New player to Stalker

[SpookyFairy]

Can anyone explain to me the gameplay loop, how it plays exactly, what this game is similar to so I'll know what to expect gameplay wise? Is it a singleplayer campaign only? any end-game content/replay value?

Thanks.

[Foxrun]

You get plopped into the zone where you can follow the story, side missions, or whatever role playing idea you want. The game is brutally difficult.

You are not a super soldier. You are a STALKER and you can be killed very easily by mutants, humans, and by the zone itself through anomalies or emissions. Again, this game is brutal.

They are unique and the only games I can relate it to are the previous stalkers.

[Foxrun]

Originally posted by Wenzel:

Have you ever played "Fallout: New Vegas" or "Fallout 4" ?

Imagine F:NV without a Pipboy and without its deep character development. And there's not that many NPCs roaming the world.

I would say it is a more realistic, more desolate-feeling and more terrifying experience than F:NV. And there's almost no "humour" sprinkled over it to cheer you up.

Plus, there's deadly weather events ^^

There IS a lot of accidental humor in these games.

[StormhawkV]

I would really like to know where this idea of a 'brutally difficult' game comes from. People are free to play on the lowest of 4 difficulty levels last time I checked.

[Sirius Black]

You go left - killed by anomaly
You go right - killed by mutants
You move straight - killed by humans
You don't move - killed by Zone

[zenos]

Originally posted by StormhawkV:

I would really like to know where this idea of a 'brutally difficult' game comes from. People are free to play on the lowest of 4 difficulty levels last time I checked.

probably referring to total conversion mods rather than the base game

[Rootbeer Safety Team]

It's hard to explain what stalker is without talking about it's setting.

It's an fps game that could be called a light rpg hybrid. In an open world setting.

And the setting is a slice of eastern europe where mad scientists were allowed to meddle with things you just aren't supposed to meddle with. Basically tore a hole in reality. And now this zone is a condoned off disaster zone where the laws of physics and nature no longer apply.

Think of a contemporary "realistic" setting. And throw Lovecraft horror into it
It's kind of like the Bethesda games on a very superficial and surface level. But that's a basic comparison

[Foxrun]

Originally posted by StormhawkV:

I would really like to know where this idea of a 'brutally difficult' game comes from. People are free to play on the lowest of 4 difficulty levels last time I checked.

This day in age of gamers have a hard time with difficulty and are used to massive amounts of hand holding. Stalker plays like a game that adheres to older game design.

[StormhawkV]

Originally posted by abel:

probably referring to total conversion mods rather than the base game

That's what I'm thinking as well.

[Foxrun]

Originally posted by Teddy Black:

You go left - killed by anomaly
You go right - killed by mutants
You move straight - killed by humans
You don't move - killed by Zone

Emission incoming! So you run into a bunker and then get killed by a poltergeist

[Foxrun]

Originally posted by Wenzel:

Originally posted by Foxrun:

There IS a lot of accidental humor in these games.

You mean random events like mutants fighting with bandits? :MMForFun:

Yes and some anomaly fun

[SpookyFairy]

Thanks. I love difficult games (more into soulsborne/soulslike). The sense of accomplishment appeals to me. So it's a campaign that once finished it's over, or there is a replay value to the game (it's single player right? I'm asking because I might pick it up on gamepass but if it has good replay value I might get it here.

[Foxrun]

Originally posted by SpookyFairy:

Thanks. I love difficult games (more into soulsborne/soulslike). The sense of accomplishment appeals to me. So it's a campaign that once finished it's over, or there is a replay value to the game (it's single player right?

You will likely still be able to explore. I replayed the hell out of the originals because it always felt like anything could happen in these games. The devs already showcased a mission or two that had multiple and very different outcomes; it was a random side mission you could find.

It's hard to answer this question. What games do you like to replay? It sounds like you would enjoy Stalker and if you do not then refund it within the 2 hour window.

[Panther]

Bit like an arma campaign crossed with dayz if it was mutants instead of zombies, decided it was the basis for a single player Tarkov.

You get "dropped in" to the zone and have to gather information by exploring, meeting people and doing tasks.
Single player campaigns with multiple endings.

Usually people would just not complete the story if wanted to live in the world or use mods.
Pripyat had an ending where you could carry on playing and leave later to roll credits so maybe like that.

[SpookyFairy]

Originally posted by Virake:

Originally posted by SpookyFairy:

Can anyone explain to me the gameplay loop, how it plays exactly, what this game is similar to so I'll know what to expect gameplay wise? Is it a singleplayer campaign only? any end-game content/replay value?

Thanks.

it's an open world first-person shooter with light survival elements (nutrition, radiation poisoning, weapon degradation, etc) set in a derelict industrial/countryside sci-fi setting (basically looks post-apocalypse, except the rest of the world is fine), with mutants, human opponents, and environmental threats (physical anomalies). it's somewhat similar to Fallout and Metro series, except there's no XP or character upgrades (sklls/abilities), but there are quests, trading, loot, and an inventory system; weapons and armor are upgradable.

Thanks. Any reasons to replay it, is it dynamic enough to make it fun to replay the game?

[StormhawkV]

Originally posted by SpookyFairy:

Thanks. I love difficult games (more into soulsborne/soulslike). The sense of accomplishment appeals to me. So it's a campaign that once finished it's over, or there is a replay value to the game (it's single player right? I'm asking because I might pick it up on gamepass but if it has good replay value I might get it here.

I think it's safe to assume there won't be something like new game+ but depending on the ending you get it might be possible to keep playing. The devs also said it will be impossible to see everything in one playthrough because of choices you have to make during the story.