Experience of a lifetime
This is truly an experience of a lifetime. As I was playing, I frequently noticed that my jaw was open - much like those brain dead 14-year old zombie kids playing Modern warfare and such all day long.
I haven't read the book, but definitely should now.
Im extremely happy that I can actually play this game in the original, in Russian language, since I speak it. And I recomment it to anyone wanting to experience the game in its purest form, of course the English subtitles can be enabled.
What else? well the specs pretty much kick your a$$. Games like these demand respect. This isnt the 6 year old STALKER engine however, but it delivers. All I need is a GTX 480 which only comes out on March 26 - this game "recommends" that you play it with that card!
The sound is awesome, you can hear the distant growlings of the beasties as well as some distant firefights. However, the main character seems so talkative in loading screens, however he is a total mute in cut scenes and dialogue in general - I hate that in games. One of the very few games that actually pulled off character development with simple dialogue or monologue from the main character is Max Payne 1 and 2. Is it really that hard?
The graphics - well, I believe that with the exception of facial textures, the graphics are actually better than in Crysis, but I could be wrong
The gameplay - feels a bit consolish, especially the movement of the gun, you'll know what I mean. I also wished to see bigger maps and do more exploring.
No check points - which is a good thing, makes your life harder.
The AI - could use a little work. The beasties are pretty easy to kill. I finished the game on the hardest difficulty and did not find much trouble killing every beastie even when the ammo ran out. I sometimes found myself running around the beasties and slashing them with a knife - it doesn't always help, but its useful to conserve as much ammo as possible
Playing in 3D - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Go NVIDIA
The story - nearly perfect with some good twists, with the exception of *****SPOILER ALERT******
-ghosts- yeah, there are "ghosts" in the game. Come on....there are no ghosts
I really hope that they make a similar game like this in the near future. I cant believe that I beat it already.
a word of advice, do NOT rush through this game, feel every meter of the tunnels, listen to every sound, enjoy every texture and bit of a dialogue, and see your jaw drop...
what I did find a bit annoying is how much the actual book was advertised in the game - you'll know what I mean.
It's also pretty wierd why gamers who like and dislike the game say that the game is too linear. I said that too, just as a matter of fact, but aren't 90% of FPS games are linear? why should this one be the exception? All of Call of Duty games are linear, but no one is complaining about that.
The minor minuses are:
-You play as a mute character
-You cast no shadow and you have no legs so you are just a couple of arms floating around
-The bodies of the down enemies and monsters disappear quickly thus ruining the immersion.
-More NPC models are needed
btw. I have recognized at least two voices from the dudes who are doing a voiceover for many stalkers in STALKER :)
Get this game, and keep it.