I LOVE this game!

[Balder]

Hi,

I just had to share some of my joy with this game. STALKER 2 *for me* has probably been the most enjoyable new game since Witcher 3.

That's not to say S2 is without issues, and I'm definitely looking forward to upcoming patches. I do however use 17-18 mods to improve various issues (better LODs, A-life, combat balance, economy, no aim bot enemies etc.), which helps a lot.

I've played for about 160 hours, in the middle of the Subtle Matter quest. I'm just blown away with the characters, story and the countless great locations in the Zone.

I've yet to explore the late game regions (CNPP, Pripyat etc.), but my map is littered with white markers of places I've been. Even so, I'm still constantly discovering new great locations - a hidden cave, an abandoned village, a military building or base etc.

This game has pretty much the perfect game loop and concept for me. GSC just needs to keep improving and fine-tuning the game, and it will have very long legs to stand on - esp. when the modding tools are released. And this is coming from a guy, who tends to be very critical of most AAA games these days.

Thanks GSC!

[windebieste]

The celebration is welcome. I've clocked over 200 hours on this PC. Is the game perfect? Ah, hell no. People seeking perfection are fools. It's still a great game despite the rough edges; and they're still being smoothed off.

GSC are continuing to support the game. STALKER series has a long standing fanbase. I'm good with where STALKER 2 is heading. Just waiting now for the next patch, some more info on that SDK beta, which sounds like it will be released very soon and word on fresh content, including paid for DLC. We know it's all coming.

Multiplayer? Eh. I don't care. Just focus on the SP component, please GSC. If anyone wants to run around and shoot other players, then they've missed the point of being a Stalker. Naysayers can just leave, if they're not happy. That's a valid option, too.

More, STALKER 2, please. Just MORE!

[RaNgeR]

You're enthusiasm is commendable but there's one thing that contradicts your statement, and that is you're using 17-18 mods to improve the experience, despite thanking GSC for the game.

[AsPi4o]

I love the original games a lot as well. I used almost 500 mods though in Grok's modpack. Thanks GSC.

[radblue]

Originally posted by RaNgeR:

You're enthusiasm is commendable but there's one thing that contradicts your statement, and that is you're using 17-18 mods to improve the experience, despite thanking GSC for the game.

Every game I've ever played has had bits I didn't like(been gaming on pc for 40yrs). using mods to change what you dont like doesn't make the base game poor.It's just tuning it to personal preference.
Even tech issues can be system specific . This game perfect for me right out of the box,then patch to "fix" the compile caused it to crash for me lol. No prob there was a fix for that on Nexus.Next patch re-fixed it for me so that was cool.
Been doing this for so long if a game runs great out of box for me I expect it to break when they fix stuff for other ppl. Modders are great for fixing stuff for individuals, just pick the fix ya need as devs can never fix everything for everyone in pc gaming just too much diversity in systems.

ps, on a side note. Ppl who dont want to help themselves with game issues on pc, should just go get a console and play on them.

[RaNgeR]

Originally posted by radblue:

Originally posted by RaNgeR:

You're enthusiasm is commendable but there's one thing that contradicts your statement, and that is you're using 17-18 mods to improve the experience, despite thanking GSC for the game.

Every game I've ever played has had bits I didn't like(been gaming on pc for 40yrs). using mods to change what you dont like doesn't make the base game poor.It's just tuning it to personal preference.
Even tech issues can be system specific . This game perfect for me right out of the box,then patch to "fix" the compile caused it to crash for me lol. No prob there was a fix for that on Nexus.Next patch re-fixed it for me so that was cool.
Been doing this for so long if a game runs great out of box for me I expect it to break when they fix stuff for other ppl. Modders are great for fixing stuff for individuals, just pick the fix ya need as devs can never fix everything for everyone in pc gaming just too much diversity in systems.

ps, on a side note. Ppl who dont want to help themselves with game issues on pc, should just go get a console and play on them.

There's some novelty to it when playing with mods in any game. Basically, I separate mods into three: changing, improving, and fixing.

Considering S2 is still new, and being released in an unfinished state, it's up to the devs to, at the very least, make the game to work on modern systems properly. But, having the game optimized isn't enough. It should also come with its own content package in order to keep vanilla players active and interested long enough. If, from the very start, modders are making things that meant to provide a stop-gap to issues for certain individuals until those are (supposedly) get fixed officially, then it's obviously that the devs are doing something wrong. This applies to certain addons and subtle improvements, like NVGs and better inventory management.

Mods come into effect and meaning a lot more in the years following the last time devs seize further official support. Only then it can be judged about the fidelity of the game at hand. Just because games like Fallout 3, which game out in 2008, and still one of the most playable games ever, it's not because it's an inherently a working game, but because there's a consistent modding community that keeps it alive.

Bottom line is: if a new game that got released needs more mods that fix it than that improve it or change the experience, that's already a red flag.

[Balder]

For me STALKER 2 is about the atmospheric landscape and various locations, having different factions, monsters, wildlife, RPG-mechanics for weapons, armors, artifacts etc. S2 is the near-perfect gameplay loop for me.

When using DLSS4 and increasing nanite draw length in engine.ini above ultra, the visuals IMO are really good. The lighting can sometimes look a bit flat, but certainly nothing that bad. The NPC AI is ok by "modern" standards, but not good enough by STALKER standards - still not game breaking by any means. Though, the CPU optimization is probably the worst I've experienced in an AAA game, which is noticeable with my aging overclocked 10600K.

The mods I use are mostly fairly minor stuff. I'm guessing most of the critics here also used mods with the original STALKER games. To say using mods make S2 invalid is hyperbole.

Overall, STALKER 2 has that "magic" for me, if some areas of improvement is needed here and there.

[RaNgeR]

Originally posted by Balder:

I'm guessing most of the critics here also used mods with the original STALKER games. To say using mods make S2 invalid is hyperbole

It isn't hyperbole if some of the mods you're using are for things that should have been part of the base game from the get-go. I'm not arguing that they aren't necessary to improve the gameplay, because I'd use them too. The point is, if some of those mods, which seem to be easy to make, still are lacking from the base game, then it's a problem that shouldn't exist to begin with.

To name a few:
- Brighter flashlight
- Larger loot screen
- Improved AI (to an extent they're believable, regardless to A-Life)

[Balder]

Originally posted by RaNgeR:

Originally posted by Balder:

I'm guessing most of the critics here also used mods with the original STALKER games. To say using mods make S2 invalid is hyperbole

It isn't hyperbole if some of the mods you're using are for things that should have been part of the base game from the get-go. I'm not arguing that they aren't necessary to improve the gameplay, because I'd use them too. The point is, if some of those mods, which seem to be easy to make, still are lacking from the base game, then it's a problem that shouldn't exist to begin with.

To name a few:
- Brighter flashlight
- Larger loot screen
- Improved AI (to an extent they're believable, regardless to A-Life)

I use those mods, and obviously a small A-life radius with no NVGs and binoculars are not minor issues, but I genuinely feel that some people here are just way too negative.

My point is I’m having a really great time playing this game, and let’s give GSC some more time improving things - not acting like the game is a total fail - which is just silly. I do wish they would confirm if those issues I mentioned above will be addressed or not.

[RaNgeR]

Originally posted by Balder:

Originally posted by RaNgeR:

It isn't hyperbole if some of the mods you're using are for things that should have been part of the base game from the get-go. I'm not arguing that they aren't necessary to improve the gameplay, because I'd use them too. The point is, if some of those mods, which seem to be easy to make, still are lacking from the base game, then it's a problem that shouldn't exist to begin with.

To name a few:
- Brighter flashlight
- Larger loot screen
- Improved AI (to an extent they're believable, regardless to A-Life)

I use those mods, and obviously a small A-life radius with no NVGs and binoculars are not minor issues, but I genuinely feel that some people here are just way too negative.

My point is I’m having a really great time playing this game, and let’s give GSC some more time improving things - not acting like the game is a total fail - which is just silly. I do wish they would confirm if those issues I mentioned above will be addressed or not.

The negativity also comes from a place where S2 feels like a downgraded version than the original trilogy, which also applies to small things like we've already mentioned, such as binoculars. The fact that you literally use them in the beginning of the game, albeit a scripted event, then physically the item exists, but it was never implemented as a usable one. So of course such a thing is making people furious.

S2 isn't a dead game. It has a passable gameplay. Nothing too fancy nor draw dropping.