STALKER 2 has a release date. September 5th, to be exact. (I don't
know exactly when this was first announced, but it's news to me) but
it's September 5th of this year. That's right around the corner!
I'm not /incredibly/ excited about the game, but I can't say I'm
entirely without interest either. I didn't adore the first STALKER
like did so many others; it was unpolished, its AI didn't live up to
the hype, the difficulty curve was incredibly uneven, and the overall experience was spotty. Still, you could see the brilliance of the game
lying underneath, and even if I didn't really enjoy playing it, I
could admire STALKER for its ambitions. Not to mention its dour,
Slavic mood and setting. "Clear Sky" and "Call of Pripyat" were gave
this original formula a much needed polish; they still had a lot of
rough edges but were more streamlined, more fun experiences overall.
I can't deny that the politics surrounding STALKER 2 aren't
influencing me either. Developed by a Ukranian team, I'd probably buy
the game just to show my support of their struggle in the real world.
That they've actually managed to get the game (nearly) out the door at
all is a miracle (even if most of the actual development is taking
place in Czechia).
That said, from what little I've seen of STALKER 2, I can't say it's
left me very impressed. Sure, it looks prettier, but it also feels
blander. I'm not sure this is entirely the fault of the developers;
the original STALKER stood out because there were few games that did
what it did, were set where it was set. Nowadays, there are dozens of FPS/survival games that ape the original's formula, and the sequel
lacks that feeling of novelty because of it. But overall, watching the STALKER 2 trailers, I'm reminded a lot more of "Call of Duty" than its predecessors.
I'll still get the game, though; I'll still play the sequel. Given the real-life situation, I may even break my own rule and buy the game day
one.
Anyway, it's only a month (and a little bit) to go. After twelve
years, what's a few more weeks?
On 25/07/2024 16:24, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
STALKER 2 has a release date. September 5th, to be exact. (I don't
know exactly when this was first announced, but it's news to me) but
it's September 5th of this year. That's right around the corner!
I'm not /incredibly/ excited about the game, but I can't say I'm
entirely without interest either. I didn't adore the first STALKER
like did so many others; it was unpolished, its AI didn't live up to
the hype, the difficulty curve was incredibly uneven, and the overall
experience was spotty. Still, you could see the brilliance of the game
lying underneath, and even if I didn't really enjoy playing it, I
could admire STALKER for its ambitions. Not to mention its dour,
Slavic mood and setting. "Clear Sky" and "Call of Pripyat" were gave
this original formula a much needed polish; they still had a lot of
rough edges but were more streamlined, more fun experiences overall.
I can't deny that the politics surrounding STALKER 2 aren't
influencing me either. Developed by a Ukranian team, I'd probably buy
the game just to show my support of their struggle in the real world.
That they've actually managed to get the game (nearly) out the door at
all is a miracle (even if most of the actual development is taking
place in Czechia).
That said, from what little I've seen of STALKER 2, I can't say it's
left me very impressed. Sure, it looks prettier, but it also feels
blander. I'm not sure this is entirely the fault of the developers;
the original STALKER stood out because there were few games that did
what it did, were set where it was set. Nowadays, there are dozens of
FPS/survival games that ape the original's formula, and the sequel
lacks that feeling of novelty because of it. But overall, watching the
STALKER 2 trailers, I'm reminded a lot more of "Call of Duty" than its
predecessors.
I'll still get the game, though; I'll still play the sequel. Given the
real-life situation, I may even break my own rule and buy the game day
one.
Anyway, it's only a month (and a little bit) to go. After twelve
years, what's a few more weeks?
I'm interested, with a touch of excitement, but like you it is one of
those games that stood out so much due to it wasn't like a standard FPS
in either it's gameplay or setting. It's always been a problem if you
have a game where part of the enjoyment is that's it's refreshing. A
sequel just can't replicate that.
It's was certainly somewhat unpolished, to say the least, although the compliant about the AI kinda passed by my at the time as I wasn't, and
still aren't, really into following games news. If I had to pick one
thing that was the most negative it would be the 'aggressive' re-spawns.
I still have nightmares over the rail yard acting as a transition point between areas. Did no one think is it really a good idea to make the
player fight a hard battle every single time.
Overall though, I very much enjoyed it with the combat being more than
just run in guns blazing and how it captured a feeling of exploring a desolate, almost alien, wasteland with an RPG like feel to the whole experience.
So I'll definitely take a look at 2 but a lot of that will be dependent
on reviews and also a bit of a dabble with let's play videos just to try
and confirm it's a game for me. Alternatively, I may just buy it and
rely on Steams two hour rule!
It's was certainly somewhat unpolished, to say the least, although the
compliant about the AI kinda passed by my at the time as I wasn't, and
still aren't, really into following games news. If I had to pick one
thing that was the most negative it would be the 'aggressive'
re-spawns. I still have nightmares over the rail yard acting as a
transition point between areas. Did no one think is it really a good
idea to make the player fight a hard battle every single time.
I don't remember anything about the AI either. I liked the rail yard. I thought it was genius so you really had to think about if you wanted to
go back or not. (All assuming I'm remembering correctly, it's been
awhile.)
Overall though, I very much enjoyed it with the combat being more than
just run in guns blazing and how it captured a feeling of exploring a
desolate, almost alien, wasteland with an RPG like feel to the whole
experience.
So I'll definitely take a look at 2 but a lot of that will be
dependent on reviews and also a bit of a dabble with let's play videos
just to try and confirm it's a game for me. Alternatively, I may just
buy it and rely on Steams two hour rule!
I probably won't buy it. I was never really into FPSs (though I liked
it better than most) and what I heard about the following games/dlcs/remasters or whatever they were never struck me as anything warrenting a play enough to a actually do so, though I thought I would
at some point it's been a long time and I think the time has passed.
If somehow it turns out to be an amazing highly rated game I may try it.
On 26/07/2024 18:19, Justisaur wrote:
It's was certainly somewhat unpolished, to say the least, although
the compliant about the AI kinda passed by my at the time as I
wasn't, and still aren't, really into following games news. If I had
to pick one thing that was the most negative it would be the
'aggressive' re-spawns. I still have nightmares over the rail yard
acting as a transition point between areas. Did no one think is it
really a good idea to make the player fight a hard battle every
single time.
I don't remember anything about the AI either. I liked the rail yard.
I thought it was genius so you really had to think about if you wanted
to go back or not. (All assuming I'm remembering correctly, it's been
awhile.)
The rail yard is one that just stuck in my mind. The first time through
I very much enjoyed it but after that it just felt like the game was punishing you for no good reason. Generally I'm not a fan of enemy
respawns as they quickly become a chore to me. Far Cry 2 and Borderlands
2 come to mind.
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