Topic: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

[Sir_Stabbalot]

I'm surprised no one's made a thread about this game yet.

Basically, it takes place in a world where in 2006 a second explosion occurred at Chernobyl, creating an area known as "The Zone",where serious mutations in plants and animals occur, with even the bare laws of physics affected sometimes. However, the amount of radiation can sometimes affect items throughout the zone with mysterious properties, turning them into artifact sought over the black market for millions. A few people known as Stalkers live in the Zone, looking to find these hugely valuable objects at their own risk.

In game terms, you play as a Stalker in the Zone, and have roughly 10 kilometers to freely explore. The world itself evolves around you, animals will hunt, Stalker clans will fight and quests are created at random. The game is pretty open, you can solve almost any mission many different ways. Pick enemies off from the rooftops, use silenced weapons to remove enemies, or just go in guns blazing. It plays like a FPS, but with many RPG elements. You have to mange your inventory, food, thirst and radiation poisoning. NPC interactions seem deep too.

I'm in love with the Collector's Edition box, too. Link to box.

[Smoke39]

I'm digging how open ended it sounds.  I've been keeping an eye on it.

[oohhboy]

Neat. Looks like it has a lot of promise. Has some one finally found a way to rival Deus Ex? Or is this going to be Crackdown?

[Smoke39]

Crackdown?  Isn't Crackdown more GTA-esque?

[Sir_Stabbalot]

Yeah, Crackdown's definetly more GTA. Lots to explore, but no real depth.

[Smoke39]

STALKER has gone gold.

Also of note there: "[The developers] did hint that an expansion would be likely, but provided no details on when it might come out of what it would include."

[Sir_Stabbalot]

Also, it doesn't seem like the US is getting that awesome collector's edition.

[Smoke39]

What's special about the collector's edition besides the snazzy box?

[Sir_Stabbalot]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smoke39
What's special about the collector's edition besides the snazzy box?

A map of the zone, a survival guide, some exclusive multiplayer maps(?) and a bonus DVD.

Mostly I just wanted the box.

[KDR_11k]

a survival guide

I wonder if that's as useful as the "camouflage guide" that came with my limited edition (cost the same as the standard edition) of Company of Heroes... Perfect descriptions on how to hide tracks, take cover, etc. Except there is no camouflage in CoH and any spotting happens through line of sight to the unit.

[Sir_Stabbalot]

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
a survival guide

I wonder if that's as useful as the "camouflage guide" that came with my limited edition (cost the same as the standard edition) of Company of Heroes... Perfect descriptions on how to hide tracks, take cover, etc. Except there is no camouflage in CoH and any spotting happens through line of sight to the unit.

Really? Expansion pack material, perhaps?

From the few pages of it I've seen, the survival guide seems to just show background information about the world, like the different Stalker Clans, locations, and some tips. Stuff you could find on the website for free.

[KDR_11k]

Really? Expansion pack material, perhaps?

Unlikely, CoH is way too fast paced and tactics-focussed to include the need for properly driving the tanks so they can't be seen by airplanes.

[Smoke39]

IGN has some new videos up.  First time I've seen the game in action.  Combat kinda reminded me of FarCry from the look of it, and the inventory management looks very RPG-esque.  Weapon animations looked a bit odd, which I can forgive, and conversations seem to be primarily text-based with little voice acting, which is kinda disapointing.

[Sir_Stabbalot]

Yeah, I've heard the animations could be better, but it doesn't seem game-breaking.  

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

So I guess people are excited cuz it takes decades to see any horizons expanded for point-n-shootie games?

[Sir_Stabbalot]

Quote
Originally posted by: Professional 666
So I guess people are excited cuz it takes decades to see any horizons expanded for point-n-shootie games?

...For some reason, I can't understand your post.  

[Smoke39]

Just got STALKER in the mail today.  I've only played it for a few hours, but I'm disapointed so far.  All of the jobs I've taken so far have just been "wander around the wilderness, kill something, then come back."  I'm hoping things'll get more interesting as I get deeper into the game.