S.T.A.L.K.E.R has gone gold

[Hadsus]

Price alert! Fry's has it listed in the circular this morning for $29.....I've matched them many times at Walmart. Too late for me as I downloaded it from Direct2Drive last nite. (At least they don't charge you tax.)

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Hadsus
Price alert! Fry's has it listed in the circular this morning for $29.....I've matched them many times at Walmart. Too late for me as I downloaded it from Direct2Drive last nite. (At least they don't charge you tax.)

yeah and they're out of stock too.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: elbosco

Originally posted by: pontifex

i also need help of you guys can give it. i'm supposed to hey a pseudodog tail. where the hell can i find one? i fought several dog like creatures and one different dog type critter near a tunnel entrance that was near the vest, but none of them had a pseudodog tail. i got other tails, but not the one for the quest. nothing shows up on the PDA for a location either.

Talk to Nimbler and he'll give you a mission to find the "perfect suit" in the tunnel behind the bandits' warehouse. The suit's guarded by a pseudodog. Kill it and search the corpse for a tail. If not, just walk around killing similar creatures and one is bound to have the tail.

yeah, that dog didn't have anything on it. where else might i fin another dog like that? thats the only one i've seen so far.

 

[VashHT]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
jesus, I can barely run the game on a x1950xt. Have these guys ever heard of optimization?

Dynamic lighting set to object, Graphic settings at low, 1680x1050, and it's a slideshow. Even with AA/AF turned off. WTF?

gotta be your PC, I run it at 1680x1050 preset to maximum on my x1900xtx and it runs perfectly smooth. I even turned up AA and object quality and it still runs well.

 

[pontifex]

oh, i just remembered something. i don't know if this is the game or if its FRAPS, since I only installed FRAPS for the 1st time last night.

in the bottom right hand corner, below where my health and stuff is, there is what looks like a floppy disk that shows up and flashes every now and then.

is that the game or FRAPS and what is it for?

 

[marmasatt]

I don't know what that is either. But it's not FRAPS as I get it and I'm not using FRAPS. I actually get it when I'm trying to change Ammo types. Wrong binding perhaps?

Off topic - Sewer level is actually pretty good. Not going to get better graphics than what I'm looking at right now (7900GS) - at an indoor level anyway...

 

[pontifex]

i want to run this game with better graphics/performance but not sure what i should do.

my system:

Athlon 64 3700+ @ stock speed
EVGA 7800GT 256 mb @ stock speed
2 GB of value ram.

I was thinking about upgrading to a dual core CPU and/or getting another video card to SLI or would I be better off just getting a single 7900 series or 8800 series card?

 

[apoppin]

so ... it is turning out to be a pretty good game ... after all


you're PCIe, right? ... pontifex

get another GT for SLI IF it is *cheap* .... or just go for the gold with an 8800GTX

forget dual-core for STALKER ... *OC* your CPU

GOOD GOD ... you are at stock speeds?!? !!
:Q

OC *both* your CPU and 7900 ... right Now!! - especially the 'GT'
- it's call FREE performance increases ... just don't get too carried away with upping voltage.
:shocked:

try that *first* ... it'll give you an idea what to expect and after trying it you *probably* don't need an upgrade

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: apoppin
so ... it is turning out to be a pretty good game ... after all


you're PCIe, right? ... pontifex

get another GT for SLI IF it is *cheap* .... or just go for the gold with an 8800GTX

forget dual-core for STALKER ... *OC* your CPU

GOOD GOD ... you are at stock speeds?!? !!
:Q

OC *both* your CPU and 7900 ... right Now!! - especially the 'GT'
- it's call FREE performance increases ... just don't get too carried away with upping voltage.
:shocked:

try that *first* ... it'll give you an idea what to expect and after trying it you *probably* don't need an upgrade

well the problem with SLI is that i can't seem to find a straight 7800GT in the normal stores like newegg. they only seem to make GS and GTX cards in the 7800 series.

i have tried to overclock before but i can't figure out how to do it. every time i looked at some kind of guide, it was totally different than what my system had for bios settings.

i'm also scared that i'll mess something up and fry my equipment.

i found a EVGA 8800 GTS for $259.99 after rebate. thats not too bad i guess. i think thats less than I paid for my 7800GT.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: apoppin
so ... it is turning out to be a pretty good game ... after all


you're PCIe, right? ... pontifex

get another GT for SLI IF it is *cheap* .... or just go for the gold with an 8800GTX

forget dual-core for STALKER ... *OC* your CPU

GOOD GOD ... you are at stock speeds?!? !!
:Q

OC *both* your CPU and 7900 ... right Now!! - especially the 'GT'
- it's call FREE performance increases ... just don't get too carried away with upping voltage.
:shocked:

try that *first* ... it'll give you an idea what to expect and after trying it you *probably* don't need an upgrade

well the problem with SLI is that i can't seem to find a straight 7800GT in the normal stores like newegg. they only seem to make GS and GTX cards in the 7800 series.

i have tried to overclock before but i can't figure out how to do it. every time i looked at some kind of guide, it was totally different than what my system had for bios settings.

i'm also scared that i'll mess something up and fry my equipment.

i found a EVGA 8800 GTS for $259.99 after rebate. thats not too bad i guess. i think thats less than I paid for my 7800GT.

i *swear* there is NOTHING to it

much easier than either building a computer or editing .ini files
--and it is NOT dangerous ... if you follow certain guidelines

for your sake ... educate yourself ... really

*START HERE* the guys there are less aggressive than video and helpful

CPU/PROCESSORS AND OVERCLOCKING

start a thread about your rig ... i am now active there OC'ing my new P43.4EE [made 3.8Ghz ... but don't like extra voltage so am playing it *safe* with 3.75Ghz ] i will look into it tonight after work

and of course, BEFORE you start your new thread, read the stickied threads and oc'ing general guides so you "look" a little experienced

especially the quick 'n dirty Athlon OCing guide thread

the time you take is SO worth it ,,, it is about the only thing "free" in HW ,,, still a genuine bargain for very little risk

gotta RUN for work ... laters

 

[JSt0rm]

This game is so good. It has everything and it is hard. I played cal-m rtcw and never find a challenge in single player games but with this- gun jams, bullet physics, soldiers with actual flak vests that work. Yes you need armor piercing rounds to get into that armor. Some people here seem to think you should just dominate the game world from the start. There is no level balance like in oblivion. If you fight soldiers thay are tough.

Also somebody talked about how easy they mind control guy was to beat. Yes this is true but I think this was a introduction to the enemy. Imagine how bad he would destroy you in a mixed enemy squad. Maybe with the tenticle creature as well. I'm lovin it. I just got a upgraded version of the ak47. This makes me think that you can find more accurate weapons as you go thru the game and develope a fighting style that you want based on the weapons you choose.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: apoppin
so ... it is turning out to be a pretty good game ... after all


you're PCIe, right? ... pontifex

get another GT for SLI IF it is *cheap* .... or just go for the gold with an 8800GTX

forget dual-core for STALKER ... *OC* your CPU

GOOD GOD ... you are at stock speeds?!? !!
:Q

OC *both* your CPU and 7900 ... right Now!! - especially the 'GT'
- it's call FREE performance increases ... just don't get too carried away with upping voltage.
:shocked:

try that *first* ... it'll give you an idea what to expect and after trying it you *probably* don't need an upgrade

well the problem with SLI is that i can't seem to find a straight 7800GT in the normal stores like newegg. they only seem to make GS and GTX cards in the 7800 series.

i have tried to overclock before but i can't figure out how to do it. every time i looked at some kind of guide, it was totally different than what my system had for bios settings.

i'm also scared that i'll mess something up and fry my equipment.

i found a EVGA 8800 GTS for $259.99 after rebate. thats not too bad i guess. i think thats less than I paid for my 7800GT.

i *swear* there is NOTHING to it

much easier than either building a computer or editing .ini files
--and it is NOT dangerous ... if you follow certain guidelines

for your sake ... educate yourself ... really

*START HERE* the guys there are less aggressive than video and helpful

CPU/PROCESSORS AND OVERCLOCKING

start a thread about your rig ... i am now active there OC'ing my new P43.4EE [made 3.8Ghz ... but don't like extra voltage so am playing it *safe* with 3.75Ghz ] i will look into it tonight after work

and of course, BEFORE you start your new thread, read the stickied threads and oc'ing general guides so you "look" a little experienced

especially the quick 'n dirty Athlon OCing guide thread

the time you take is SO worth it ,,, it is about the only thing "free" in HW ,,, still a genuine bargain for very little risk

gotta RUN for work ... laters

i swear i must be retarded when it comes to overclocking because i have tried several time before but i can't figure out how to do it. they say change setting X to this. well, i don't have a setting X or anything that even looks remotely close to it.

that quick and dirty OC guide is what i used before and my bios does not have the same settings they have listed in the guide.

i would like to OC to get better performance but i just can't figure it out.

it also seems to take a lot of time to do this, especially if you want to test it to make sure its stable. i don't really wantt to waste that much time.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: JSt0rm01
This game is so good. It has everything and it is hard. I played cal-m rtcw and never find a challenge in single player games but with this- gun jams, bullet physics, soldiers with actual flak vests that work. Yes you need armor piercing rounds to get into that armor. Some people here seem to think you should just dominate the game world from the start. There is no level balance like in oblivion. If you fight soldiers thay are tough.

I guess it's just me then. I've no problem with a game being difficult, but I think it's well over the line of the annoying type of difficult rather than the fun and challenging type of difficult. I never got a sense of accomplishment from defeating the enemies, only a relief that they're dead and I can finally move on. The entire concept of quicksave is rather revolting to me - a good game shouldnt require you to have to use such an arcane mechanic in order to progress - the challenge should be natural, not artificial.

For a game thats supposedly open ended, I still don't feel any sort of freedom in how I'm progressing. With HL2 and many other games, you had numerous strategies of how you could down enemies, and how to tackle a particular scenario. This is just shoot at their heads with guns that differ rather slightly in accuracy and power. (To be expected in a realistic game, of course) Sure, AP rounds work, but theyre few and far between.

Also somebody talked about how easy they mind control guy was to beat. Yes this is true but I think this was a introduction to the enemy. Imagine how bad he would destroy you in a mixed enemy squad. Maybe with the tenticle creature as well. I'm lovin it. I just got a upgraded version of the ak47. This makes me think that you can find more accurate weapons as you go thru the game and develope a fighting style that you want based on the weapons you choose.

Well, even if it was an intro, I found it rather pointless and absurd.

I found an upgraded AK47 which is near the top of the accuracy scale, and it certainly shoots straighter, but it still hasnt really changed the core gameplay of hide behind something and duck while shooting. I've yet to encounter more than one or two situations when there was any tactical advantage to doing anything but taking shots at their head from afar.

In the part where you are traversing the building before entering the lab, there is a rather entertaining segment where you are fighting through a building full of bandits. You are full of SMG ammo from just having been to town, and the enemies are not fully armored, yet outnumber you and come from everywhere. The building was well designed, and for those few minutes, I was certainly having a good time - there was plenty of cover to jump behind and plenty of angles to shoot and be shot from. But those moments have been few and far between.

With some tweaking to the mechanics of the game (shooting, PDA and inventory), I could easily forgive the storyline and call it a good game, but it still strikes me as a game with good ideas and bad execution.

 

[JSt0rm]

I like the fact that the inventory is real time. It makes you have to think about when you are inspecting your stuff and you can get caught with your pants down sometimes. I was checking my inventory (im so weighed down with ammo) and a patrol stumbled onto me. I freaked and got out of the screen and took care of them. But it was fun in that startled kind of way

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: JSt0rm01
I like the fact that the inventory is real time. It makes you have to think about when you are inspecting your stuff and you can get caught with your pants down sometimes. I was checking my inventory (im so weighed down with ammo) and a patrol stumbled onto me. I freaked and got out of the screen and took care of them. But it was fun in that startled kind of way

in the 1st camp, the one building has an empty stash box in the attic section. i throw all my extra extra guns, ammo, and supplies in there.

i hate how you can't trade guns to the random guys out in the field. would be so nice to unload some of that stuff.

i need to find some more 9x19 ammo for my viper 9. i only have 29 rounds which is what it had when i found it.

the main trader said something about another camp like theirs, i wonder if they have different items to trade.

 

[coloumb]

Originally posted by: pontifex


i need to find some more 9x19 ammo for my viper 9. i only have 29 rounds which is what it had when i found it.

the main trader said something about another camp like theirs, i wonder if they have different items to trade.

/agree

I've given this game a 2nd chance and I'm starting to really like it [mainly because I have better weapons now].

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: coloumb

Originally posted by: pontifex


i need to find some more 9x19 ammo for my viper 9. i only have 29 rounds which is what it had when i found it.

the main trader said something about another camp like theirs, i wonder if they have different items to trade.

/agree

I've given this game a 2nd chance and I'm starting to really like it [mainly because I have better weapons now].

Same here im also giving the game a 2nd chance, i just cant get over how dated the graphics look. Gameplay still needs work.

 

[Alienwho]

Where are you guys finding all the good weapons? I'm at the garbage level and i'm still packing the lame beginning pistol as my main weapon. I've got a sawed off and some automatic weapons, but where are you getting the cool stuff like a silencer and how do I upgrade my weapons?

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Alienwho
Where are you guys finding all the good weapons? I'm at the garbage level and i'm still packing the lame beginning pistol as my main weapon. I've got a sawed off and some automatic weapons, but where are you getting the cool stuff like a silencer and how do I upgrade my weapons?

I found the silenced pistol fairly early. Its pretty damn useless though.

You find the weapons off the the people you fight. By garbage youve prob found the mp5 and ak47. In a military base later you might find the prototype long range ak47...a little bit later you'll end up doing a mission that nets you a scope you can attach to the AK.

Soon enough youll reach another very large camp - the trader there will have massive amounts of ammo, although its mostly standard, not AP. Thats really hard to come by.

 

[TheRyuu]

I'm not sure, but is anyone having trouble getting AA/AF to work?

To me it seems like neither are working.

 

[Alienwho]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Alienwho
Where are you guys finding all the good weapons? I'm at the garbage level and i'm still packing the lame beginning pistol as my main weapon. I've got a sawed off and some automatic weapons, but where are you getting the cool stuff like a silencer and how do I upgrade my weapons?

I found the silenced pistol fairly early. Its pretty damn useless though.

You find the weapons off the the people you fight. By garbage youve prob found the mp5 and ak47. In a military base later you might find the prototype long range ak47...a little bit later you'll end up doing a mission that nets you a scope you can attach to the AK.

Soon enough youll reach another very large camp - the trader there will have massive amounts of ammo, although its mostly standard, not AP. Thats really hard to come by.

Would it be worth me going back down to the first zone and doing some exploring? I have basically just been following the arrows and the main storyline. In the garbage area i've kind of started wandering around, mostly just trying to find away around th bandits.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Alienwho

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Alienwho
Where are you guys finding all the good weapons? I'm at the garbage level and i'm still packing the lame beginning pistol as my main weapon. I've got a sawed off and some automatic weapons, but where are you getting the cool stuff like a silencer and how do I upgrade my weapons?

I found the silenced pistol fairly early. Its pretty damn useless though.

You find the weapons off the the people you fight. By garbage youve prob found the mp5 and ak47. In a military base later you might find the prototype long range ak47...a little bit later you'll end up doing a mission that nets you a scope you can attach to the AK.

Soon enough youll reach another very large camp - the trader there will have massive amounts of ammo, although its mostly standard, not AP. Thats really hard to come by.

Would it be worth me going back down to the first zone and doing some exploring? I have basically just been following the arrows and the main storyline. In the garbage area i've kind of started wandering around, mostly just trying to find away around th bandits.

Considering the game doesnt even become slightly enjoyable until you get a bit further in, I'd certainly recommend against that. There really isnt much to find item wise exploring anyway - you'll be far better off quicksaving and trying to take down a few dudes with better weapons by sheer luck, so you actually have something useful to use.

And if you must wander, keep your finger near F6, just in case you run into radiation - if you're out of anti-rad you've got to drink vodka, and good luck shooting while drunk.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: wizboy11
I'm not sure, but is anyone having trouble getting AA/AF to work?

To me it seems like neither are working.

I think its just the game's graphics.

 

[Fallengod]

Not to add to the flaws but, has anyone else noticed how pointless money is in the game? Doing sidequests and such are supposed to be for money, but what is the point if there is nothing to buy. I now have like 200,000 and there really is nobody to buy anything from thats useful. : /

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Fallengod
Not to add to the flaws but, has anyone else noticed how pointless money is in the game? Doing sidequests and such are supposed to be for money, but what is the point if there is nothing to buy. I now have like 200,000 and there really is nobody to buy anything from thats useful. : /

Buy as much ammo as you can carry, so you can spend more time playing and less time clicking icons on dead bodies.