Going back to Stalker

[Neb]

I tried out SoC four years ago, but gave up after bugs and other malignant arthropods wrecked my buzz. Now that I'm on a crappy little netbook, and waiting for a new pc to be built, I actually feel like going back to the Stalker games and giving the whole thing another go.

I've heard names of mods thrown around, but is there anything I should use for my first playthroughs of all three games?

Also, is Clear Sky really that bad?

[Bakerman]

I've heard names of mods thrown around, but is there anything I should use for my first playthroughs of all three games?

I wouldn't, really, but if you can't avoid it then the Complete mods are great. I've only tried SoC Complete, but I believe the other two Complete mods are of the same quality. They're basically graphical overhauls, but also include a ton of bugfixes and gameplay tweaks. Nothing over-the-top in my opinion - and the game still feels like Stalker. But again, I'd play through without mods, unless the bugs are really killing you (I somehow managed to avoid them completely when I played it...).

Also, is Clear Sky really that bad?

Yes. I mean, maybe I shouldn't have been playing it on Master difficulty. Either way, there was a lot I liked about it - I'm a huge fan of Stalker's gunplay, and it gave me a lot of that. I'd recommend it - but with the warning that it's the worst game of the three.

[Koki]

Complete + Respawn population management and you're good to go.

(Complete not necessary for CoP)

Also, is Clear Sky really that bad?

Yes.

[Al_B]

I'm on a crappy little netbook

If you're planning on running stalker on it you might find the complete mods a bit of a stretch for it. They are a great enhancement but do come with a hefty performance requirement in my experience.

[bleaksand]

Also, is Clear Sky really that bad?

I've played it twice and I gotta say, no. I think people exaggerate a wee bit.

But if you already own the game, try it out for yourself!

[Dia]

I tried running CS on a very old & failing PC so I'm thinking that, plus all the bugs & glitches that came with the game, just compounded the problems with running CS which forced me to restart my computer every 30 minutes or less. But what I did manage to play I enjoyed tremendously, though I didn't really get very far in the game. I've been toying with the idea of D/L'ing the Complete mods now that I have a decent machine and after I get settled from my recent move I'll probably do just that, since I've heard nothing but praise for those mods.

[Thirith]

I've only played Clear Sky Complete, but in that version I thought it was almost as good as Shadow of Chernobyl. It definitely scratched that Stalker itch more than adequately.

[Dia]

Okay; I've (finally!) finished Clear Sky (hated the endgame) and am left wanting more Stalker. I've heard of the Oblivion Lost and Priboi Story mods and was wondering if they're worth d/l'ing? Anything else out there besides the Complete mods for all three?

[june gloom]

Man, Clear Sky's end game is fucking terrible.

[Koki]

Okay; I've (finally!) finished Clear Sky (hated the endgame) and am left wanting more Stalker. I've heard of the Oblivion Lost and Priboi Story mods and was wondering if they're worth d/l'ing? Anything else out there besides the Complete mods for all three?

STALKERSOUP

[Dia]

Just installed/started playing Oblivion Lost and have managed to get myself shredded twice by unexpected anomalies where there weren't any before. Interesting.

[Dia]

Flashback to Clear Sky.



I EFFIN' HATE THIS BUS!!!



Just had to get it out of my system. I'm done now.



Now I'm pissed off that medkits are so damned hard to get in Oblivion Lost. I'm gettin' my ass handed to me on a silver platter ...... repeatedly!


And I'm not a masochist, either.

[242]

Okay; I've (finally!) finished Clear Sky (hated the endgame) and am left wanting more Stalker. I've heard of the Oblivion Lost and Priboi Story mods and was wondering if they're worth d/l'ing? Anything else out there besides the Complete mods for all three?

How about Call of Pripyat?

Talking about Stalker, now when I remember how exceedingly atmospheric it was (especially the SoC) I feel urge to replay it. It just evouked some feelengs I've never exacly felt in any other game. Something between loneliness, detachment from the world, sadness, thrill mixed with some fear, and mistique.

It's sooo pity that rich gameworld is abandoned now, even before at least one proper sequel.

[Dia]

I've play CoP so many times I think I could do a playthru in my sleep. Absolutely LOVED that installment (since it's not considered an actual Stalker game - more like an extension?). I did manage to finish Clear Sky, but was so disgusted and disappointed by the endgame that I doubt if I'll ever go back & replay it. Well, at least not for a long time.

I'm still hackin' around in Oblivion Lost and wondering where to go from here (gamewise). Maybe the Mass Effect series? I'm also kind of looking forward to Survarium ... in an apprehensive sort of way since I've never played an MMO before.

[june gloom]

Who says it's not a full game? wtf

At this point it's the only real Stalker 2 we're ever gonna get.

[ANTSHODAN]

Unless, of course, this has any truth... - Ex-STALKER devs form Union Studio, developing Fallout/Rage inspired shooter



Though the whole "action shooter" talk does put a bit of a dampener on it...

[Painkiller]

I would definitely play Stalker with the complete mod. It only improves the game, imho. If your rig can handle it, go for it! I just completed Pripyat with the complete mod, and it was fantastic. Dishonored kinda sucked, so I reloaded Pripyat, and couldn't put it down. Wished I would've been able to save more guys at the very end.

Saw a vid on YouTube that some guy had recorded while playing Soc, and the graphics were so damn good, and the movement was buttery smooth!! Wish I knew what all mods he was using. Guess at the complete mod but, there was more going on than that.

Need to reinstall Stalker, and mod it up.

[Tetherscape]

Another vote for Complete, here. Modern rigs are usually good enough to run it without too much problems, and it does update the game so it's closer in appearance to Fallout 3 vintage.

The only other thing I added in was a Protecta shotgun mod, which was pretty easy to do (with a bit of extra sprite copypasta). I love that gun from Call of Pripyat.

If you do give Complete a try, be prepared for some jaw-dropping visual set pieces. I saw one during a runthrough when I just happened to be in the right place at the right time - and I say unto you, it was good.