S.T.A.L.K.E.R - Worth buying?

D'Arcy on 9/5/2007 at 21:59

So your main complaints are:

- People speak russian in Ukraine (damn pesky foreigners, who haven't learned to communicate in a civilized language);

- You're unable to get an über weapon right from the start, that could kill everything and everyone in a couple of shots;

- Your character looks like a junkie - guess that if he'd look more like Brad Pitt in the cutscenes, which is really the only place you're actually able to see him, it would make a world of difference... I suppose spending one's time scavenging in a heavily irradiated area should do wonders for one's appearance;

- You run around firing madly and bumping into stuff, and the enemies are able to spot you... have you actually tried playing with both the noise and visibility indicators? Enemies react strongly to those two factors.

- I don't know which ending did you get, but you don't get the russian voice throughout the entire ending levels. It makes some sense that you do get it during that particular part, since the Wish Granter is the C-Consciousness last layer of defence, and its objective is to lure you.

The only part where I'll agree with you is regarding the game's engine. Not that I find the game's look as awful as you say, but I do think that it's too demanding, and people with low end machines won't be able play it decently.

Abysmal on 9/5/2007 at 22:08

Quote Posted by oisin

Abysmal: I'd volunteer to take it off your hands

K, you have dibs 'cause ur first.

Hey wow, thanks a bunch! Wasn't expecting that. See, us grumpy folk can still be swell guys. ;)

I still very badly want to give it a shot, so the details are in the email.

Bjossi on 9/5/2007 at 22:13

Quote Posted by oisin

ID is a company I respect greatly. They don't sell malware DRM infested CDs. They have great games, innovative yet elegant & not too complex. I felt a bit sour about Stalker because I was told it is the next best thing since sliced bread. I just don't want others to feel so disappointed and waste their money.

As far as I know Stalker got pretty colorful reviews. :erm:

As for iD games, I don't really see how you can give Stalker bad points for being monotonous when iD's games like Quake or Doom series get good points.

And to me personally Stalker isn't monotonous at all, plenty of area to run around in, diverse environments; everything from forests to underground laboratories. And not to mention the number of weapons and gameplay elements available to you, such as artifacts, trading, collecting supplies of items (known as packrat).

All of these things make Stalker play like a game with plenty of variations from my point of view. Early on you are just a rookie with a knife and shortly later a pistol, then later in the game you have access to powerful suits and all sorts of assault rifles.

Rogue Keeper on 10/5/2007 at 07:28

Quote Posted by oisin

blah blah blah

Just simply say that you suck in the game, that will be easier. :p

If such infinitely repetitive boredom in generic fantasy world like Morrowind and especially Oblivion is the peak of gaming extasy for you then I don't know.

Of course everyone wants awesome graphics and when they get some, they cry it's not optimized for low-end systems. Typical. Cutting edge technical presentation demands cutting edge hardware - that makes a very good sense. I have quite mediocre gaming system for today and I'm still able to enjoy the game in sufficient beauty. Also thanks to modding community.

242 on 10/5/2007 at 08:17

Quote Posted by oisin

ID is a company I respect greatly. They don't sell malware DRM infested CDs. They have great games, innovative yet elegant & not too complex.

Well, that describes our contradiction very well.

I like Stalker, actually even more than SS2. What I hate are games like Doom3 and Quake4 , I just lost all respect for id recently. Simple shooters with stright-corridor type map design and cartoony oversaturated colors. The only good games they released were Wolfenstein 3D, Doom1/2 and Quake1, but then again the games were great for their time. If you call modern id games innovative we like absolutely different types of gamedesign.

242 on 10/5/2007 at 08:29

Quote Posted by Bjossi

As far as I know Stalker got pretty colorful reviews. :erm:

Yes, average rating is 83% according to gamerankings.com based on 41 media outlets.

For comparison:
Doom3 - 87.6%
System Shock 2 - 92%
Arx Fatalis - 79%
Dark Messiah - 74.4%
Thief3 - 85.2%

So, it's obvious who is right and who is not in this thread.

Rogue Keeper on 10/5/2007 at 08:37

Plus it's very refreshing to play such a different shooter (both in setting and backround story) in flood of games targeted at US audience featuring shallow marine archetypes, cheesy sexual appeals and debilitating schematic dramaturgy.

oisin on 10/5/2007 at 11:01

D'Arcy : So your main complaints are:

- People speak russian in Ukraine

No dude, I don't mind Russian. I mind that the sound engine screams it through the speakers even when the NMEs are miles away. I don't need to hear them whisper.

- You're unable to get an über weapon right from the start

A double barrelled shotgun to the head at point blank ?

- You run around firing madly and bumping into stuff, and the enemies are able to spot you...

I actually don't do that (firing madly). but I gave up trying to sneak through shadows and by buildings after the first level, but I would still try and use silenced weapons and not fire unless necessary. They react the same as Quake 1 NMEs pretty much as far as I can see. If their back is turned to you, they can't see you. Anything else, they shoot at you, from 50m away.

Bjossi : As for iD games, I don't really see how you can give Stalker bad points for being monotonous when iD's games like Quake or Doom series get good points.

Yeah, but when I go to McDonalds I don't ask for Beef Bourginon. I know what to expect with IDs games. Doom3 was pretty revolutionary. I was reading the interview with the guy who lead the development team behind Stalker.. the guy can talk, I'll give him that. I'll never buy another game developed by his company.

BR796164 : ...flood of games targeted at US audience featuring shallow marine archetypes, cheesy sexual appeals and debilitating schematic dramaturgy.

hehe, like Half-Life 2?

But that's all said and done, I posted the game away today, it aint my problem any more. So I'll just humbly step out of this forum.

Thanks for the feedback :angel:

Jashin on 10/5/2007 at 11:27

Sounds like stalker is too slow for you.

For the record: stalker is not just a shooter, there's also fun to be had by exploring and admiring the scenery, sneaking, even avoiding firefight I'd say can be a lot of fun. It's an atmospheric first-person game that involves shooting, roleplaying, and exploring.

Doom3 is a barebones shooter, and not a really good one at all. Its exp pack is somewhat better.

Rogue Keeper on 10/5/2007 at 11:31

Quote Posted by oisin

Doom3 was pretty revolutionary.

See folks, this is what happens when casual gamers lurk around.