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From: Justisaur <justisaur@yahoo.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action
Subject: Re: STALKER 2 nears...
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2024 10:19:30 -0700
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On 7/26/2024 3:06 AM, JAB wrote:
> On 25/07/2024 16:24, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
>>
>> STALKER 2 has a release date. September 5th, to be exact. (I don't
>> know exactly when this was first announced, but it's news to me) but
>> it's September 5th of this year. That's right around the corner!
>>
>> I'm not /incredibly/ excited about the game, but I can't say I'm
>> entirely without interest either. I didn't adore the first STALKER
>> like did so many others; it was unpolished, its AI didn't live up to
>> the hype, the difficulty curve was incredibly uneven, and the overall
>> experience was spotty. Still, you could see the brilliance of the game
>> lying underneath, and even if I didn't really enjoy playing it, I
>> could admire STALKER for its ambitions. Not to mention its dour,
>> Slavic mood and setting. "Clear Sky" and "Call of Pripyat" were gave
>> this original formula a much needed polish; they still had a lot of
>> rough edges but were more streamlined, more fun experiences overall.
>>
>> I can't deny that the politics surrounding STALKER 2 aren't
>> influencing me either. Developed by a Ukranian team, I'd probably buy
>> the game just to show my support of their struggle in the real world.
>> That they've actually managed to get the game (nearly) out the door at
>> all is a miracle (even if most of the actual development is taking
>> place in Czechia).
>>
>> That said, from what little I've seen of STALKER 2, I can't say it's
>> left me very impressed. Sure, it looks prettier, but it also feels
>> blander. I'm not sure this is entirely the fault of the developers;
>> the original STALKER stood out because there were few games that did
>> what it did, were set where it was set. Nowadays, there are dozens of
>> FPS/survival games that ape the original's formula, and the sequel
>> lacks that feeling of novelty because of it. But overall, watching the
>> STALKER 2 trailers, I'm reminded a lot more of "Call of Duty" than its
>> predecessors.
>>
>> I'll still get the game, though; I'll still play the sequel. Given the
>> real-life situation, I may even break my own rule and buy the game day
>> one.
>>
>> Anyway, it's only a month (and a little bit) to go. After twelve
>> years, what's a few more weeks?
>>
> 
> I'm interested, with a touch of excitement, but like you it is one of 
> those games that stood out so much due to it wasn't like a standard FPS 
> in either it's gameplay or setting. It's always been a problem if you 
> have a game where part of the enjoyment is that's it's refreshing. A 
> sequel just can't replicate that.
> 
> It's was certainly somewhat unpolished, to say the least, although the 
> compliant about the AI kinda passed by my at the time as I wasn't, and 
> still aren't, really into following games news. If I had to pick one 
> thing that was the most negative it would be the 'aggressive' re-spawns. 
> I still have nightmares over the rail yard acting as a transition point 
> between areas. Did no one think is it really a good idea to make the 
> player fight a hard battle every single time.
> 

I don't remember anything about the AI either.  I liked the rail yard. 
I thought it was genius so you really had to think about if you wanted 
to go back or not.  (All assuming I'm remembering correctly, it's been 
awhile.)

> Overall though, I very much enjoyed it with the combat being more than 
> just run in guns blazing and how it captured a feeling of exploring a 
> desolate, almost alien, wasteland with an RPG like feel to the whole 
> experience.

> So I'll definitely take a look at 2 but a lot of that will be dependent 
> on reviews and also a bit of a dabble with let's play videos just to try 
> and confirm it's a game for me. Alternatively, I may just buy it and 
> rely on Steams two hour rule!

I probably won't buy it.  I was never really into FPSs (though I liked 
it better than most) and what I heard about the following 
games/dlcs/remasters or whatever they were never struck me as anything 
warrenting a play enough to a actually do so, though I thought I would 
at some point it's been a long time and I think the time has passed.

If somehow it turns out to be an amazing highly rated game I may try it.

-- 
-Justisaur

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