Just completed SoC, a few questions. - by zenmaster891
zenmaster891 on 8/3/2009 at 21:03
Well I recently completed the game, and man what an experience. I have to say this is one of the best times I've had playing a game, and also probably the longest. The game just felt so impressively real and visceral. As good as it was though I have a bunch of questions about the latter part of the game. I'm guessing I'm probably an idiot, but certain things confused me.
First of all, concerning Pripyat. The level itself is spectacular of course, but it seemed much shorter than it should have been to me. I think this was possibly because I didn't find the secret lab, so I missed a big chunk of important stuff there, but it all sort of happened by accident. I should ask since there were a lot of stupid little bugs if you were supposed to have a general idea or direction of where that lab might be? I know it was a "secret" lab and no green objective marker was shown on the map. I suspect this was intended but the reason I ask is because there was a corresponding journal entry after finding the stash in the hotel where Marked One says something like "I was given the decoder for the specific door and directions to the lab". Is that just an inconsistency in the diary and what the game actually intended or did i miss something? Also, does this lab have major story components to it? Because I felt like things really weren't tied up at all by the time it was over. Basically I had intended to find this lab before going to the nuclear plant, but circumstances of where I went interfered. This brings me to my next issue.
While I was looking for the lab/exploring Pripyat, I wanted to go see the stadium area but I didn't want to leave the level yet. When I approached that top area of the map I was taken out of the game momentarily and the game sort of scanned across the level and some stuff happened and then all of a sudden it loaded to Chernobyl NPP. Was this intended? Or some sort of weird bug? It seemed sort of strange like there was quite a bit of level there that I didn't get to play. Anyways I just decided to play on and Chernobyl NPP was really fun and challenging but again it seemed really short. The ending was cool, but it left me with a lot of questions. I think I remember hearing that there were a few endings, but I can't remember if thats correct or how many.
The main issue I have was maybe tied up awhile ago and I just wasn't sure. When I went to meet the Doctor in Strelok's hiding place I was confused by that entire sequence. He was referring to ME as Strelok right? So I figured that I was him apparently but again I found it strange that despite having a personal diary entry after EVERY major event in the game up until that point my character is somehow un-phased at this discovery and makes no mention of it. Then I sort of went with it and was expecting to figure out why my PDA says "Kill Strelok" and have the loose ends tied up but never got an answer.
Sorry this is so long, obviously I need to go back and do some investigating myself, but I was hoping you guys would have a few answers for this stuff. Am I encountering some weird bugs or just being really oblivious to some major things? I'm guessing the secret lab is a big part of it so I'll go and find that. I'm usually pretty meticulous in how I play games regarding making sure I get the story and all the little details so I'm at a loss here. I still think the game was great as an experience but clearly I've missed some important stuff. Any insight you have would be appreciated.
D'Arcy on 8/3/2009 at 21:13
The lab is inside the Chernobyl NPP. If you didn't find it, it means you missed the 'true' ending, a good part of the game, which includes answers to some of your questions, and explanations to some other doubts that you might have. Plus, a 'tour' of the Chernobyl NPP :)
You can enter the stadium via a side entrance. Avoid the main entrance and you won't have the problem of being taken to the NPP.
And yes, you are Strelok, and like I said, the conversation you have when you get the game's 'true' ending will explain why you don't know you're him.
zenmaster891 on 8/3/2009 at 22:01
Ok thanks for the info. I originally had the thought that the lab could be in or around Chernobyl NPP, but with the way the level was less open and a little more linear and combat oriented I had second guessed that. I will keep my eyes open this time, but it sounds like my main problem is just not getting to that lab. Also is there an explanation then for why you sort of get "sucked" right to Chernobyl from the main entrance to the stadium as opposed to the side one? Is it an anomaly or something or just a weird game design?
242 on 8/3/2009 at 22:23
Quote Posted by zenmaster891
I should ask since there were a lot of stupid little bugs if you were supposed to have a general idea or direction of where that lab might be?
Yes, AFAIR it's mentioned somewhere that the the lab is
somewhere in the NPP undergrounds.
Quote:
I suspect this was intended but the reason I ask is because there was a corresponding journal entry after finding the stash in the hotel where Marked One says something like "I was given the decoder for the specific door
and directions to the lab". Is that just an inconsistency in the diary and what the game actually intended or did i miss something?
See above, you missed a bit of info about whereabouts of the lab.
Quote:
Also, does this lab have major story components to it?
Yes, very major. Also, huge, linear but beutiful bonus level after it, and one of the two true endings.
Quote:
While I was looking for the lab/exploring Pripyat, I wanted to go see the stadium area but I didn't want to leave the level yet. When I approached that top area of the map I was taken out of the game momentarily and the game sort of scanned across the level and some stuff happened and then all of a sudden it loaded to Chernobyl NPP. Was this intended?
It was intended, don't enter the Stadium via central entrance if you don't want to leave Pripyat yet.
Quote:
I think I remember hearing that there were a few endings, but I can't remember if thats correct or how many.
5 "false" ones, and 2 "true".
zenmaster891 on 9/3/2009 at 23:23
Ahh I went back and found what I missed. I feel sorta foolish as it wasn't particularly well hidden or anything but I just went by the end too quickly at first. The secret lab and playing through the bit by the stadium in Pripyat definitely made the game seem more complete in terms of the length of the last couple areas, not to mention how MUCH more complete the game feels now with the "true" endings. The "tour" is really fun too if just to see the full level itself, and the combat was great too. I preferred that ending anyway just on general principle.
I definitely need to go and get Clear Sky now. Is it even as close to as good as SoC? I've heard some good things and I would think any revisiting of the zone would be worth it, but it seems like I've heard A LOT of complaints and issues with it too.
Anyways, thanks for the help/tips! :thumb:
D'Arcy on 10/3/2009 at 01:19
Clear Sky is nice, but I honestly like Shadow of Chernobyl a lot more. That's why I'm currently replaying it (maybe for the 10th time or so).
kidmystik101 on 10/3/2009 at 06:33
Yeah, to be honest SoC is so much better than CS, especially with it's established mod base.
Muzman on 10/3/2009 at 06:54
I'd love some sort of hybrid game. Factions, weapon modding, AI and Swamps from CS with everything else from SoC (AMK style).
Jason Moyer on 10/3/2009 at 16:27
Wasn't the 1.1 patch supposed to add that stuff? Or has that been abandoned?
D'Arcy on 10/3/2009 at 16:28
I'm starting to think that patch 1.1 is the new bow upgrade.
