Shell shock difficulty

[Nightserg]

Are there any disadvantages story wise for playing in Shell Shock difficulty as a first playthrough? Seen the Amnesia video a while back that you can unlock it in the menu without finishing the game, plus there's an achievement for it and I like to feel the pain first try.

[Mocarr]

FUSE BOXES. You start with 1 fuse in 1 of 4 fuse box and you can't take it out. If you got it in arsenal or jail, RESTART.
Also guns only stun monster.
Saves costing fuel.
More traps, gun in locker and some lockers will be in other parts of bunker (i got lighter in arsenal so basecally i didn't get to use molotovs).

[NRHBG]

I have 4 playthrough so far: one on normal, one on hard (both of these before the Halloween update changes) and two on Shell Shock after the update. The only "story" difference I noticed was at the very beginning of the game. In normal and hard, the revolver is given to you by a comrade who meets his fate shortly afterward. You are not allowed to progress until you interact with him and get the revolver so there is no way to miss it. In Shell Shock, the revolver is hidden in a locker, and the comrade is never there to begin with (almost like he already met his fate before you ever got to him). So you miss out on that small story interaction if you start on Shell Shock to begin with. My personal opinion: start on hard. It's a good challenge but without being frustrating. Don't get me wrong, I think shell shock is the perfect mode for repeat playthroughs, but it does kind if assume you have a basic knowledge of the game mechanics and the general layout of the Bunker. I think it would be frustrating trying to dive into shell shock from the very beginning, and you should do one Hard playthrough first to familiarize yourself. Just my 2 cents.

[DoremianCleff]

It doesn't affect the general flow of the game. You will still be able to find everything from base game, but some thing will be difficult to achieve.
It adds a lot of different new mechanics to freshen up your experience with a game and will make general progression more difficult, tedious at points, if not familiar with game. It also adds a lot of randomized elements, which are intended for secondary playthroughs.

If you want a challenge, i will suggest playing on hard difficulty first time around - it will make resources more scarce and encounters more intense. And when you are done, you can dive into Shell Shock, which still going to feel fresh with randomization.

[Nightserg]

Thank you for the info. :)