Stalker???

I've read a few reviews on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. but I'm uncertain to what type of game this really is. It looks like it might be fun,however is this game similar to the likes of Deux Ex or BioShock? I know this game consists of a fair amount of exploring and I love exploring games to be honest but how are the shooting mechanics compared to other shooters like Half Life 2 or even Crysis? Are they much slower paced or are there a fair good amount of intense action/shooting sequences? I'm a shooter fan and want to know if this is something worth picking up, it's like $30 at my local Walmart.

If I choose to get this game, can any of you recommend me a graphics mod? I've read that there are some mods out there that can make the game look better and I would like to try one or two out. Thank you ahead of time to all those who reply. :)

The Float 32 mod is the best graphics mod...there is also a mod to tie up loose ends and finish quests etc.

The game is a tactical shooter with some RPG stuff thrown in....

It is both slow paced and intense...depends on the sitituation....

One thing that STALKER has that HL2 doesn't have...is a lean option...so no more straffing...

For 30 bucks you can't go wrong...I've seen it even cheaper...

Stop reading this post and go get it...

The Float 32 mod is the best graphics mod...there is also a mod to tie up loose ends and finish quests etc.

The game is a tactical shooter with some RPG stuff thrown in....

It is both slow paced and intense...depends on the sitituation....

One thing that STALKER has that HL2 doesn't have...is a lean option...so no more straffing...

For 30 bucks you can't go wrong...I've seen it even cheaper...

Stop reading this post and go get it...

OgreB

22$ on steam, good buy :)

if you have a powerful machine, STALKER will be an experience up there with Crysis. It's a helluva more fun than Bioshock (prolly the most boring FPS I ever played)humbugdude

It's a great mix of RPG and FPS, I'd definitely get it. I would say don't try and mods till' you get a decent feel of th current graphics, because sometimes it changes the environment.demonz566

it is much more like deus ex than bioshock. it is a shooter. you have to have good aim to do well. and it has an rpg element. you can meet up with certain people and answer questions just like deus ex. and it has an inventory and character attributes like any other rpg. this game is mainly a shooter though. make no mistake about that. you are going to spend most of your time in gun battles in this game.. i recommend you watch my video on this game.. just to get an idea...

click here for the video.

it is much more like deus ex than bioshock. it is a shooter. you have to have good aim to do well. and it has an rpg element. you can meet up with certain people and answer questions just like deus ex. and it has an inventory and character attributes like any other rpg. this game is mainly a shooter though. make no mistake about that. you are going to spend most of your time in gun battles in this game.. i recommend you watch my video on this game.. just to get an idea...

click here for the video.

skyyfox1

I liked Stalker more than both Crysis and Bioshock.RK-Mara

+1

its bugged to hell so patch up-Grits_N_Gravy-

i jst got the game like a couple of days ago.. loving it! but i heard that its best played when both the last official and un-official patches are used!.. that true? or do i just need the official one?

and whats up with graphic mods?? makes the game look prettier or what?

I have not played the game with any patches or mods, but these were my thoughts on the day one retail version:

Pros:

• Large and interesting world to explore
• A fairly long story arc and tons of side missions
• A very organic feeling to the world - enemies don't feel like contrivances that exist simply to stop you
• The opening few hours are very kill or be killed, as you have to scavenge for resources and hunt enemies.
• The gunplay early on is tense and fun

Cons:

• The world is quite linear, and most of what you will explore will just be fields with contrived means of ushering you in particulardirections with radiation and fences
• The English dialogue is awful, there is very little voice acting and most of the side missions are go fetch boy! type things that mostly aren't worth doing
• Some enemy spawns are bugged so you will have the same enemies spawning and respawning at particular spots, and since corpses don't vanish (I think?) it can get pretty ridiculous)
• There is practically an unlimited number of resources available once you have a few missions under your belt
• Once you get a scope, the gunplay degenerates into sniping at range, and you never lose. Aiming is artifically awkward, which makes it frustrating
• RPG elements are weak. You have an inventory and a weight restriction limits you to carrying litte, meaning you'll likely make one choice and stick with it. Your items won't change much throughout the game, artefacts have very specialised uses and it's clear which you do and don't want

S.T.A.L.K.E.R is a great game, but for every thing that's good about it, there's something that's bad about it too. I'd recommend it to anyone, but it is definitely rough around the edges. At least, pre-patch and pre-mods it is. Some of the above may not apply.

[QUOTE="mfsa"]The English dialogue is awful, RedDanDoc

If it was in the native language with subtitles I would feel more immersed. Reading pidgin english did not make me feel immersed. I am the kinda guy who always scoffs at English being used in favour of subtitles. I'd rather hear a real accent and the real language and read subtitles.

[QUOTE="RedDanDoc"][QUOTE="mfsa"]The English dialogue is awful, mfsa

If it was in the native language with subtitles I would feel more immersed. Reading pidgin english did not make me feel immersed. I am the kinda guy who always scoffs at English being used in favour of subtitles. I'd rather hear a real accent and the real language and read subtitles.

I didn't mind the English, but what I did mind is that the conversations between stalkers were not also in English, so I had no clue what they were saying. Your character is supposedly of the same nationality as everyone else, yes? If I am to feel like I am my character, I should be understanding everything he would, but instead I'm left wondering "What's so funny, guys? What'd he say?" everytime a guy cracks a joke to the others.

I think they should have had an option for either all English or all Russian, and a seperate option for subtitles (so those who want English and subtitles wouldn't be left out).

[QUOTE="mfsa"]

[QUOTE="RedDanDoc"][QUOTE="mfsa"]The English dialogue is awful, JP_Russell

If it was in the native language with subtitles I would feel more immersed. Reading pidgin english did not make me feel immersed. I am the kinda guy who always scoffs at English being used in favour of subtitles. I'd rather hear a real accent and the real language and read subtitles.

I didn't mind the English, but what I did mind is that the conversations between stalkers were not also in English, so I had no clue what they were saying. Your character is supposedly of the same nationality as everyone else, yes? If I am to feel like I am my character, I should be understanding everything he would, but instead I'm left wondering "What's so funny, guys? What'd he say?" everytime a guy cracks a joke to the others.

I think they should have had an option for either all English or all Russian, and a seperate option for subtitles (so those who want English and subtitles wouldn't be left out).

Your character isn't supposed to have the same nationality as all other stalkers. Some of the stalkers are crooks from all over Europe. For me the use of languages made it more immersive.

[QUOTE="JP_Russell"][QUOTE="mfsa"]

[QUOTE="RedDanDoc"][QUOTE="mfsa"]The English dialogue is awful, RK-Mara

If it was in the native language with subtitles I would feel more immersed. Reading pidgin english did not make me feel immersed. I am the kinda guy who always scoffs at English being used in favour of subtitles. I'd rather hear a real accent and the real language and read subtitles.

I didn't mind the English, but what I did mind is that the conversations between stalkers were not also in English, so I had no clue what they were saying. Your character is supposedly of the same nationality as everyone else, yes? If I am to feel like I am my character, I should be understanding everything he would, but instead I'm left wondering "What's so funny, guys? What'd he say?" everytime a guy cracks a joke to the others.

I think they should have had an option for either all English or all Russian, and a seperate option for subtitles (so those who want English and subtitles wouldn't be left out).

Your character isn't supposed to have the same nationality as all other stalkers. Some of the stalkers are crooks from all over Europe. For me the use of languages made it more immersive.

The greatest tool of immersion is the language differences. The way the Stalkers interact with eachother is amazing.

EDIT: I also enjoyed Stalker more than Crysis and Bioshock.

[QUOTE="JP_Russell"][QUOTE="mfsa"]

[QUOTE="RedDanDoc"][QUOTE="mfsa"]The English dialogue is awful, RK-Mara

If it was in the native language with subtitles I would feel more immersed. Reading pidgin english did not make me feel immersed. I am the kinda guy who always scoffs at English being used in favour of subtitles. I'd rather hear a real accent and the real language and read subtitles.

I didn't mind the English, but what I did mind is that the conversations between stalkers were not also in English, so I had no clue what they were saying. Your character is supposedly of the same nationality as everyone else, yes? If I am to feel like I am my character, I should be understanding everything he would, but instead I'm left wondering "What's so funny, guys? What'd he say?" everytime a guy cracks a joke to the others.

I think they should have had an option for either all English or all Russian, and a seperate option for subtitles (so those who want English and subtitles wouldn't be left out).

Your character isn't supposed to have the same nationality as all other stalkers. Some of the stalkers are crooks from all over Europe. For me the use of languages made it more immersive.

What I meant is that he should also be a Russian-speaking man, since every other stalker in the game is as well, which means I shouldn't be unknowing of what they're saying to each other in Russian. That is, unless he's the only Frenchman or Spaniard or German in the whole zone or something.

[QUOTE="RK-Mara"][QUOTE="JP_Russell"][QUOTE="mfsa"]

[QUOTE="RedDanDoc"][QUOTE="mfsa"]The English dialogue is awful, JP_Russell

If it was in the native language with subtitles I would feel more immersed. Reading pidgin english did not make me feel immersed. I am the kinda guy who always scoffs at English being used in favour of subtitles. I'd rather hear a real accent and the real language and read subtitles.

I didn't mind the English, but what I did mind is that the conversations between stalkers were not also in English, so I had no clue what they were saying. Your character is supposedly of the same nationality as everyone else, yes? If I am to feel like I am my character, I should be understanding everything he would, but instead I'm left wondering "What's so funny, guys? What'd he say?" everytime a guy cracks a joke to the others.

I think they should have had an option for either all English or all Russian, and a seperate option for subtitles (so those who want English and subtitles wouldn't be left out).

Your character isn't supposed to have the same nationality as all other stalkers. Some of the stalkers are crooks from all over Europe. For me the use of languages made it more immersive.

What I meant is that he should also be a Russian-speaking man, since every other stalker in the game is as well, which means I shouldn't be unknowing of what they're saying to each other in Russian. That is, unless he's the only Frenchman or Spaniard or German in the whole zone or something.

Who said everyone in the Zone is from Russia? Pripyat is not even in Russia. In my opinion they are from all the former Soviet countries, not just Russia.

[QUOTE="JP_Russell"][QUOTE="RK-Mara"][QUOTE="JP_Russell"][QUOTE="mfsa"]

[QUOTE="RedDanDoc"][QUOTE="mfsa"]The English dialogue is awful, RK-Mara

If it was in the native language with subtitles I would feel more immersed. Reading pidgin english did not make me feel immersed. I am the kinda guy who always scoffs at English being used in favour of subtitles. I'd rather hear a real accent and the real language and read subtitles.

I didn't mind the English, but what I did mind is that the conversations between stalkers were not also in English, so I had no clue what they were saying. Your character is supposedly of the same nationality as everyone else, yes? If I am to feel like I am my character, I should be understanding everything he would, but instead I'm left wondering "What's so funny, guys? What'd he say?" everytime a guy cracks a joke to the others.

I think they should have had an option for either all English or all Russian, and a seperate option for subtitles (so those who want English and subtitles wouldn't be left out).

Your character isn't supposed to have the same nationality as all other stalkers. Some of the stalkers are crooks from all over Europe. For me the use of languages made it more immersive.

What I meant is that he should also be a Russian-speaking man, since every other stalker in the game is as well, which means I shouldn't be unknowing of what they're saying to each other in Russian. That is, unless he's the only Frenchman or Spaniard or German in the whole zone or something.

Who said everyone in the Zone is from Russia? Pripyat is not even in Russia. In my opinion they are from all the former Soviet countries, not just Russia.

I didn't say they're all from Russia, I said they all speak Russian. If everyone else does, I doubt my character is the only one who doesn't, so he (and therefore I) should be able to understand them.

Maybe your character is a polish, a romanian, a hungarian, an Ukrainian, an estonian...

Maybe your character is a polish, a romanian, a hungarian, an Ukrainian, an estonian...

Franko_3

Again, it doesn't matter what he is, what matters is what language everyone obviously speaks. Everyone you come across in the zone speaks Russian, and it would be illogical for your character to be the only guy there who does not.

[QUOTE="Franko_3"]

Maybe your character is a polish, a romanian, a hungarian, an Ukrainian, an estonian...

JP_Russell

Again, it doesn't matter what he is, what matters is what language everyone obviously speaks. Everyone you come across in the zone speaks Russian, and it would be illogical for your character to be the only guy there who does not.

So you've heard everyone speaking Russian? I doubt it. And many of the languages sound the same to foreigners.

[QUOTE="JP_Russell"][QUOTE="Franko_3"]

Maybe your character is a polish, a romanian, a hungarian, an Ukrainian, an estonian...

RK-Mara

Again, it doesn't matter what he is, what matters is what language everyone obviously speaks. Everyone you come across in the zone speaks Russian, and it would be illogical for your character to be the only guy there who does not.

So you've heard everyone speaking Russian? I doubt it. And many of the languages sound the same to foreigners.

Russian is a very distinctive and easy to recognize language. But if I'm wrong, if there is any language spoken besides English and Russian in the game, please point me to it.

[QUOTE="RK-Mara"][QUOTE="JP_Russell"][QUOTE="Franko_3"]

Maybe your character is a polish, a romanian, a hungarian, an Ukrainian, an estonian...

JP_Russell

Again, it doesn't matter what he is, what matters is what language everyone obviously speaks. Everyone you come across in the zone speaks Russian, and it would be illogical for your character to be the only guy there who does not.

So you've heard everyone speaking Russian? I doubt it. And many of the languages sound the same to foreigners.

Russian is a very distinctive and easy to recognize language. But if I'm wrong, if there is any language spoken besides English and Russian in the game, please point me to it.

Something is left for imagination. I wonder how you read books. And that's one of the great things about Stalker.

[QUOTE="JP_Russell"][QUOTE="RK-Mara"][QUOTE="JP_Russell"][QUOTE="Franko_3"]

Maybe your character is a polish, a romanian, a hungarian, an Ukrainian, an estonian...

RK-Mara

Again, it doesn't matter what he is, what matters is what language everyone obviously speaks. Everyone you come across in the zone speaks Russian, and it would be illogical for your character to be the only guy there who does not.

So you've heard everyone speaking Russian? I doubt it. And many of the languages sound the same to foreigners.

Russian is a very distinctive and easy to recognize language. But if I'm wrong, if there is any language spoken besides English and Russian in the game, please point me to it.

Something is left for imagination. I wonder how you read books. And that's one of the great things about Stalker.

I don't think the devs intended for us to imagine that there are loads of stalkers of extremely varied ethnicity. They're from many different countries, but mostly from Russian-speaking ones (which makes sense logically, the countries immediately surrounding the zone would be the most drawn toward it as it is more easily accessible). Everyone who speaks English has an accent of Russian influence, and everyone who speaks anything other than English is speaking Russian. Almost every, if not all NPC's can speak both, mostly only speaking English when it is needed or helpful for you as the player to understand them (I.E., when you speak to them in conversations, among other times).

What this comes across as is the devs put Russian dialogue in the game without (the option for) translation of it, without considering that this makes your character appear not native to the area due to everyone using English to communicate with you (as opposed to Russian with English subtitles). The problem with that is that they depict every single other occupant of the zone that you come across (yes, all of them) as being familiar with the customs and native language of the area, so it isn't feasible to assume the devs intended for you to imagine that your character might just not be natively familiar.

(I think) They intended for you to imagine that most everyone, including you, is someone of native familiarity to the zone, and added Russian in NPC conversations to create immersion, but didn't think about the inconsistency and consequential break from immersion it can create since your character, you, do not know what they're saying as you supposedly should (unless you know Russian in real life, but there should be an option for subtitles if you do not). As mfsa pointed out, it would be a nice touch if there was Russian for everything in the game (my opinion is that they should have had an option for this if you so chose).

This is being extremely nit-picky. No, I most certainly do not really care that they (as I believe) made this mistake. It's a very tiny issue and I would hardly mark the game down for it. But the fact remains that I noticed it and went "Well, that's odd. Bummer, looks like a slight discrepancy. Oh well, on to my next quest."

You can always google the translation.Baranga

If you know how to spell Russian words in the first place, sure.

It's enough to google, I quote myself, "stalker translations"

Behold:

It's enough to google, I quote myself, "stalker translations"

Behold:

http://stalker.heroesradio.com/Translations.php

Baranga

Sorry, I thought you meant actually finding a Russian-to-English online translator or something of the like through Google. And that's a nice find, thanks for pointing it out. Still, the issue isn't whether or not I could by some means find out what they're saying myself, it's that the game doesn't provide translations itself, and has inconsistencies as a result. But again, thanks for mentioning that, I'll be sure to check it out.