S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl

[Harbringer]

yes but the non-linearity comes from the fact that its open and there is a huge multitude of ways to go about business, did you actually play it(completely non fecesioualy, but it just sounded like a word of mouth statement).

 

[Maniacal]

I've played throguh it twice, and it still feels too linear for most of it, although it is a vast improvement. I usually only play the first level, maybe the 2nd one when I feel like a little bit of Crysis.

 

[GoodGame]

There really are a good number of chokepoints that add to cannalized/linearity of it. The fact that you can't jump a three-rung farm fence in places also adds to it. I suppose chopping up the game map into levels was the price for computer performance, but given the degree of atmosphere I suppose it's an ok price to pay. It's definitely a much better game than Doom 3, which was basically a railroad, but it feels more like step up from Far Cry than a true explore everywhere kind of game. Where there is wide-open places to explore, there's usually only some wrecked house/car, some pointless dogs and bandits, and maybe a small reward.

 

[Maniacal]

The end part of the game after Red Forest from Pripyat to the end is despite being bloody huge still linear as there isn't really a lot to find. (Although exploring Pripyat is fun, kind of like exploring around old ruins fun).

Splitting the game areas into different "levels" (which is the wrong word, areas is appropriate) isn't too bad, although it would have been nice to have more than one passageway between most of them and it would be nice to NOT spawn right between two bandits with shotguns at the Cordon to Garbage path early on. STALKER still feels more open than Crysis though, probably in part since the areas are not all lined up in straight path, more like a Hopscotch layout. (The one on the right side of the page).

I disagree that the dogs and bandits are pointless, they feel realistic, and elthough the stashes for the most part are mediocre, they are useful and somewhat more realistic. Although I am comparing both of these to Oblivion in my mind, and Oblivion does not aim for realism.

 

[Harbringer]

I am also comparing to Oblivion, which should be noted, I have been absolutely obsessed with since I first got it two something years ago. But I was more comparing Crysis openness to how games like Halo and COD4 are, COD4 was such a god damn rail, and the cheap "look at me" scripted events certainly didn't help me feel like it wasn't.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Finally I've gotten into this game. I bought it on release day (with the fancy tin case as I was splashing out on Silent Hunter IV as well anyway) but never really played it.

Has some of the same problems (still not quite convinced about the accuracy of my weapons, but I'm adapting pretty well), but the atmosphere in the game is wonderful. It's a pity the next game is out so soon to Spore, or I may have purchased it on release as well.

 

[Maniacal]

Yeah it's really hard to figure out the accuracy for most of the weapons that don't have tracers.

 

[Snerk]

Didnt the weapons have an accuracy rating in the item window? Or perhaps that not enough to get a real feel for it. Anyway the early weapons have pretty lousy accuracy but it gets much better. Specially one sniper rifle that feels very very smooth, dont remember the name of it.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

It's more that I rarely see where my shot has struck (I'm normally looking down the iron sight when firing, which is probably why) which makes it a bit tougher to adjust afterwards and get a feel for the weapon. As you say, simple accuracy ratings isn't enough for me.

The Akm/72 assault rifle is my main weapon though, and I've gotten pretty good with it now. I still haven't gotten rid of my old shotgun though, accuracy be damned, I love some good shotty action

 

[Maniacal]

I dumped the shotgun once I got the fast-shooting AK to keep the weight down. And yeah it is really hard to see where your shot goes, it also does not go straight down the iron sights like in other games, there is some variation (I think). I rarely use my pistol unless i'm spraying ammo at dogs, run out on my main or need to switch quickly. It was nice once I got te Big Ben and the Vintar as they used the same ammo.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

I don't think I've even used my pistol since the first fight. I like the shotgun for close-quarters combat or against dogs and bandits, would be nice to have it sit in the pistol-slot.

Anything I should know about the anomalies? None seem to add anything truly beneficial (some at the start were outright radioactive), so I'm just selling them. I'm guessing I'm supposed to equip a few in order to balance it all out and give bonus' overall, but I haven't come across particularly good ones.

 

[Snerk]

Yeah Vintar, that was the name of the rifle, fantastic weapon. I like to keep a pistol too, but a lightweight one with limited ammo to keep the weight down.

Oh and i love the shotguns too, great fun on the dogs and bloodsuckers.

I guess you mean the artifacts Kan? Most are pretty useless, i just sell them. But a couple of lightblue ones gives you better endurance wich is very handy. Those that lowers radiation are also keepers.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Artifacts, yes. Good to know that someone else is simply using them for profit.

 

[Maniacal]

Most of the early ones are indeed useless. Although the Thorn and other ones that decrease radiation are quite useful, nevermnid the additional increase in bleeding, that's what bandages are for.

BY the end I had 6 artifacts on me, one that increased my health by 600%, -30 radiation (and more bleeding I believe), +30 fire resistence, plus 100+ endruance, and I forget the other two.

 

[Snerk]

Some spesific artifacts are also frequently used in side missions like "get x artifact, return in here, claim reward". The "meat chunk" artifact is one of those. The reward is then higher than if you just sell it, but later in the game i couldn't be arsed with side quest as the same kinds just repeats.

 

[Maniacal]

Yeah, the constant bombardment of "Defend X" or "Wipe out X" was annoying too. I mean how many god damn times are the bandits going to attack the same bunker in the garbage? I defended it at least 10 times. That had to cost them at least 50 bandits if not closer to 100.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Ah, for a brief while I was hoping that my continued actions in clearing bandit areas/defending from attacks might see them become filled with friendly NPC's. Shall ignore that now.

 

[Maniacal]

Ah, for a brief while I was hoping that my continued actions in clearing bandit areas/defending from attacks might see them become filled with friendly NPC's. Shall ignore that now.

Well, actually, some places DO have friendly NPCs arrive after you wipe out the bandits. But they will keep attacknig the bunker almost every time you enter the Garbage.

 

[Stormrage]

I don`t think the Camp missions repeat with the latest patch.. atleast they haven`t been repeating for me..

 

[Maniacal]

I don`t think the Camp missions repeat with the latest patch.. atleast they haven`t been repeating for me..

You're lucky.