S.T.A.L.K.E.R Part 3.0
To conclude my short article on S.T.A.L.K.E.R I’ll start by saying that THQ and more specifically, the developers Game World have a lot to answer for if the rumours are true - apparently there are Doom 3 and Half-Life 2 textures within the game.
But, many have pointed out that developers use textures from other games as a fill-in until their textures are complete. It appears to be more of a mistake than deliberate.
Looking at the game itself, I was pleased to find that it ran smoothly at 1280×1024 at pretty much high-maximum settings on my rig. However, after applying the 1.001 patch, I found that my frame-rate dropped to an almost unplayable rate. After spending 20 minutes or so experimenting, I ended up with high settings at 1280×1024 but with standard (DX8) lighting. No more nice sunshine shining through the gaps in old rickety buildings; no more flames leaping at me as I pass a campfire.
It’s a pity, though perhaps the next patch will sort out the performance issues - otherwise I’ll be looking into an 8800 series sooner than I expected.
The storyline appears to be taking shape, even after only a few hours of gameplay. Actually, if you install the 1.001 patch, all previous saves are null and void, requiring you to start afresh. So, whereas I’ve probably spent 5 hours in total so far, it amounts to around 1 hour actual progression since this morning.
My only disappointment with the game is that all the side-missions seem to echo the run-of-the-mill rpg missions you see in SWG and the like. Go here, destroy this lair; go there, deliver this package; find this, return it to me. They’ll probably become more apparent as the game progresses - and at least they’re allowing me to pick up a nice stash of weapons, med kits and cool items (Russian Vodka anyone?).
I’m enjoying S.T.A.L.K.E.R a lot more than I expected and it’s more addictive than the aforementioned Oblivion. Only time will tell if I like it enough to complete it…
April 13th, 2007 at 8:11 am
How come you patched it anyway? For bugs & performance?
I think it funny they ripped off textures, its weird because when I 1st saw the game I thought looks like HL2 wall texture on the video. This game was made by eastern europe rambos innit.
April 13th, 2007 at 8:28 am
i READ THIS OFF A FORUM “If you installed the patch and you want to continue your saved game simply move the save file to a different location then uninstall/reinstall The Game. Do not reinstall the patch just play it on version 1.000 there are no updates to singles player in it.”
April 13th, 2007 at 8:32 am
^IGNORE DELETE THIS COMMENT its bullshoot.
April 13th, 2007 at 10:05 am
I’ll leave it as bullshit is funny.
I may re-install the game, but chances are a patch will come out in the near future, which will replace the 1.001.
And I don’t know what forum you read, but the patch quite clearly has updates for the single player too - mainly issues with missions. I don’t want to take a mission to find it’s buggy as it’ll confuse me to shit.
April 13th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Was from some lunatic forum after I googled it. I wanted to find the patch release notes. Most of them are saying they had much improved performance. Was that just XP users?