Couple of questions about STALKER

[leeland]

OK so I started playing the game, and it looks great as far as the visuals go and everything cranked up!!!

However some of the things about the game play leave a little to be desired and I hope it will get a little better...please enlighten me for others who have logged some time

I am about 4 hours into playing the game and have just started getting automatic weapons with very minimal ammo...

So I got to the part where you had to defend the garbage dump...had about 60 rounds of ammo and the damn gun is SOOOOOOOOOOO inaccurate that you burn up all the ammo trying to kill 1 guy...while they can seemingly unload for extended periods at a time with unlimited ammo, with the kicker being that when you search their body they have like 10 rounds on them at the most

Do you get more accurate weapons or skills as the game progresses?

I am also getting a little irritated about the way the game makes you travel in a linear path to an objective...

If I need to get to someplace to accomplish the task...don't repeatedly run me through checkpoints that I could easily avoid by walking around but can't because of the magic fence that is EVERYWHERE in the game.

you wind up using all your ammo in a fire fight to get past a checkpoint or area only to search the bodies for 20 total rounds of ammo for the automatic weapons...loosing 2/3's of your health in the process


By Far the accuracy issue is pissing me off the most...and the fact that when you kill one bad guy no matter how we covered you are the rest magically know right where you are.

As an example I did the following...


Right away in the beginning of the game you have to get past the railroad overpass that has the train partially derailed on it. It is covered by about 5 or 6 guys. I got around it on the way out but wanted to come back to trade so I decided to scale the bridge and got WAY up on the very top of the bridge.

I was standing on a metal beam and silently dropped a nade down on about 3 of them killing them instantly. I thought that was pretty cool...until some guy runs around the corner and kills me from out of no where. I didn't make a sound, didn't fire a round but the computer AI knew exactly where I was....and was accurate enough to wipe me out in less than 10 seconds...

mind you if I would have gone in guns blazing from that distance I couldn't have hit a pig in the ass with a hand full of rice since the guns are SO inaccurate...

DOES it get any better? Or am I going to be pissed off the entire game that I can sneak up for a great shot and miss from 5 feet away because of the accuracy issues...

Any info is appreciated...

Thanks,
Leeland

 

[Skacer]

You need to work on your aim. I didn't have any trouble of that manner at the garage. Weapons do become more accurate, but it shouldn't be this big of an issue. I left an absolute ton of ammunition at the garage simply because I couldn't carry anymore and got tired of relocating it to my storage location.

 

[leeland]

I should restate my comment...

It isn't like Stevie Wonder is shooting but let me put it another way.

I sneak up on someone...

I am 10 to 15 feet away (in the game world)

I put the sites right on the back of the head (my weapon is in good shape)

I pull the trigger

2/3's of the time I will miss my target ( the head) maybe hit the body or maybe miss all together...

I am not running and gunning...just straight up shooting...


And as far as the ammo ya I got a ass load of hand gun ammo already but only about 100 rounds of automatic rifle ammo...which is what you need when you are taking down 2 - 5 guys...

Christ for instance I got the job of "Stealing The Documents" I rolled into that compound and there are like 13 guys shooting at you...and yet again once you shoot one the rest magically know your location and EVERY movement.

I am trying to not knock the game, I like the idea and want it to hopefully get better...I am just not loving the fact that when I have to travel to some other area I am FORCED to travel through a bottleneck which just happens to have a half dozen guys waiting for me. So I inevitably get in a long range rifle fight trying to kill them which doesn't work out so well (ammo count and accuracy )


P.S. What level are you playing at? I am playing on the second hardest level...which might be half of my issue...

 

[uallas5]

If you're trying to zoom down the iron sites, don't. It's actually less accurate and incredibly frustrating. I only zoom with a scope. And the 1st few automatic weapons are realistically inaccurate on full auto. Take short controlled bursts.

 

[Engraver]

Download some mods for it.

Faiakes (spelling?) compilation mod should fix all the beefs you have with it, except for the fence thing.

Guns are more accurate I believe, and if not, it puts the appropriate files there for you to edit, which I can tell you what to change to make them more accurate.

Enemies see if you if you come at them head on, but if you shoot them from behind they generally don't wise up if you use a silencer.

 

[Canai]

It's a fairly difficult game in the beginning, but it is nice to be challenged a bit.

Mods help a lot, especially with the weight limits

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: uallas5
If you're trying to zoom down the iron sites, don't. It's actually less accurate and incredibly frustrating. I only zoom with a scope. And the 1st few automatic weapons are realistically inaccurate on full auto. Take short controlled bursts.

It is funny you say that because I have noticed that....not only can you NOT see the guy you are shooting at it seems like you never hit them....

Originally posted by: Engraver
Download some mods for it.

Faiakes (spelling?) compilation mod should fix all the beefs you have with it, except for the fence thing.

Guns are more accurate I believe, and if not, it puts the appropriate files there for you to edit, which I can tell you what to change to make them more accurate.

Enemies see if you if you come at them head on, but if you shoot them from behind they generally don't wise up if you use a silencer.

Mods...is it basically a hack to fix all the things that apparently irritate people about the game? or is it a totally different part of the game that gets created?

I guess the only thing I would like to see different is the weapons to be a little more accurate...I don't care that the AI is tough but in some points they are down right STUPID...

I agree totally with you that if you are "behind" them they are too stupid to turn around sometimes even though you are hitting them (which to me is a bad part of the game) I am a little let down when the AI is that basic...

granted when they are engaged with you they get behind cover...however they magically become snipers at the same time

 

[Dacalo]

I beat it on hard, and in the beginning, it was really difficult due to low ammo. Hell, even hand gun ammos were hard to come by. I also didn't know there was a suit hidden in the starting area. Use cover and lure the enemies. The game gets much easier as you progress and get some decent weapons.

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
I beat it on hard, and in the beginning, it was really difficult due to low ammo. Hell, even hand gun ammos were hard to come by. I also didn't know there was a suit hidden in the starting area. Use cover and lure the enemies. The game gets much easier as you progress and get some decent weapons.

Glad to hear it...and I guess just like any game you have to learn how to adapt to the game play...



When you speak of a suit what kind of suit and where? by the original beginning trador dude who apparently made you his beatch???

 

[Engraver]

If I remember correctly, the default range that enemy npcs can pick you up is quite ridiculous, think it was somewhere between 500m-1000m. The mod I suggested has several "cheat" type mods but you can delete what you don't want and keep the good stuff like real weapon names, more accurate weapons. It also has the repair mod for fixing your weapons and no-degrade mods if you get tired of that.

 

[thecrecarc]

Your bad at aiming. Although i someones have ammo problems, i usally can drop a person with 10 rounds at most if i aim correctly.


However, i am totally lost on how u kill those psionic controller mutants. I usually die right away when i meet any of them. I also can't find Strelok's stash

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: thecrecarc
Your bad at aiming. Although i someones have ammo problems, i usally can drop a person with 10 rounds at most if i aim correctly.


However, i am totally lost on how u kill those psionic controller mutants. I usually die right away when i meet any of them. I also can't find Strelok's stash

I think it is funny when people can pass judgment on someone else when they don't know anything about them...

because I am not able to hit anything I apparently can't aim...even though the cross hairs can be on a target and I can visually see the bullet or bullets hitting around the target.

As I listed in my previous post, I was questioning the level of accuracy and whether it is be the character, the weapon, the difficulty level I selected or some combo of all of them that is the result of the very inaccurate shooting...

I was hoping that it will get better

 

[Engraver]

It is hard to aim when you first start playing, since lots of times the gun sight blocks most of your vision while trying to aim until you get used to it.

Once you get a weapon with a scope, or is scope mountable, it gets a lot easier to pick people off. Early on a gun that I liked is the Toz-34, I forget what the spoof name Stalker has for it. It is the elephant gun that only costs like 1000. Buckshot ammo is also plentiful early on, and it is pretty much an instant kill if you are anywhere near the target with it. Only real drawback is it only holds 2 shells.

A fairly good assault rifle with a scope is the Sniper Obokan, which is really like an AK74 or something. It has decent accuracy, and will hold over till you can afford a FN2000, I forget what the in-game name is for it since I always use the real weapon name mod. It is solid grey and looks rather large on the icon. Has a built in scope and grenade launcher and costs like 35,000.

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: Engraver
It is hard to aim when you first start playing, since lots of times the gun sight blocks most of your vision while trying to aim until you get used to it.

Once you get a weapon with a scope, or is scope mountable, it gets a lot easier to pick people off. Early on a gun that I liked is the Toz-34, I forget what the spoof name Stalker has for it. It is the elephant gun that only costs like 1000. Buckshot ammo is also plentiful early on, and it is pretty much an instant kill if you are anywhere near the target with it. Only real drawback is it only holds 2 shells.

A fairly good assault rifle with a scope is the Sniper Obokan, which is really like an AK74 or something. It has decent accuracy, and will hold over till you can afford a FN2000, I forget what the in-game name is for it since I always use the real weapon name mod. It is solid grey and looks rather large on the icon. Has a built in scope and grenade launcher and costs like 35,000.

On average what is the length of time you would say it takes to progress to that point in the game? I might just scrap what I have accomplished so far since i have a decent feel now for the game.

For those who have beaten the game...how many hours did play?

 

[Jeeebus]

Originally posted by: thecrecarc
Your bad at aiming. Although i someones have ammo problems, i usally can drop a person with 10 rounds at most if i aim correctly.


However, i am totally lost on how u kill those psionic controller mutants. I usually die right away when i meet any of them. I also can't find Strelok's stash

Switch to your combat knife and run straight at them. Game over for mind controller. They only hurt you when you try to get a fix on them with your gun. Once that happens, you're pretty much S.O.L.

If I remember right, Strelok's stash is up some random ladder in the underground area. Don't remember it being hidden or anything.

 

[Jeeebus]

as already said, mods can make the game much more enjoyable, especially the no-degrade mod (I :heart: my SEVA suit and would be loath to think of it degrading on me) and the ammo mod that stocks up all the vendors with lots of different ammo.

A weapon with an actual scope and a decent piece of armor makes an absolute world of difference. You almost feel bad for bandits and lesser military types later in the game. I'd say once you get to the Duty camp/Freedom camp you should have a decent stockade.

Hard to say when you'd get a scope on a gun, as there's the occasional random guy who is using a scope you can take.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: leeland

Originally posted by: Dacalo
I beat it on hard, and in the beginning, it was really difficult due to low ammo. Hell, even hand gun ammos were hard to come by. I also didn't know there was a suit hidden in the starting area. Use cover and lure the enemies. The game gets much easier as you progress and get some decent weapons.

Glad to hear it...and I guess just like any game you have to learn how to adapt to the game play...



When you speak of a suit what kind of suit and where? by the original beginning trador dude who apparently made you his beatch???

There is a hidden stash in the beginning where you can find a good suit that will protect you. It's hidden in that camp where you begin, in one of the rooftops.

The reason the aim so off is because this game has a realistic gun engine. Just because you have your aim dead on an enemy's head does not mean you will hit him. Also, your guns have a limited range. The bullet will pull down due to gravity as it is fired.

However, later in the game, you will run into higher tier assault and sniper rifles that will ameliorate this problem. I found myself killing most enemies with 1-2 shot burts, aiming for the head.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

The GP 37 is also a fantastic gun. A lot of the later guns just rock so tough out what you can for now. I still think the AK's are crap.

 

[RedBeard]

Towards the beginning, you need to pass a military check point. You can simply avoid them all together by going over the tracks.
There isn't any reason you should be able to defeat them easily or at all.

In the garbage defense mission, I recommend the shot gun. Run up and hide behind a car/bus. Wait till they get close. The leader tells you to hold your fire till they get close, do that.

I have found for the pistols and sub machines that I am better off NOT using the zoom. Not sure why.

 

[chocobaR]

The accuracy doesn't really get better. Some guns have better accuracy than others but it doesn't really seem to change much. Some guns you'll find have 1-2-3 bullet bursts. 2 bullet bursts seem to be the most effective to me.

Also with the enemies, never let them get close to you. They hurt a lot in close range, even with the Stalker difficulty level. In long range, they seem to have crappy accuracy like you.

A thing I hate is grabbing guns on the ground, unloading them of their ammo, then putting them back on the ground. Really annoying when you just wiped 20 guys. You spend 5 minutes going from corpse to corpse, grabbing the ammo left in their guns.

 

[imported_Imp]

Once you make it to the Bar, it gets a lot better. Maybe it's the better guns, maybe your skill improves or maybe you get used to it, who knows. If you tough it out, shooting will get a lot easier and be like any other game.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Like others have said, don't use iron sights on your AK and do short bursts instead of going Rambo. To avoid being seen stick to the bushes and crouch when there's nothing to conceal you.

Originally posted by: leeland
On average what is the length of time you would say it takes to progress to that point in the game? I might just scrap what I have accomplished so far since i have a decent feel now for the game.

For those who have beaten the game...how many hours did play?

To get to the bar I'd say it takes maybe 10 to 15 hours if you find Strelok's stash, kill a good number of mutants and bandits, collect plenty of artifacts, and do most of the missions before that point. Once you get the TR301 sniper edition rifle the game becomes much easier, with most human enemies dropping with just one or two bullets from it.

It took me 36 hours to beat the game, but I did a lot of subquests multiple times and just in general enjoyed exploring places and looting stashes, so it may be more or less depending on how you play. This was on Stalker difficulty, for what it's worth.

 

[Skacer]

A lot of the mods people are discussing are cheats. I would stick to the vanilla game or look for mods that only add more realism to the game. Degrading armor and weapon inaccuracies are part of the challenge. A lot of people suggest turning the crosshair off for added realism. It is true that you can aim better with it, but it is also easy. It is much better to use the iron sights as it adds a lot to the game.

I would make sure your game difficulty is set properly, as I remember it can sometimes default back to the highest difficulty even after you set something different at start. Just check it in options and be sure it is where you want it.

The weapons do get more accurate later on, but you shouldn't have any problem with automatic weapon ammo once you reach the garage unless you've got a poor shot. I barely ever used my pistol beyond that point. What makes the later weapons rewarding is that they are a continual improvement over the older stuff. If you mod or break the old weapons then you ruin some of the natural progression of the game.

The document steal mission is not meant to be done through the front door, although the sewer entrance can be just as dangerous, it simply takes a few tries from what I recall.

Oh and last but not least, make use of the single shot setting on automatic weapons when you want to do some long range shooting (where available). Sniper rifles will eventually open up to you and become your definitive long range killing.

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: Skacer
A lot of the mods people are discussing are cheats. I would stick to the vanilla game or look for mods that only add more realism to the game. Degrading armor and weapon inaccuracies are part of the challenge. A lot of people suggest turning the crosshair off for added realism. It is true that you can aim better with it, but it is also easy. It is much better to use the iron sights as it adds a lot to the game.

I would make sure your game difficulty is set properly, as I remember it can sometimes default back to the highest difficulty even after you set something different at start. Just check it in options and be sure it is where you want it.

The weapons do get more accurate later on, but you shouldn't have any problem with automatic weapon ammo once you reach the garage unless you've got a poor shot. I barely ever used my pistol beyond that point. What makes the later weapons rewarding is that they are a continual improvement over the older stuff. If you mod or break the old weapons then you ruin some of the natural progression of the game.

The document steal mission is not meant to be done through the front door, although the sewer entrance can be just as dangerous, it simply takes a few tries from what I recall.

Oh and last but not least, make use of the single shot setting on automatic weapons when you want to do some long range shooting (where available). Sniper rifles will eventually open up to you and become your definitive long range killing.

Thanks Skacer...I will finally get some time to sit down tonight and play a little bit.

I found a pretty sweat website that goes into detail with the story and everything else associated with the game which helped out a lot.

LINK

Thanks again,

Leeland

 

[LintMan]

With all the Stalker mod discussion here, let me ask my question: do mods take effect in existing games, or do you have to start a new game?

I ask because I just started playing and know I'll likely want to try some mods later, but if I have to start from scratch to use them, I'll add the mods in now.