Well I've heard of people not being able to advance from the area after the swamp, not to mention constant crashes at other parts of the game. I'm sure if people managed to review the game, it's ok to play on, but personally I don't want to play anymore, I'd rather start over than get near the end and get some crash that means I have to start over then.
STALKER: Clear Sky - review thread
- Thread starter dLMN8R
- Start date
Chiggs said:
I preordered on Steam for the lower price. I'll be waiting for a few more stability patches it looks like. But man, you say it eats memory? 4GB on Vista is enough, right? >_> I could always get 4GB more for like $64...
The upside for me is that I'm about to put together my computer parts, and I'll have the first STALKER to play through first. Oh, and I kinda want to play Half-life 2 again after the whole Large Hadron Collider thing...but I haven't played episodes one and two, which should be awesome on a good video card...oh, and I'm highly considering buying the $15 original Half-life collection to play FIRST, any opinions on that?
:lol
Too bad I'm at work constantly.
Chiggs
Gold Member
Blizzard said:
Yeah, you're golden.
Honestly, it's pretty hard to make it through the original Half-Life. Graphics are really, well, it was released in late 97, so that should tell you something.
Half Life 2 and it's episodes are phenomenal. Definitely play though those and STALKER.
Chiggs
Gold Member
So, I've been playing for a few hours now, and all I can say is...wow. I was initially worried when I read some of the reviews, but not anymore. Clear Sky is a damn worthy follow up, and some of the complaints I just don't get. At all. But whatever...that's generally the nature of reviews.
Anyway, here are some pics I took of the earlier part of the game (no spoilers). The lighting can be absolutely jaw-dropping at times.
And holy shit at the swamp. It's soooooo huge, and really chaotic. When you first go out there, shit really hits the fan--it's monsters and bandits and factions oh my! And they're all going crazy. In fact, you get so many calls for help it's overwhelming at times. And the fucking anomalies! Argh! The swamp is so damn deadly. You can be running your ass off, avoiding mutants and gunfire and plowing through tall reeds and BAM--right into an anomaly.
Also, just for the record, I'm now playing at 1680 by 1050 and the framerate is good.
Edit: Guns feel a little tighter, too.
Anyway, here are some pics I took of the earlier part of the game (no spoilers). The lighting can be absolutely jaw-dropping at times.
And holy shit at the swamp. It's soooooo huge, and really chaotic. When you first go out there, shit really hits the fan--it's monsters and bandits and factions oh my! And they're all going crazy. In fact, you get so many calls for help it's overwhelming at times. And the fucking anomalies! Argh! The swamp is so damn deadly. You can be running your ass off, avoiding mutants and gunfire and plowing through tall reeds and BAM--right into an anomaly.
Also, just for the record, I'm now playing at 1680 by 1050 and the framerate is good.
Edit: Guns feel a little tighter, too.
bee
Member
found this funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGDOyzzRQ3k
keep on recommending sli people, its sooo smooth!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGDOyzzRQ3k
keep on recommending sli people, its sooo smooth!
Chiggs
Gold Member
dark10x said:That sounds absolutely horrible. That's exactly the kind of shit I hated about the original game.
Having read some of your complaints before about Stalker, it's safe to say Clear Sky won't change your mind.
bee said:
I wouldn't have used Clear Sky to demonstrate micro-stuttering, because Clear Sky stutters on its own, anyway.
I had a feeling that would be the case and it's really disappointing. As I've said countless times, there are so many things I LOVE about the game world they designed. It's so appealing to me (exploring abandoned sites is actually a real life hobby of mine tooChiggs said:
). That's why I've tried to enjoy the game upwards of six different times.I wish there was a mod that removed most of the enemies or something.
Seriously, the game would work so much better for me if they didn't have entire armies rushing you with poorly designed AI.Ha, I forgot about that issue as well. I still have that odd problem where looking at fire causes the original STALKER to start stuttering a bit (no HDD access like stuttering, but just framerate jumps) despite the fact that FRAPS will continue to report 60 fps. That also drove me nuts.
Chiggs
Gold Member
Some more thoughts:
Difficulty: The game is harder. If you thought the first was hard, this one is all that and more. Make sure you quick save.
The supposed dumbing down of the game was grossly overstated. It's not that bad, but, yes, the God-PDA is a little odd. I do like seeing where all the bandits are, especially in the swamp where it's hard to spot them. Just rest easy: exploration is still a big part of this game.
Day-to-Night: Awesome, especially with the new lighting. The swamp at night is very creepy. Atmosphere is pure dread.
Underground sections: Not as many as the first, but I know there is at least one biggie.
No Dual or Quad Core support? I really hope this gets addressed by a patch or a community mod. The performance is decent enough, but it could be so much more.
Difficulty: The game is harder. If you thought the first was hard, this one is all that and more. Make sure you quick save.
The supposed dumbing down of the game was grossly overstated. It's not that bad, but, yes, the God-PDA is a little odd. I do like seeing where all the bandits are, especially in the swamp where it's hard to spot them. Just rest easy: exploration is still a big part of this game.
Day-to-Night: Awesome, especially with the new lighting. The swamp at night is very creepy. Atmosphere is pure dread.
Underground sections: Not as many as the first, but I know there is at least one biggie.
No Dual or Quad Core support? I really hope this gets addressed by a patch or a community mod. The performance is decent enough, but it could be so much more.
Dunno if it's been posted already, but the second patch (v1.5.04) is out:
http://stalker.deepsilver.com/patches.php?lang=eng
Don't have the changelog, since you have to download the .doc file from a slow-ass mirror. :lol
http://stalker.deepsilver.com/patches.php?lang=eng
Don't have the changelog, since you have to download the .doc file from a slow-ass mirror. :lol
fatigues_gasolini
Member
Man, after playing through the first one, I cant wait to play this.
Broseybrose
Member
i hope this plays well @1920x1200 on my 8800GTX. this will probably be the first game (besides crysis) that i cant run max settings. hopefully disabling grass shadows or something will do the trick.
eXistor
Member
Broseybrose said:
I have the same videocard (and Q6600 Quad core) and I'm playing on 1920x1080 with enhanced full dynamic lighting and max detail. I had to disable the sunrays though, your framerate really takes a hit with that. So I think you should be fine. I think I'll put Infinite Undiscovery on hold for now and start playing Clear Sky instead.
Broseybrose
Member
eXistor said:
great news. thank you.
Chiggs said:Jesus, the lighting in this game just has to be seen to be believed. I think it's more impressive than Crysis in terms of both lighting and texturing.
Yeah, clouds are nifty, lighting looks promising, but shadows are iffy, and the jaggies (especially the power lines) are annoying. I'll have to see how it plays in motion...
DubloSeven
Member
This game is locked as the number 1 top seller on Steam. That is quite cool.
I'll probably order it soon.
I just hope the combat is improved enough for me to enjoy it, as I really had problems with the first one.
I'll probably order it soon.
I just hope the combat is improved enough for me to enjoy it, as I really had problems with the first one.
DubloSeven
Member
It seems like the STALKER team attracts bugs over and over. Do they lace their code with honey?
Chiggs
Gold Member
STALKER STALKER STALKER!
Awesome depth of field effects
WET! (looks cooler in motion than it does in screens, especially on the mine cart)
Lighting! Filters!
One of the coolest parts of the game so far was when I was repelling a zombie horde at Yantar. Sun was setting behind the hill, and I watched as the entire valley was cast in a shadow, with muzzle bursts lighting up like fireflies (one of the above shots sort of captures it.)
Other thoughts
1. Upgrade your weapons asap, or you are pretty much fucked. I've found this to be harder than S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
2. Game is longer than I thought it would be. Lots of missions, and the faction stuff is great.
3. Underground stuff has been somewhat trimmed, but it's still in there so don't get too disappointed.
4. Love the guide/fast travel feature, but the prices are a little expensive the further you get in the game.
5. Blow outs are fun.
6. Muggings - This can happen a number of times depending on which way you enter certain maps. I fought back against one with a hail of grenades, but another time it seemed to be story-related, and I was left to dash across a hostile area with no weapons or armor to the safety of my Duty brethern.
7. Bigger firefights in general.
8. Make sure you explore and hunt for artifacts! Some people have talked about how linear the game is, but I have to disagree. And the artifacts fetch a real nice price and will help you afford that exoskeleton you've had your eye on.
9. Dogs - far more deadly and obnoxious than the first one. Fuck, are they killers this time around. And the pseudo-dogs! Argh!
10. Don't be surprised when you have to fight ten snorks at once. Just saying.
11. Dynamic music. Sort of cool the first twenty times, then it becomes annoying. Still, the music is well done. Can detract from the atmosphere, though.
12. AA is not broken. I was dicking around with my user file and broke it, but it's good now.
13. Even with the new patch, game can be somewhat buggy. Protip: do not search bodies when the storyline is advanced with PDA/radio chat.
14. Strelok is an asshole.
15. Nights are really dark.
16. Do not pause the game to fuck with DX10 settings, then go back in. There's a good chance graphical corruption will strike. You need to restart.
17. Finding the DX10 mode to be too sluggish? Drop the settings down to the Enhanced Dynamic Lighting mode. All the great sun rays and stuff, but with better performance. Downside is that you lose wet surfaces and volumetric smoke.
Awesome depth of field effects
WET! (looks cooler in motion than it does in screens, especially on the mine cart)
Lighting! Filters!
One of the coolest parts of the game so far was when I was repelling a zombie horde at Yantar. Sun was setting behind the hill, and I watched as the entire valley was cast in a shadow, with muzzle bursts lighting up like fireflies (one of the above shots sort of captures it.)
Other thoughts
1. Upgrade your weapons asap, or you are pretty much fucked. I've found this to be harder than S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
2. Game is longer than I thought it would be. Lots of missions, and the faction stuff is great.
3. Underground stuff has been somewhat trimmed, but it's still in there so don't get too disappointed.
4. Love the guide/fast travel feature, but the prices are a little expensive the further you get in the game.
5. Blow outs are fun.
6. Muggings - This can happen a number of times depending on which way you enter certain maps. I fought back against one with a hail of grenades, but another time it seemed to be story-related, and I was left to dash across a hostile area with no weapons or armor to the safety of my Duty brethern.
7. Bigger firefights in general.
8. Make sure you explore and hunt for artifacts! Some people have talked about how linear the game is, but I have to disagree. And the artifacts fetch a real nice price and will help you afford that exoskeleton you've had your eye on.
9. Dogs - far more deadly and obnoxious than the first one. Fuck, are they killers this time around. And the pseudo-dogs! Argh!
10. Don't be surprised when you have to fight ten snorks at once. Just saying.
11. Dynamic music. Sort of cool the first twenty times, then it becomes annoying. Still, the music is well done. Can detract from the atmosphere, though.
12. AA is not broken. I was dicking around with my user file and broke it, but it's good now.
13. Even with the new patch, game can be somewhat buggy. Protip: do not search bodies when the storyline is advanced with PDA/radio chat.
14. Strelok is an asshole.
15. Nights are really dark.
16. Do not pause the game to fuck with DX10 settings, then go back in. There's a good chance graphical corruption will strike. You need to restart.
17. Finding the DX10 mode to be too sluggish? Drop the settings down to the Enhanced Dynamic Lighting mode. All the great sun rays and stuff, but with better performance. Downside is that you lose wet surfaces and volumetric smoke.
Chiggs
Gold Member
dLMN8R said:
Yeah, the patch is a must. I was telling Dark10X that the game overwhelms you with missions and objectives when you reach the swamp, but that's no longer the case. Also, prior to the patch, whenever I took a screenshot, the system froze for a second. That's fixed as well. Still a little buggy, though.
Bottom line: Get the patch.
Bottom'er line: I like this game quite a bit and the mod scene should be pretty cool. If there is a total conversion to introduce Clear Sky maps into Stalker, and visa versa, we're looking at something pretty amazing. I think it can be done, too.
oh for sure I'll get them - I preordered on Steam so I won't have a choice.
I'm glad to hear that though. The game is beautiful, but seeing as I have an 8800GT, I won't be maxing the game out. Do you think you could check out the game at detail levels closer to the original? I'm wondering if, even turned down, the game still retains some of the new stuff.
I'm glad to hear that though. The game is beautiful, but seeing as I have an 8800GT, I won't be maxing the game out. Do you think you could check out the game at detail levels closer to the original? I'm wondering if, even turned down, the game still retains some of the new stuff.
ah cool. My machine is kinda odd in that my 8800GT is pretty heavily bottlenecked by my very dated opteron 165 w/PC3200 ram, so I guess I'll have to wait and see for myself how it runs. Just a couple more days now 
One more thing - the dynamic music is optional, right? I believe I remember reading that somewhere...just want to make sure.
One more thing - the dynamic music is optional, right? I believe I remember reading that somewhere...just want to make sure.
Chiggs
Gold Member
dLMN8R said:
Yeah, it's optional. I don't know, you might want to give it a shot just to see how you like it. It made me smile a few times. On one occasion I was stumbling through the swamp when I found myself in the position of watching as a gang of 12 bandits were sneaking towards a Clear Sky encampment. All of sudden, this techno starts building to a crest and then goes full force as I open fire.
Sort of cool. Sort of cheesy. Sort of annoying the more you hear it.
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