Friendly vs enemy, how do I know?

[TVs Frank]

I walked through the chemical plant, the Ward soldiers (who are green on my icon) told me to get out, I did, now they are shooting at me. I am so confused about who is friendly and who is enemies? Help.

[Michael M]

Maybe you did a "wrong" choice from their point of view while there?

[Nite69]

use your compass at the top, a Red arrow will be above for enemies once your within a certain distance of them, if you don't see one they are friendly

[GrenadeMagnet6]

You aren't supposed to go into the Chemical Plant, yet. But for whatever reason the developers allow you to by leaving the Plant's gates open, which causes confusion with new players.

From what I understand in addition to Ward troops there are also other non-Ward military troops in the Chemical Plant, which are hostile. If you get too close to the helicopter to the East, or the warehouse to the West, then the non-Ward troops will spot you and start shooting at you.

If you choose the Spark route you will never be allowed into the Chemical Plant. But if you pick the Ward route then you are only allowed into the plant when Ward's leader orders you to visit the Plant later in the game.

[TVs Frank]

Originally posted by Michael M:

Maybe you did a "wrong" choice from their point of view while there?

LOL...I looked at them. Some of them started running around initially, thought there was a dog or mutant, then as I was standing there doing nothing they all unloaded on me. This all after I had conversations with them (well at least tried to as they said "talk to my leader")

[Limp Squirrel]

I will agree that playing with the HUD off is way too difficult since it's virtually impossible to tell who is friendly and who isn't. Worst case is that hostile NPCs will immediately open fire on you, even if they have their backs turned against you.

[Nite69]

Originally posted by Limp Squirrel:

I will agree that playing with the HUD off is way too difficult since it's virtually impossible to tell who is friendly and who isn't. Worst case is that hostile NPCs will immediately open fire on you, even if they have their backs turned against you.

then why not just leave the compass on and disable everything else, its custmizable in the settings

[Limp Squirrel]

Originally posted by Nite69:

Originally posted by Limp Squirrel:

I will agree that playing with the HUD off is way too difficult since it's virtually impossible to tell who is friendly and who isn't. Worst case is that hostile NPCs will immediately open fire on you, even if they have their backs turned against you.

then why not just leave the compass on and disable everything else, its custmizable in the settings

Because some people may want an immersive experience? That's like suggesting the solution to lack of NV goggles is just turn the Gamma setting all the way up.

There is no binoculars in the game and it's constantly night time, so it's very hard to tell who is a potential enemy. In the previous games, you knew who is hostile to you and you could spot them with your binoculars way ahead of time. Neutral factions would pull their gun out of precaution but not shoot. Here it often happens you're wondering around and suddenly you're getting shot at by a group of NPCs that you can't make out who they are and why they're shooting at you.

[Sgt. Flaw]

Meh irl you wouldn't be able to tell but neither would an enemy just start firing without confirmation....

[m carver]

Originally posted by Limp Squirrel:

Because some people may want an immersive experience? That's like suggesting the solution to lack of NV goggles is just turn the Gamma setting all the way up.

There is no binoculars in the game and it's constantly night time, so it's very hard to tell who is a potential enemy. In the previous games, you knew who is hostile to you and you could spot them with your binoculars way ahead of time. Neutral factions would pull their gun out of precaution but not shoot. Here it often happens you're wondering around and suddenly you're getting shot at by a group of NPCs that you can't make out who they are and why they're shooting at you.

It's not true that it is "constantly night time". The devs have actually shortened night time and expanded day time. If you are going to justify your argument, at least be truthful. They are shooting at you because they are hostile. Binoculars in the previous game were a crutch that broke the immersion. They would identify friend or foe. Pure science fiction.

[lockwoodx]

The guys shooting at you in the chemical plant early on are Military border guards doing drills in the back of the plant. When you advance the story they go away.

[Limp Squirrel]

Originally posted by m carver:

Originally posted by Limp Squirrel:

Because some people may want an immersive experience? That's like suggesting the solution to lack of NV goggles is just turn the Gamma setting all the way up.

There is no binoculars in the game and it's constantly night time, so it's very hard to tell who is a potential enemy. In the previous games, you knew who is hostile to you and you could spot them with your binoculars way ahead of time. Neutral factions would pull their gun out of precaution but not shoot. Here it often happens you're wondering around and suddenly you're getting shot at by a group of NPCs that you can't make out who they are and why they're shooting at you.

It's not true that it is "constantly night time". The devs have actually shortened night time and expanded day time. If you are going to justify your argument, at least be truthful. They are shooting at you because they are hostile. Binoculars in the previous game were a crutch that broke the immersion. They would identify friend or foe. Pure science fiction.

Constantly night time is clearly a dramatic way of saying, it's night too often and too long.
As for the binoculars, you don't even need the identifiers. I could tell who was Duty, who was Freedom, who were Bandits etc. Not so much here, unless you're in their face or they're already shooting at you.

As for pure science fiction. What does that make the magical compass that automatically identifies enemies, friendlies, and neutrals then?