyone who has enjoyed anything from the filmography of Akira Kurosawa to Leonardo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or just the recent Ghost of Tsushima can attest to finding these swords innately cool. As such, it's great to see them added to Unturned.
The Katana Pack comes from modders Eighteendonut and ZethSilver and can be found on the Steam Workshop like the rest of the discussed Unturned mods.
14 Fallout Power Armor Clads The Player In Cold And Deadly Steel
Unturned mods inspired by the Fallout series are fairly commonplace, but each one adds something different and exciting to the Unturned formula. This particular mod adds the eponymous power armor that has become something of a mascot for the Fallout games.
The Fallout Power Armor mod adds several variants of power armor from across the wasteland. It was developed by modder k1lter.
13 Tyrant's Arctic Apparel Keeps You Hot Even When It's Cold
Cold weather environments can be quite a danger across the maps of Unturned, but who says that a player shouldn't look stylish while trying to survive the endless cold of Yukon or Ireland? That's where Tyrant's Arctic Apparel mod comes in.
This mod adds an assortment of downright cool-looking cold weather gear that will keep the player shielded from the cold and looking good while doing it. This mod was developed by Pixel and maniac.gov.
12 Vehicles ++ Improves On The Existing Vehicles In Unturned
Vehicles are a big part of Unturned, as they are the only way a player can traverse some of the vast maps of the game in a relatively short amount of time. It also protects the player, to a point, from the ravenous undead beasts scouring the world in search of a living meal.
The Vehicles++ mod replaces all of the vehicles from the base game with visually and practically improved versions with new features. This is no small undertaking and adds a lot to the base game. This mod comes from user JPepe.
11 Wind Vehicles Drops In Some Sweet New Air And Sea Rides
This is another vehicle-based mod that focuses more on air and sea travel than land. The Wind Vehicles mod by user Tiway adds an assortment of new planes, helicopters, and boats to the world of Unturned, each adding a new and distinct experience to the game.
Being able to fly over or sail away from zombies is a very enticing concept, and it can give the player some breathing room while trying to survive the apocalypse. It may even offer some new ways to fight back.
10 Fiff's Clothes 2 Brings A Touch Of New Vegas
The Fiff's Clothes 2 pack by user Fiffe is a basic clothing mod, and gives the player access to a cool assortment of additional outfits. The clothing appears to be largely inspired by Fallout: New Vegas and other post-apocalyptic videogame franchises.
It's a well-made and all-around nice-looking clothing pack for Unturned. It easily earns a spot on this list for the passion and care that went into making it.
9 Santa's Sleigh and Gifts Delivers A Boxful Of Holiday Cheer
One of the most fun mods is Santa's Sleigh and Gifts by user Nylex. This mod does just what it says; it gives the player Santa Claus' sleigh, reindeer, costume, and gifts. It can also fly, as Santa's sleigh should be able to do.
Despite the Christmas theme, it really doesn't matter what time of year it is. Players can enjoy this mod no matter when they download it. Being able to play Santa Claus in a zombie-infested apocalyptic wasteland is always going to be enjoyable, no matter what the season.
8 New Brunswick
Many of the most impressive mods for Unturned are the map expansions. Modders have consistently put out vast, populated, and carefully crafted maps for the game. Many of these have been officially brought onto the game by developer Nelson Sexton.
New Brunswick, by modder Cesspitsid, isn't one of those few to have been spotlighted by Sexton. However, it is still a massive and impressive map with a large city and an oil rig to explore.
7 Milton State Brings Another Vast New Map To Unturned
Milton State, by users Cyan and Parrawk, is another impressive map addition for Unturned. This vast map offers plenty of cities to explore and vehicles to pilot. It also has hidden locations to hunt down and explore like many of the official Unturned maps.
There is also an updated version of the map called Milton State Reborn by user Tailsru to check out. It's unclear if this was made in cooperation with Cyan and Parrawk (though it did make sure to credit them in the description), but it is another version of Milton State worth checking out.
6 Blacksmithing Mod Inserts New Crafting Mechanics Into The Game
The Blacksmithing Mod by user Dogfood adds a whole new dimension of survival to Unturned. It allows players to mine for ingots and craft weapons and armor from the materials, as well as providing new kinds of furniture to make.
Some might say that this just makes Unturned more like Minecraft. However, the survival mechanics of Unturned are far more focused on combat and endurance than seeing what kind of creations one can make. Unturned's combat focus gives it an identity apart from Mojang's creation, and this mod serves a distinct and enjoyable purpose in the game.