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LTTP: Stalker 2 (Xbox Series X)

EverydayBeast

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So much crazy stuff happening in this game, the zone, even before playing this I was eager/excited to step into the "Zone".

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. Post apocalyptic Russia is very sexy.

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One of the bigger maps, there's not a lot of transportation, every area feels established but I don't think traversing is this games strong point.

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The two, three health bars is insane. So it's imperative to keep searching for things like health kits, radiation health, hunger, energy on top of not staying in one area too long because a mutated animal will come run along and kill you, or a group of bandits will unleash fire, or the "Zone" itself with its anomalies will damage you. Clearly this game has some health management systems, but I never seen a game where you have to constantly monitor your energy, and give your main character an energy drink. This isn't a bad thing but it's a playstyle I think casuals won't get behind.



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The perfect, refreshing drink.


No question Stalker 2 is a good game, I'm critical of the backpack cargo system, the endless ammos, how everything is scarce, I personally ignored the customization system which isn't over the top, but it's in defense of the casual gamer and their good time, I would imagine a lot of people quit this game 2-3 hours in but I got through and had a good time with it. The story from what I understand is simple, war between factions (the ward, stalkers and skif) and the experiments with controlling soldiers from the aftermath of the Chornobyl accident. It's incredibly well done, when I think about the Skif I played he was a soul crushing mercenary just living through a horrible situation.


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What did GAF think of stalker 2? I'm aware it's recognized in the PC community, and it's only been offered on console since 2024/25.
 
I loved Stalker 2 even as somebody that is a huge fan of the original trilogy of games. I put somewhere in the range of 150 hours into it on PC.

It's a different game then the originals, and as much as I hate this phrase it's definitely been "consolized" but it's still a great game in it's own right even if it isn't a masterpiece like Shadow of Chernobyl.

Also I literally had to use UE Engine console commands to start/finish quests for what was probably the last 40-50% of the story because my games was bugged and no quests would start or actually complete (so nearly every quest required me to essentially command prompt the completion and start the next one do the quest rinse and repeat) and despite that I still loved it.

If it ever goes on sale for more then 20% off on PSN I might try a comfy couch/controller play through.
 
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Could not put it down on my ps5 pro when it came out. Dropped 80 hours and completed all quests and got beat ending.

9/10.

The zone is one of the most well thought out and memorable places in gaming.
 
I don't get the backpack, it fills up so fast, you can barely loot anything. I spent 30-ish hours in it, and half of that was stumbling around to sell stuff.

I don't understand how people play it, you loot a little over the limit and you move like a rock. I have never played a game that overencumber you so fast. It almost feels like a bug, it drives me nuts because I wanna loot stuff.
 
Really good game, needed a bit more QoL love for launch but happy to see the team has worked on it over the year and the game is in tremendous shape right now.
 
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