S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

Eichhörnchen · 09-05-14, 12:45 PM

Has anyone else played this? Did you have to wear a nappy (diaper) while playing it?

Schroeder · 09-05-14, 02:21 PM

I played Shadow of Chernobyl. It is a good game. Not totally outstanding but worth the money.
I didn't find it to be that scary either so no need to stock up on underpants.

Egan · 09-05-14, 02:46 PM

It's imperfect, it feels a bit unfinished and there are elements of it which are boringly repetitive but it is one of my favourite games of all time. I love it to bits. The atmosphere is pretty much unmatched, I think. I like the sequels too but the first one is my favourite.

CCIP · 09-05-14, 09:58 PM

If you need a nappy while playing S.T.A.L.K.E.R., then you probably need a catheter, colostomy bag and a feeding tube to play the Misery mod for Call of Pripyat

Red October1984 · 09-05-14, 10:35 PM

I got nearly to the end of the first STALKER game and then a bug ruined it for me. I been meaning to get back into them for a while but here lately i've been sooo busy. Don't even have the weekends off anymore with fall baseball and work.

Anyway, good games...bugs suck...if you can mod or patch them out, (which i'm sure you can) go for it. You'll have fun.

Flamebatter90 · 09-06-14, 02:36 AM

They are OK games. The combat sucks though, it's almost like Morrowind's combat, except you won't get better at it over time. Install some mods and you will enjoy the games more.

Eichhörnchen · 09-06-14, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egan

It's imperfect, it feels a bit unfinished and there are elements of it which are boringly repetitive but it is one of my favourite games of all time. I love it too bits. The atmosphere is pretty much unmatched, I think. I like the sequels too but the first one is my favourite.

I've heard a lot of people say similar things about the first game, that despite its unfinished feel it's the best one and I agree so far. I believe they were aiming to achieve what was described as a "seamless, open world", but development had taken so long they had to abandon that concept. I've only just started into "Call of Pripyat" but it feels quite different from the first game.

They both run fine on my pc but I cannot get "Clear Sky" to run at all, so I don't know which of the other two this most resembles.

I was only into WW2 shooters when I chanced upon the Stalker disc on a charity stall. It immediately broadened my gaming horizons.

CCIP · 09-06-14, 10:13 AM

I think all three are worth playing. I thought Clear Sky was the weakest of the three, mostly because it never makes that much use of some of its more interesting features (faction war etc.), came out a bit more buggy, and of all the games is the quickest to force you down a linear kind of endgame path. Try as they might, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games were always the weakest in their linear parts (except maybe the X-labs which were and always will be scary as heck), and best in the open world. My best experience with the game by far has been in the Misery mod for CoP, though even I'll be first to admit that it's not everyone's cup of tea and is possibly too hardcore. Then again, you could say that about S.T.A.L.K.E.R. in general - it's not something that works for everybody.

Otherwise, I think it's a testament to the game's strength and concept that after so many years there is still an active, loyal and shamelessly hardcore following for it, and mods are still being made and improved. I think one of the draws of the game is that it's really pretty uncompromising and pretends that the last decade or so of 1st person shooters never happened. It's mercilessly hard, and it tells you nothing. There's no "run here! shoot this! HEADSHOT! achievement unlocked!" and it always explains very little about the zone, how it works, who your enemies are, or how to beat them. It doesn't tell you where the entertainment is, and in fact, does nothing to promise you fun. The zone runs by its own rules, but it's not going to tell you those. When it tries to explain, it does so kind of poorly, but in a way that actually makes it better because it keeps you in suspense. You're left to make sense of it and survive on your own, and it's really easy to screw up. Almost any time that you squeeze the trigger in S.T.A.L.K.E.R., you don't really know what's gonna happen. The gunfights in it are a million times more interesting than in any "modern" single-player shooter. The game world is more merciless and more immersive. And I think that's what keeps a certain group of players always coming back for more

Eichhörnchen · 09-06-14, 12:51 PM

Thanks for the CoP mod tip. I hadn't so far seriously considered searching these out: so often I've found that patching can undermine a previously smooth-running game, but I don't know whether this goes for "mods" as well (forgive my ignorance but it's still pretty new territory for me).

Yes, the sense of place is absolutely unique in this game and you sum it up well. It kind of puts me in mind of a smashed country following WW2; you just move through a gloomy, desolate landscape, with the occasional glimpse a lonely figure going about their own grim business. Why the appeal, then? It's an enigmatic game, for sure...

Eichhörnchen · 05-08-17, 03:43 PM

Well... just about, but I'm going to wait for the mega one-stop download. How can they just be giving this away???

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/201...-cut-released/

Giesemaschine · 05-21-17, 11:51 PM

Nice! I'm also awaiting the much-anticipated "Ray of Hope" co-op multiplayer mod. Surviving the Zone with friends is something I've always wanted to do. Will have to get the game reinstalled for Lost Alpha again.

Eichhörnchen · 05-23-17, 12:11 PM

Have a read of this then:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...yl_s_dead.html

Eichhörnchen · 05-24-17, 05:06 AM

Yes it's the old "Please insert original disc" issue again. I see lots of others have had this message after installing a retail disc, basically saying "We've decided you're a crook, but never mind cos we've had your money" but I won't waste time ranting here as there've been plenty of others doing that.

I've concluded from what I've read that it's likely the "Tages" anti-emulation software preventing the game starting. It's no help when people say "Oh just download it from 'Steam'" (I definitely have to fight off the urge to rant at this point). Some of us still like to play from discs offline, okay? We DON'T WANT STEAM!

One suggestion of course was to try Compatibility Mode... no luck.

Another was to run as Administrator... no luck.

Another was to patch, so I downloaded and ran the patch (including drivers) for my retail version... same outcome.

Remove 'Tages' was another, but that means (if I understand correctly) that my other games which use it but run okay, might not unless I reinstall. I'm not buggering about like that... I want what I paid for... the bloody game on the disc!

propbeanie · 05-24-17, 06:36 AM

On their website Eichhörnchen, they've got a blurb about apologizing for sending incorrect CD keys to folks, but I can't tell if that's the Steam versions only, or for all of them...

I don't suppose you can say yet whether the game is any good or not?

Eichhörnchen · 05-24-17, 06:55 AM

That's interesting... I'll have a look. Not expecting much, however, since this issue has been ongoing since way back and not just with this game.

As for whether it's any good, 'Clear Sky' is generally not rated as highly as 'Call of Pripyat' or the original Stalker game, but I bought it so I want to try it. There are mods-a-plenty for these games I know, but first things first

09-05-14, 12:45 PM	#1
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 15,740 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Has anyone else played this? Did you have to wear a nappy (diaper) while playing it?

09-05-14, 02:21 PM	#2
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	I played Shadow of Chernobyl. It is a good game. Not totally outstanding but worth the money. I didn't find it to be that scary either so no need to stock up on underpants. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

09-05-14, 02:46 PM	#3
Egan Admiral Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,019 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	It's imperfect, it feels a bit unfinished and there are elements of it which are boringly repetitive but it is one of my favourite games of all time. I love it to bits. The atmosphere is pretty much unmatched, I think. I like the sequels too but the first one is my favourite. Last edited by Egan; 09-06-14 at 06:52 PM.

09-05-14, 09:58 PM	#4
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	If you need a nappy while playing S.T.A.L.K.E.R., then you probably need a catheter, colostomy bag and a feeding tube to play the Misery mod for Call of Pripyat __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

09-05-14, 10:35 PM	#5
Red October1984 Airplane Nerd Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 6,241 Downloads: 115 Uploads: 0	I got nearly to the end of the first STALKER game and then a bug ruined it for me. I been meaning to get back into them for a while but here lately i've been sooo busy. Don't even have the weekends off anymore with fall baseball and work. Anyway, good games...bugs suck...if you can mod or patch them out, (which i'm sure you can) go for it. You'll have fun. __________________

09-06-14, 02:36 AM	#6
Flamebatter90 Medic Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 167 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	They are OK games. The combat sucks though, it's almost like Morrowind's combat, except you won't get better at it over time. Install some mods and you will enjoy the games more.

09-06-14, 10:13 AM	#8
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	I think all three are worth playing. I thought Clear Sky was the weakest of the three, mostly because it never makes that much use of some of its more interesting features (faction war etc.), came out a bit more buggy, and of all the games is the quickest to force you down a linear kind of endgame path. Try as they might, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games were always the weakest in their linear parts (except maybe the X-labs which were and always will be scary as heck), and best in the open world. My best experience with the game by far has been in the Misery mod for CoP, though even I'll be first to admit that it's not everyone's cup of tea and is possibly too hardcore. Then again, you could say that about S.T.A.L.K.E.R. in general - it's not something that works for everybody. Otherwise, I think it's a testament to the game's strength and concept that after so many years there is still an active, loyal and shamelessly hardcore following for it, and mods are still being made and improved. I think one of the draws of the game is that it's really pretty uncompromising and pretends that the last decade or so of 1st person shooters never happened. It's mercilessly hard, and it tells you nothing. There's no "run here! shoot this! HEADSHOT! achievement unlocked!" and it always explains very little about the zone, how it works, who your enemies are, or how to beat them. It doesn't tell you where the entertainment is, and in fact, does nothing to promise you fun. The zone runs by its own rules, but it's not going to tell you those. When it tries to explain, it does so kind of poorly, but in a way that actually makes it better because it keeps you in suspense. You're left to make sense of it and survive on your own, and it's really easy to screw up. Almost any time that you squeeze the trigger in S.T.A.L.K.E.R., you don't really know what's gonna happen. The gunfights in it are a million times more interesting than in any "modern" single-player shooter. The game world is more merciless and more immersive. And I think that's what keeps a certain group of players always coming back for more __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

09-06-14, 12:51 PM	#9
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 15,740 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the CoP mod tip. I hadn't so far seriously considered searching these out: so often I've found that patching can undermine a previously smooth-running game, but I don't know whether this goes for "mods" as well (forgive my ignorance but it's still pretty new territory for me). Yes, the sense of place is absolutely unique in this game and you sum it up well. It kind of puts me in mind of a smashed country following WW2; you just move through a gloomy, desolate landscape, with the occasional glimpse a lonely figure going about their own grim business. Why the appeal, then? It's an enigmatic game, for sure... Last edited by Eichhörnchen; 09-06-14 at 06:03 PM.

05-08-17, 03:43 PM	#10
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 15,740 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	S.T.A.L.K.E.R. "Lost Alpha" now ready Well... just about, but I'm going to wait for the mega one-stop download. How can they just be giving this away??? https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/201...-cut-released/ __________________

05-21-17, 11:51 PM	#11
Giesemaschine Bosun Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 62 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 0	Nice! I'm also awaiting the much-anticipated "Ray of Hope" co-op multiplayer mod. Surviving the Zone with friends is something I've always wanted to do. Will have to get the game reinstalled for Lost Alpha again.

05-23-17, 12:11 PM	#12
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 15,740 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Have a read of this then: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...yl_s_dead.html __________________

05-24-17, 05:06 AM	#13
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 15,740 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky problem Yes it's the old "Please insert original disc" issue again. I see lots of others have had this message after installing a retail disc, basically saying "We've decided you're a crook, but never mind cos we've had your money" but I won't waste time ranting here as there've been plenty of others doing that. I've concluded from what I've read that it's likely the "Tages" anti-emulation software preventing the game starting. It's no help when people say "Oh just download it from 'Steam'" (I definitely have to fight off the urge to rant at this point). Some of us still like to play from discs offline, okay? We DON'T WANT STEAM! One suggestion of course was to try Compatibility Mode... no luck. Another was to run as Administrator... no luck. Another was to patch, so I downloaded and ran the patch (including drivers) for my retail version... same outcome. Remove 'Tages' was another, but that means (if I understand correctly) that my other games which use it but run okay, might not unless I reinstall. I'm not buggering about like that... I want what I paid for... the bloody game on the disc! __________________

05-24-17, 06:36 AM	#14
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 9,735 Downloads: 439 Uploads: 2	On their website Eichhörnchen, they've got a blurb about apologizing for sending incorrect CD keys to folks, but I can't tell if that's the Steam versions only, or for all of them... I don't suppose you can say yet whether the game is any good or not? __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayer/s" - Jimbuna

05-24-17, 06:55 AM	#15
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 15,740 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	That's interesting... I'll have a look. Not expecting much, however, since this issue has been ongoing since way back and not just with this game. As for whether it's any good, 'Clear Sky' is generally not rated as highly as 'Call of Pripyat' or the original Stalker game, but I bought it so I want to try it. There are mods-a-plenty for these games I know, but first things first __________________