one thing I like about this game is that it's reversed a very common gaming scenario. All the time in games you get faceless goons coming up to you saying "you have something of ours" or "gimme your shiny boots". In STALKER it's you doing it. You spy someone across the bar with something you like, you track them a suitable distance away, kill them and steal their stuff.
the first artifact mission also teaches a very important lesson. There's no bullshit contrived morality system where choosing the "good" decision magically results in you getting even more stuff. It works exactly like it does in the real world, with people trying to rip you off.
In fact I'd argue it's the first real morality system. The only thing you'll gain from the good choice is moral satisfaction, you won't be showered in gifts and you may get a few more "Hey, Stalker" in the bars but no one's going to be worshipping you.
Sucks that travelling between zones costs so much. I gave the scientists the 3 detectors and now I have to go back to Owl just to say "I did it" in order to carry on the quest and I just fucking came from there. 1000 roubles is like 2-3 weapon upgrades. Can't be arsed to do any more of Beard's artifact hunts.