Gold: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

[TQ]

I was basing my actions on some scripted events that ocurred earlier in the game where I gave NPC's medpacks, healed them and they gave me information or said nice things about me to other stalkers. They would then be about their business, hale and healthy. I thought something similar would happen.

[johnrr6]

I am loving fighting my way to the antennas...

Great firefights----challenging---and I always have to dodge radiation....

Made it to the compound----was pinned down by a couple of snipers in towers.

Noticed a patrol sneaking behind my rear to cut off my line of retreat.

Nine of them----all bunched up on the road about 200 meters behind me.

bunched up----big mistake-----I had picked up an RPG and one round from a fallen monolith guy.....

Put it right in the center of the patrol and got them all! Then looted some needed ammo....

What a great game!!!

[TQ]

I quibble with some of the design decisions, such as endlessly spawning bandits in some areas and the plethora of artifacts, but the game keeps me fascinated even when I die a dozen times trying to accomplish certain goals.
Some of the sounds trigger at the same points (a raven cries at the same place on the road) and often a dog bark that is supposed to sound outside is clearly recorded inside, but that's, as I say, quibbling.
I also think the music sounds just a bit amateurish but none of this keeps me from enjoying myself greatly.
It's the best FPS I've played since F.E.A.R. and, oddly, also has an acronym for a name.
Not that I know what S.T.A.L.K.E.R. actually means...

[TQ]

Originally Posted by johnrr6

Noticed a patrol sneaking behind my rear to cut off my line of retreat.
Nine of them----all bunched up on the road about 200 meters behind me.
bunched up----big mistake-----

Sounds like they didn't have an experienced non-com to keep their sorry butts from getting shot off.

[johnrr6]

Originally Posted by TQ

Sounds like they didn't have an experienced non-com to keep their sorry butts from getting shot off.

Exactly!!!

Heck----I even made my Radioman walk a LONG ways away from me....

Poor kid had to run over to me all the time AND carry the heavy radio....

always good kids....

I've been dragging along this darn BullPup for two levels with no ammo....

May have to "Cache" it somewhere.

but that thing CAN do damage in a hurry....

[TQ]

I haven't gotten any of the good stuff yet. I just got to talk to the bartender for the first time, so maybe I can pick up something interesting doing the Lab mission.

[johnrr6]

Originally Posted by TQ

I haven't gotten any of the good stuff yet. I just got to talk to the bartender for the first time, so maybe I can pick up something interesting doing the Lab mission.

Both the Lab Missions are quite good...

After you finish x-16----if the bunker door won't open so you can talk to Sacharov and get your reward....

Pop a grenade by the front door and it will swing freely...

Will save you hours of wandering around....

although that is kind of fun and interesting too.....

They really did a good job on the maps.....

BIG!!

[TQ]

Yeah, that's one of the things I like best about this game: big maps.

Thanks for the bunker tip!

[zapionics<alt>]

Hi fellow stalkers! I've been away for a week and have missed the 'zone a lot. Cant wait to get back into it.

TQ, about the music; I agree it sounds fairly basic, but this is one of the few FPS games where I have chosen to leave the music playing, it just seems to fit in nicely with the atmosphere somehow.

[TQ]

Oh, I agree. It's just that compared other games that employ an ambient approach to music (F.E.A.R., Thief) S.T.A.L.K.E.R. comes up a bit short to my ears.
With music composition on the PC being as widespread as it is I'd think that finding a better composer would have been fairly easy.
But like I said, it's a quibble. The game is highly entertaining as is.

I just found my first grenade launcher last night. Joy!

[johnrr6]

I'm fighting my way to the Sarcophogus....

Great fight....

am running low on ammo----big time....

I may have to suspend this fight and try to go back to the bar or the Army warehouses to stock up....

but would probably have to fight my way there....and may not have the ammo to do it

a dilemma....

I love this game!

I also love the "thump" of the Tunder S-16----I have "bonded" with that weapon

Very comforting-----it does go through ammo though.....

[TQ]

Originally Posted by johnrr6

I also love the "thump" of the Tunda----I have "bonded" with that weapon

Just like I've bonded with all the Smith & Wesson's in my gun collection.

[johnrr6]

The thing has low recoil----doesn't "climb"

Very high rate of fire----puts a lot of rounds in a tight group.....

handles pretty easily.....

and that "thumping" noise as it fires----I just like it!

My only complaint----it desparately needs a 30 round vice 20 round magazine

and a small scope would be nice....

[shaihulud]

The Draganov is the best sniper rifle in the game till............

My assault rifle of choice was the GP37 for 90% of the game till.............

Curious what is the Tunda?

Glad everyone liked the game too. I really was pleased with the game even with its mistakes that it had,which were many but minor IMO. The music was one of my favorites aspects too and I do usually always disable music in all games. It was perfectly ambient.

[johnrr6]

Originally Posted by shaihulud

Curious what is the Tunda?

I probably used the wrong name---getting old----it is an AR with 20 round capability and a G-Launcher underneath---very high rate of fire----and when fired----it gives a very steady, very fast "thumping" noise----believe it was Soviet design----Picked it up in the Warehouses when I whipped the Duty Squad...

I use it in conjunction with the GP37

Close in---I use it----farther out----the GP37---farther than that---I have an SKv ---with all of 3 rounds left!!!

EDIT----It is the Tunder S-16