S.t.a.l.k.e.r. (pc)

[Concept]

I've only played it for half an hour but already I can tell this is something special. It has that leftfield vibe to it.

I initially tried the Gamespot forum config file link Pete linked to but it slowed my system down to about 5fps (CG cinematics included). Deleted that, restarted and was pleasantly surprised to see without any tinkering it's running smoothly and at a good frame-rate at 1280x768, high settings/static lighting. That's enough technical discussion you'll be getting from me...

I'm enjoying the more contemplative pacing to this compared to many of the other first-person titles I've played over the last few months. This is going to be a game that's going to take time to digest.

[chis]

Could someone PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE supply me with a saved game at the beginning of or near

->Open Spoiler<-

the sarcophagus

. I'm there, but the radiation keeps eating away at me, and I run out of rad meds. I really have no desire to go hunting around for the

->Open Spoiler<-

SEVA suit

but I don't want to use a trainer or any cheats...

Edit: Well, someone was kind enough (although not from this forum :P) to provide me with a save. Overall, the immersion and unique atmosphere doesn't make up for the excessive traipsing around earlier on in the game, and the very VERY unreliable combat. But once you find a decent gun, and get into a few close-quarters fights... well, maybe this even beats FEAR.

I still wish there was an MMORPG-style auto-move button, though.

[watusi]

picked this up yesterday, it wouldn't even run until i downloaded the no dvd crack. finally got it running but it runs like a turd on a stick on anything but the most basic of settings. Seems like a good game but its reminded me why I switched to console gaming.

[daveyw]

So far I have found STALKER the most immersive game I have played in ages. Like Oblivion, I have no problem going back and starting again, as I know I'll be able to do things differently, and the AI will act accordingly.
A few frame rate glitches (like in one specific room underground causes the fps to drop to 18-19), but the game feels truly fresh, with the gritty yet excellent graphics seeming like a breath of fresh air after the 'plastic' look of many next gen games.

I can also see elements of Codename Outbreak (also by GSC) in STALKER, especially AI-wise.

It's simply a combination of some my favourite games (Oblivion, OpFlash, Deus Ex), yet completely original at the same time - a pretty mean feat I think.

Well done GSC.

[Fat_Bob]

the combat while at times amazing can be really frustrating. Has anyone else found that you have to pause in between taking out an enemy. For example the first shot will wound em, then you have to wait for the animation to finish before you can register another shot.

This doesn't seem to make sense to me. Overall though it's really intense and exciting, mainly down to the fact that i die a lot.

[Supergoal]

I got this based on everyone's experiences, however I haven't been able to play it! It freezes and crashes everytime the save icon appears in the bottom right..

Totally frustrating and annoying..Grghh

Edit: after reading about I have now found out there ALOT of users with ATI cards like myself who have constant freezes and lock ups. Infact I have a lock with this game every 2 to 3 minutes which is fecking annoying to hell!!

[PeteJ]

Have you got the patch for stalker, apparently resolves many stability issues.

As it happens I'm on an ATI card and not had any problems...although yesterday the framerate went back down to single figures again. I had it running super smooth at almost top detail at the start, and it has been slowing down as I play through, making me knock down the detail a little at a time. I think it has something to do with the bodies not vanishing when you kill them - even in the first area there are dead bodies everywhere.

Funny thing happened though - I was milling about around the Army Warehouse when I came across a flaming barrel with a body stuffed in it. Took a closer look and it was

->Open Spoiler<-

wolf - he who gives you the very first task!

. I'd love to know the series of events that lead to that situation

[Supergoal]

Sounds like you have a memory leak.

As for settings I can't use dynamic lighting even with my PC
C2D 2.44ghz
1Gb Ram
x1950pro

Which makes me wonder how everyone else is doing with it? Once I put static lighting on I get near enough 70+fps with everying almost maxed out. Though I'd love the proper lighting to run

[Supergoal]

After finally resolving peformance issues and starting the game properly. Could someone tell me what is really going in and what I'm supposed to be doing? I feel completely lost and lacking motivation to continue futher.

So far I've reached an abandoned train depot which enclosed within walls and gates.

[PeteJ]

Talk to people and do missions, explore and kill ****

Almost finished this now, made it to the last area.

[Salsa Party Animal]

I will pick it soon. Two questions

What the different between orignal and collection edition (seen it in Game)

and also

deaf friendly ?

[Eight Rooks]

The collector's edition comes in a tin (about the same dimensions as the Gears of War CE, if a bit flimsier) which contains

a map (not much use)
an artbook/extended manual sort of thing (not too bad... nothing that great, but fairly nice)
a bonus DVD: "making of" promo clips, galleries and so on (again, nothing amazing, but there's some neat stuff in there - photos of the Zone itself, comparison shots between game and real life, that kind of thing)
two codes to unlock extra multiplayer stuff (but you don't need to buy the CE to use them, apparently, so they seem a bit pointless)

It's far from the best CE I've ever seen, but most places have it for only a few pounds more.

Deaf-friendly? Practically speaking, I don't think there's anything in there you need to be able to hear to get past (bear in mind I haven't finished the game). I guess the CG sequences aren't subtitled, though most of what they convey is also in your PDA as text files. The fonts can be pretty small, though, and there's a lot of conversation. Plus I don't know what it would be like playing without the ability to hear enemies sneaking up on you... sound design is a big part of this game, that's for sure. Not absolutely essential, though.

[Supergoal]

Need some help..

->Open Spoiler<-

On the mission called "find some information about Strelok in the stash" I found the small room and it cleared the first part of the misson, but now I can't seem to clear this bit. Can anyone remember what they did?

Thanks for any help!

[PeteJ]

Need some help..

->Open Spoiler<-

On the mission called "find some information about Strelok in the stash" I found the small room and it cleared the first part of the misson, but now I can't seem to clear this bit. Can anyone remember what they did?

Thanks for any help!

You mean

->Open Spoiler<-

you haven't found the 'any information in stash' part? I struggled with that too - Face towards the exit of this small room and on the right under a table are some documents. Don't forget to pick up the modified ak47 on the left hand wall on the shelf - the rate of fire is vastly improved and it'll keep you going for a quite a large chunk of the game

I completed the game twice last night with two endings, but I don't think I've reached the proper True ending. Not sure how long this final stretch will last but I'm impressed with the length of the game.

[Supergoal]

Stuck again

->Open Spoiler<-

I'm at the point where I need to get the PSI helmet from the scientist but before that I have to escort someone to get some radiation checks done, problem is I failed the mission because he died and I was told I need to go back to see the scientist, however once I go back to the small lab he is working in, he doesn't come close to the counter for me to talk with him! Thus rendering to a stop the progession of the story! What should I do?