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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl |OT|
- Thread starter Defcon
- Start date
I just picked this up this week (along with a 8800gt card - I like!) and so far it seems very cool. So far is like 10 minutes into it.
I don't even know how to save.
I guess I could look in the manual. I'm surprised how the game gets right into it. Even the first battle is intense.
Nice to see this thread pop up today. Good timing.
I don't even know how to save.
I guess I could look in the manual. I'm surprised how the game gets right into it. Even the first battle is intense. Nice to see this thread pop up today. Good timing.
Truelize said:I just picked this up this week (along with a 8800gt card - I like!) and so far it seems very cool. So far is like 10 minutes into it.
I don't even know how to save.
Nice to see this thread pop up today. Good timing.
Just wait till you get to the underground lab. Scariest shit ever.
Laurentius
Member
Any answers to my questions? Lighting and general tips...
Broseybrose
Member
this was one of my top 5 games of 07, never noticed any problems with the graphics or framerate except for the fact that i had to use software AA and couldnt force it through NVCP... with an 8800GTX @1920x1200 my frames were 50-150 depending on what was going on...SenseiJinx said:
what gpu are you using and what res are you playing? if youre using an 8 series nvidia card or better, the only 'tips' i can think of is make sure you set AA/AF to "application controlled" in NVCP and max out the in-game settings.
edit- crap, i totally forgot about the float32 mod... it makes the darks darker, brights brighter, improves overall atmosphere and improves framerates too... install that mod IMMEDIATELY
just google float32. i couldnt see playing the game without it.Laurentius
Member
I'm running at 1680x1050 on a Radeon x1900GT. Yes, I know it isn't the greatest card, but it runs just about every game well for me. The only one it's had troubles with is Crysis.
But anyway, I'm running at that res with fairly high specs and getting a fairly steady 30 FPS in most instances, but whenever lightning strikes it goes down to about 5.
(Also, I'm not using any AA. I know that you have to force it externally, and it's really not a big deal for me. At that resolution the exchange of FPS for graphical fidelity is way too small.)
But anyway, I'm running at that res with fairly high specs and getting a fairly steady 30 FPS in most instances, but whenever lightning strikes it goes down to about 5.
(Also, I'm not using any AA. I know that you have to force it externally, and it's really not a big deal for me. At that resolution the exchange of FPS for graphical fidelity is way too small.)
Broseybrose
Member
no, you cannot force it externally (at least i couldnt), you have to use the in-game AA if you want AA. but like i said, float32 makes the game better and improves framerates... please do give it a try. best graphical mod ive ever come across.SenseiJinx said:
Broseybrose
Member
yes, i was also completely caught off guard by the 'scares'... and that IS the best way. float32 makes it even more creppy... everyone should install it.alistairw said:
Laurentius
Member
Broseybrose said:
Hm, thought I'd read that the in-game AA didn't work. Oh well. Doesn't bother me either way, because I don't really mind if it's off or on.
Anyway, I'll definitely check out that float32 mod, thanks. I usually like to play games vanilla first, but in a game like this or Oblivion graphical mods can be really necessary.
Glad to hear that you're enjoying the game! I've played through it twice and can offer some basic tips.
1) The weaponry at the beginning of the game sucks. Make sure you don't ever try to run and gun until you get some much better weapons, many hours into the game.
2) Always do a low-crouch if you can, and aim for the head. Torso shots do practically nothing, especially with underpowered weapons, and even less when you face off against heavier armored people
3) When you come to the first bridge with the military checkpoint early in the game, you probably won't be able to kill them. You can instead bribe them so they'll let you pass. Next time you see them, you should have a nice rifle or submachinegun and you can take those bastards down!
4) In the first underground area (maybe second? I think it's the first), you'll find a lair belonging to an important character. Look around closely and you'll be able to find an AK rifle with an immensely sped-up rate of fire. It's extremely deadly, especially if you find a scope to go along with it later in the game.
5) Look around for bluish-gray metal containers, shaped somewhat like a briefcase! You can open them with your knife, and they often contain health, ammo, or other goodies. I didn't notice these things at all until late into my first playthrough, and they would've been very helpful otherwise.
6) Pick up mostly every weapon you come to - oftentimes you can right-click it in your inventory and unload it to get extra ammo. Then you can drop the weapon again unless you want it.
That's about all that popped into my head for now. Happy playing!
1) The weaponry at the beginning of the game sucks. Make sure you don't ever try to run and gun until you get some much better weapons, many hours into the game.
2) Always do a low-crouch if you can, and aim for the head. Torso shots do practically nothing, especially with underpowered weapons, and even less when you face off against heavier armored people
3) When you come to the first bridge with the military checkpoint early in the game, you probably won't be able to kill them. You can instead bribe them so they'll let you pass. Next time you see them, you should have a nice rifle or submachinegun and you can take those bastards down!
4) In the first underground area (maybe second? I think it's the first), you'll find a lair belonging to an important character. Look around closely and you'll be able to find an AK rifle with an immensely sped-up rate of fire. It's extremely deadly, especially if you find a scope to go along with it later in the game.
5) Look around for bluish-gray metal containers, shaped somewhat like a briefcase! You can open them with your knife, and they often contain health, ammo, or other goodies. I didn't notice these things at all until late into my first playthrough, and they would've been very helpful otherwise.
6) Pick up mostly every weapon you come to - oftentimes you can right-click it in your inventory and unload it to get extra ammo. Then you can drop the weapon again unless you want it.
That's about all that popped into my head for now. Happy playing!
Mr_Appleby
Member
dLMN8R said:
or keep an eye out for the alternate route
just started another play of this myself
Just my own notes to the great suggestions listed above on getting started in STALKER:
Also, make use of containers. The game has an excellent memory when it comes to these and if you don't feel like selling everything, or want to keep a batch of extra healing goodies somewhere safe, find a chest and use it as your personal locker. There's one in the STALKER camp further in the game in the bar, but you can conceivably use most any one of these as a personal stash.
Have fun with the game! Clear Skies is just around the corner.
In addition, what you see is not necessarily what you will get aside from weapons and ammo. If you take out a fellow STALKER wearing a nice, armored suit, you won't get the suit. I believe that there's a mod out there that changes this, though.dLMN8R said:
You can also avoid the checkpoint entirely by finding a way around it. Several places in the game are set up to be approached in a variety of ways if direct confrontations aren't your thing. You don't have to kill everyone you see. Well, most everyone.dLMN8R said:
The game is also generally open to exploration. You can push past certain areas and ignore the main mission since they ripped out the possibility of having NPCs succeed in accomplishing certain tasks ahead of you. You'll still have to watch out for anomalies and radiation, but the benefits are considerably worth the risks. Pushing as far as I could towards Chernobyl somewhat early in the game yielded some good equipment, including artifacts.dLMN8R said:
Also, make use of containers. The game has an excellent memory when it comes to these and if you don't feel like selling everything, or want to keep a batch of extra healing goodies somewhere safe, find a chest and use it as your personal locker. There's one in the STALKER camp further in the game in the bar, but you can conceivably use most any one of these as a personal stash.
Have fun with the game! Clear Skies is just around the corner.
NameGenerated
Who paid you to grab Dr. Pavel?
Just got this on Steam for 20 bucks. Installing now, hope it's good!
Just started playing this game. Maybe an hour or two into it, just went underground for the first time.
My last two questions are how do you use grenades and what exactly do you do with artifacts? They just sit there in my inventory right now. Do you they improve your stats as long as you hold on to them or do you sell them at some point?
How do you use the knife? Is it an item you have to pickup at some point?dLMN8R said:
Where do you sell items? And what do these containers look like? I've stopped actually trying to open things because nothing seems to really interact.Egg Shen said:
My last two questions are how do you use grenades and what exactly do you do with artifacts? They just sit there in my inventory right now. Do you they improve your stats as long as you hold on to them or do you sell them at some point?
Easy_G said:
The knife and grenades are just invisible weapon slots. Same thing with the bolts. Hit the number keys til you figure out which one's which, since I don't remember.
And the artifacts you have to equip. There's five boxes next to where you equip your weapons, drag the artifacts to those to equip them.
AgentOtaku
Member
this is why I love STALKER....you what I did? ....I was about to just kill them all off (it can be done at the beginning) but as I was talking to one dude, a random STALKER started firing on them. All of their attention diverted to him and in that instant I sprinted past them and went on my merry way
NovemberMike
Member
For knives, press one and for grenades press 5 or 6.
Easy_G said:
At the beginning of the game the only place you can sell items is with the Trader who gives you the main storyline missions. There is a little "Trade" button on the bottom of the dialogue window.
My advice is to gather all the Sparkler/Flash artifacts you can, which are found near electro anomalies, because you can get your endurance up high enough to run without losing stamina (as long as you're not overburdened) which vastly improves travel time for when you want to go back and sell off a load of loot to him.
Mr_Appleby
Member
Easy_G said:
they're big blue metal chests, default is press F to open them.
I'm glad I'm seeing so many positive comments on this game...I heard that is was really buggy, but I got it for super-cheap (I think) as part of the crazy Circuit City sale a while back. Still haven't installed it. I'm not a horror movie/game fan, though (even Half-Life 2 tends to creep me out), so I may not make it through it. XD
What are these mods people are talking about? I searched for float32 but couldn't figure out exactly what it is and does. And is Clear Skies a new "game" mod, basically?
*edit*
After more research and actually reading the thread, I apologize. I see float32 is a performance/graphics mod and Clear Skies is a prequel coming out soon...which is awesome because I want a new computer this year. =P I'll probably try the first STALKER a bit and then put the float32 mod on.
One question though that's bothering me...I'm wanting a computer this year while I still have a chance of getting XP, but someone said something about DirectX 10. Please tell me Vista isn't REQUIRED...
*edit again* FINAL question: If I install it, do I need to find the website to get the latest official patch? I heard things about mission bugs. Do I need a third-party patch to fix those, or does the official one handle stuff for the normal game?
Broseybrose said:
What are these mods people are talking about? I searched for float32 but couldn't figure out exactly what it is and does. And is Clear Skies a new "game" mod, basically?
*edit*
After more research and actually reading the thread, I apologize. I see float32 is a performance/graphics mod and Clear Skies is a prequel coming out soon...which is awesome because I want a new computer this year. =P I'll probably try the first STALKER a bit and then put the float32 mod on.
One question though that's bothering me...I'm wanting a computer this year while I still have a chance of getting XP, but someone said something about DirectX 10. Please tell me Vista isn't REQUIRED...
*edit again* FINAL question: If I install it, do I need to find the website to get the latest official patch? I heard things about mission bugs. Do I need a third-party patch to fix those, or does the official one handle stuff for the normal game?
Romance Pie
Member
Blizzard said:
DX10 is Vista only, but most of those effects could be done in DX9 (look at crysis for example)
I played through that game without any patches or fixes and had no problems with quests, but I heard the official ones did the job nicely. And do install the float32 mod before your play so you get a nice performance boost.
Hopefully Stalker:CS comes out end of this month, but I've got a weird feeling it may be delayed :/
yet to see what Australia rated it
Romance Pie said:
I know retailers aren't the most reliable sources, but GAME in the UK recently sent out a message to people that pre-ordered Clear Sky stating that the game was delayed for one week. Which, if it's true, could just be a distribution delay since I don't think one week is going to help the development.
EDIT: There's also a rumor that GSC has already begun work on the first patch and plan to release it the day before the game comes out so chances are the game is finished. It's hard to find any solid information though.
I also asked IGN this question for their PC podcast - if they thought Clear Sky would come out on time - and they were very optimistic. They have a build in the office for themselves already, the company is very confident in the release date, and PC Zone Magazine apparently has a review out there too.Thater said:
dLMN8R said:
STEAM just set the release date to September 6th, so I guess it isn't a distribution problem. Maybe they're trying to patch it before release, but I'm just speculating. It just seems that one week is a weird delay, although it's far better than X years.
1C says it's gold for Russia and will be out there August 22nd.
You can also trade with other Stalkers, although the payoff is not as great and they usually have little to nothing for trade.Thater said:
@ Easy_G: There's a major STALKER camp a little further in the game where you can also sell things to. You'll also run into one or two others out in the wilderness that you can purchase things from, so don't worry too much about selling early in the game. Eventually you'll get to a point where you have extra artifacts and weapons to sell, but that's much later when you're not too busy scrabbling for what you can just to survive.
September is going to hurt my wallet.Chiggs said:
I keep starting this up, but can never get into it. The long distances to places in the first few missions and between sub-quests is really getting to me, I think. It seems so bland. Do things pick up?
Then I popped in the movie the game is very loosely based on, because I thought I would get a similar story at a faster pace...boy was I wrong :lol
Then I popped in the movie the game is very loosely based on, because I thought I would get a similar story at a faster pace...boy was I wrong :lol
dLMN8R said:Apparently, the game was delayed due to shipping problems caused by the Georgian/Russian war. The game is indeed coming out at the beginning of September as stated, and just went Gold according to Blue's News
Strange, Georgia is to the east of Ukraine and there's a sea and a part of Turkey in between. How could there be shipment problems? Oh well, there could be a reason for it but I don't see it, yet.
Still looking forward to it, I just hope I got my new components before the game arrives on my doorstep.
Just release it on Steam on time and there'd be no problems.dLMN8R said:Apparently, the game was delayed due to shipping problems caused by the Georgian/Russian war. The game is indeed coming out at the beginning of September as stated, and just went Gold according to Blue's News
MaritalWheat
Member
...OmegaRed said: