Free lighting effects mod

Realistic Lighting Overhaul, or RLO, is a free light-enhancement mod for Skyrim Special Edition that improves how the various light elements appear in the game. It also adds new features, such as the Dwemer Lighting Technology, while retaining your FPS without any losses. Similar mods include Luminosity Lighting Overhaul – The Cathedral Concept, Enhanced Lights and FX, and Realistic Lighting Overhaul Interiors.

While there are no strict requirements to install this add-on, you’ll find plenty of other mods using it in their features. There’s no post-processing, which means your game won’t suffer performance issues. It doesn’t lighten dark areas but merely makes the various light elements more realistic. If you’re looking for other overhaul mods, you can try Marriage Mod – To Have And To Hold and Sacrosanct – Vampires of Skyrim.

Improved lighting

Although Skyrim launched with pretty decent lighting, Realistic Lighting Overhaul aims to provide better luminosity in several areas of the world. You’ll see better effects, while the light cast on objects appears stunning. 

It adds a surreal effect in certain areas, especially when deep in the dungeons where you’ll find some candles and torches. There’s also a sheen on some items that’s hard to miss, cast by the new lighting effect.

Realistic effects

The aim of Realistic Lighting Overhaul is to make the lighting look more realistic. Since it’s been more than a decade since Skyrim was developed, the old creation system and engine are outdated, and newer games look better. With this mod, you can enhance how the light looks and reacts to items.

A touch of darkness

The one aspect of Realistic Lighting Overhaul that gamers may not appreciate is how much darker areas are that lack any form of ambient light. When you travel through caves with no torches, you’ll be cast in complete darkness, hoping you’re still walking the right way. You’ll need to use your Magelight resource in these instances if you don’t have any other option.

The light at the end of the cave

Realistic Lighting Overhaul is incredible at adding atmosphere to areas where there’s light, and you’ll wander alone in the darkness where there isn’t. It adds an aspect of realism to the game if you want a more surreal effect.