Stalker 2 is looking great.

[FoulOnWhite]

New trailer for stalker 2, in game footage and it is looking very nice. I have been waiting for this and looks like it will be worth it.

 

[Launcestonian]

Great, I remember Stalker 1 back in the day, playing it on a core2 duo system!
Just hope they offer 21:9 format for your monitor out of the box. The immersion will be... nerve racking.

 

[droopyRO]

I wishlisted it on GOG a long time ago, hope the wait will be worth it. But, from that trailer it seems to be a bit more on the Metro 2033 side, with QTE and a lot of hand holding. Meh, we will find out in about three months, that is, if they don't delay it to Christmas again

 

[Vayra86]

I wishlisted it on GOG a long time ago, hope the wait will be worth it. But, from that trailer it seems to be a bit more on the Metro 2033 side, with QTE and a lot of hand holding. Meh, we will find out in about three months, that is, if they don't delay it to Christmas again

I really hope they didn't make this a casual piece of shit. This game needs to throw surprises at you, immerse you and allow you to land yourself in impossible situations. Trial and error was its strength...

 

[Splinterdog]

I wishlisted it on GOG a long time ago, hope the wait will be worth it. But, from that trailer it seems to be a bit more on the Metro 2033 side, with QTE and a lot of hand holding. Meh, we will find out in about three months, that is, if they don't delay it to Christmas again

QTE? Are you serious?
Quick Time Events? They are so 90s!

 

[dirtyferret]

Quick Time Events? They are so 90s!

muck like Zubaz pants, some 90's things never go out of style!

 

[Event Horizon]

Needs less cutscene and more cheeki breeki.

 

[droopyRO]

Needs less cutscene

Exactly. It's been 10 years since i played STALKER, but there were few cutscenes and i don't think there were any QTE's like Metro had, i hope they keep those to a minimum or zero.

 

[#22]

I really hope they didn't make this a casual piece of shit. This game needs to throw surprises at you, immerse you and allow you to land yourself in impossible situations. Trial and error was its strength...

Exactly this will make or break this game for me :] It's just needs to be more sim, survival than typical sandbox. Simply like original games. If it's like that, anything could be customisable, possible to turn off or make easier to please casuals too. But it may not work opposite direction. Like I love awfuly casual Far Cry series since 3, but only played my way: highest difficulty; all hud except of health bar off; not using/upgrading anything making things easier. Then those games are the best sandbox shooters with great and purely essential stealth and combat. The only problem is, each game has one or two missions definitely not meant to be played like that, making them absurdly hard. One or two is not a problem, especially when you can always lower difficulty, but it could be ten or few tens, so definitely not working.


QTE may serve well immersion with some nicely thought out controls. Rather gone are the times of them having extremely short reaction time and needing to repeat or, even worse, memorize them... like in this beautiful classic with QTE feeling like some bad joke:

 

[Ahhzz]

An update from the Devs, looking forward to Aug 12: Deep Dive with the Devs. Love this vid heheh
Update

 

[regeesfu]

it has not been confirmed yet but the release is scheduled for 2025 ☺

 

[Darkholm]

I am hoping for all original locations e.g Yanov station and Quarry, Jupiter plant, X-Labs, Cordon and ofc Pripyat + CNPP.

 

[#22]

As I generally think, I would like to see all games launched in the state not needing even a little patching. Obviously for the price of launching them however later. There's always something to play in the meantime.

And btw earlier discussion, concerns of 2 turning into casual route, it doesn't seem likely to happen. I red impressions of few guys who played the game after some industry show (Game Fest or something). One was complaining that he needed to repeat few times the fight with like three enemies, because they were killing him or throwing grenades without any indicator (other than sound) showing where it landed I looks like all Stalker vets, wanting game to be more sim-like, can get a little more relaxed... But I can't wait for this August showcase - I don't want to watch the game before I play, I want to experience all without knowing about it, but I have to lol

 

[Vayra86]

As I generally think, I would like to see all games launched in the state not needing even a little patching. Obviously for the price of launching them however later. There's always something to play in the meantime.

And btw earlier discussion, concerns of 2 turning into casual route, it doesn't seem likely to happen. I red impressions of few guys who played the game after some industry show (Game Fest or something). One was complaining that he needed to repeat few times the fight with like three enemies, because they were killing him or throwing grenades without any indicator (other than sound) showing where it landed I looks like all Stalker vets, wanting game to be more sim-like, can get a little more relaxed... But I can't wait for this August showcase - I don't want to watch the game before I play, I want to experience all without knowing about it, but I have to lol

Great news if true. I was immersed in Stalker COP the most with the Misery mod and some other tweaks that made life obnoxiously hard in the Zone. Granted it was a third playthrough that way, but even prior, the whole setting just screams 'get miserable and survive'. The tension was there, every step of the way. And that approach as a basic premise still doesnt prevent the devs to throw in options to remove some of those features, by all means, give players the opportunity to play the game more easily just the same.

Darkest Dungeon 1 is a great blueprint for them; the base game is stupid hard, but if you use a few options to disable persistent corpses and play on 'Radiant' instead the game still holds its charm while being a lot easier. That whole setup just screams fantastic mechanical game design.

Another example of how it could work for all sorts of players is World of Warcraft. Vanilla WoW was spartan, grindy and tedious. TBC made it more accessible but the game kept its soul.

 

[Klemc]

Trepang2 is better

 

[#22]

Great news if true. I was immersed in Stalker COP the most with the Misery mod and some other tweaks that made life obnoxiously hard in the Zone. Granted it was a third playthrough that way, but even prior, the whole setting just screams 'get miserable and survive'. The tension was there, every step of the way. And that approach as a basic premise still doesnt prevent the devs to throw in options to remove some of those features, by all means, give players the opportunity to play the game more easily just the same.

Darkest Dungeon 1 is a great blueprint for them; the base game is stupid hard, but if you use a few options to disable persistent corpses and play on 'Radiant' instead the game still holds its charm while being a lot easier. That whole setup just screams fantastic mechanical game design.

Another example of how it could work for all sorts of players is World of Warcraft. Vanilla WoW was spartan, grindy and tedious. TBC made it more accessible but the game kept its soul.

There was some hands on for journalists like month or two ago, so quite fresh stuff. And all opinions I found describe game leaning toward more demanding direction, but honestly I wouldn't suspect it to be different, more sim than previous games. Giving option to customize gameplay you describe is hard thing to do, though, so I also wouldn't count here too much. On the start you have to decide if e.g. enemy count fits more rambo style or sim. Similarly with their behaviour. Or it's the more doable, the shorter the distance between both extremes.

 

[Sithaer]

I guess I'm one of the few weirdos who never really got into the first game, played it for a few days when it was somewhat new but I've deleted it in a few days after and I'm still yet to look back. 'It just wasn't my cup of tea at all'
I for one would like it if they have a more casual option in the second game, I don't really play any single player game on a harder difficulty than Normal cause its just not enjoyable for me most of the time. 'Witcher 3 was the only single player game where I've had to play on the hardest diff cause Geralt was so damn OP already at mid game or so'

I did like and finish all of the Metro games tho, again only on Normal or whatver it was called there.

 

[#22]

I guess I'm one of the few weirdos who never really got into the first game, played it for a few days when it was somewhat new but I've deleted it in a few days after and I'm still yet to look back. 'It just wasn't my cup of tea at all'
I for one would like it if they have a more casual option in the second game, I don't really play any single player game on a harder difficulty than Normal cause its just not enjoyable for me most of the time. 'Witcher 3 was the only single player game where I've had to play on the hardest diff cause Geralt was so damn OP already at mid game or so'

I did like and finish all of the Metro games tho, again only on Normal or whatver it was called there.

It's these personal likings of game being more casual or sim and I think that kind of games like Stalker series just fundamentally can't fit both directions. They loose their essence with being more approachable and forgiving. These games were about going somewhere do to something when all the time being focused on for various reasons unsafe environment. All the time feeling some tension and harsh life in the Zone. It was also more sim from it's nature, playing exactly stalker life - going places to find artifacts between deadly anomalies and rather avoiding enounters, dangerous and costing precious ammo. It all to earn money allowing to buy better stuff. And then doing story missions to unlock next area. Just carelessly running somewhere to pick up artifact imo wouldn't be fun even for more casual gamers.

It's like opposite example is Halo Infinite I play now - sympathetic, kinda family friendly and oldschool shooter when you don't care about aiming with reticle, but just run and strafe between bullets. Such game just shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Chomiq]

An update from the Devs, looking forward to Aug 12: Deep Dive with the Devs. Love this vid heheh
Update

While I'm sad that they delayed the game I'd much rather have a polished up release than a lemon like CP. Luckily I no longer bother with preordering shit so any delay in release doesn't affect me at all (thanks CDP!). Hopefully dev team will maintain good work ethics and avoid things like unpaid overtime, work during weekends, etc.

 

[64K]

I guess I'm one of the few weirdos who never really got into the first game, played it for a few days when it was somewhat new but I've deleted it in a few days after and I'm still yet to look back. 'It just wasn't my cup of tea at all'
I for one would like it if they have a more casual option in the second game, I don't really play any single player game on a harder difficulty than Normal cause its just not enjoyable for me most of the time. 'Witcher 3 was the only single player game where I've had to play on the hardest diff cause Geralt was so damn OP already at mid game or so'

I did like and finish all of the Metro games tho, again only on Normal or whatver it was called there.

STALKER games are definitely more challenging than Metro games and they aren't for everyone. I enjoyed all of the games. I also usually play on the normal difficulty setting. I think it's the way the Developer intended the game experience to be. Easy and Hard usually just change hit points, number of enemies and loot drops but not the AI quality. Normal difficulty is usually challenging enough for me but sometimes it's just too easy. If you need some help to get through some tough spots I think there are cheat codes or trainers.

My guess is that STALKER 2 will be a bit easier than the other 3 games because mainstream gaming has moved in that direction since the last 3 games but maybe not. If it's just as challenging and eventually with patches in good shape then I'm on board definitely and would like to see even more games from them if this one is a success.

 

[Sithaer]

STALKER games are definitely more challenging than Metro games and they aren't for everyone. I enjoyed all of the games. I also usually play on the normal difficulty setting. I think it's the way the Developer intended the game experience to be. Easy and Hard usually just change hit points, number of enemies and loot drops but not the AI quality. Normal difficulty is usually challenging enough for me but sometimes it's just too easy. If you need some help to get through some tough spots I think there are cheat codes or trainers.

My guess is that STALKER 2 will be a bit easier than the other 3 games because mainstream gaming has moved in that direction since the last 3 games but maybe not. If it's just as challenging and eventually with patches in good shape then I'm on board definitely and would like to see even more games from them if this one is a success.

If I have to rely on cheats/trainers then I would rather delete or not play the game. 'thats one thing I'm actually serious about in my gaming nowadays,no cheats nor exploits or any of that stuff.'

Metro serie on normal was perfectly balanced for my taste, just about enough difficulty so that I couldn't mindlessly get away with everything but I also did not have to scavenge for every last ammo all the time cause that is not enjoyable for me. 'probably one reason why I couldn't get into the original Stalker ages ago'

But yea I also don't expect it to be that hardcore for the same reasons as yours but I will wait some time after the relase and see how it turns out.

It's these personal likings of game being more casual or sim and I think that kind of games like Stalker series just fundamentally can't fit both directions. They loose their essence with being more approachable and forgiving. These games were about going somewhere do to something when all the time being focused on for various reasons unsafe environment. All the time feeling some tension and harsh life in the Zone. It was also more sim from it's nature, playing exactly stalker life - going places to find artifacts between deadly anomalies and rather avoiding enounters, dangerous and costing precious ammo. It all to earn money allowing to buy better stuff. And then doing story missions to unlock next area. Just carelessly running somewhere to pick up artifact imo wouldn't be fun even for more casual gamers.

It's like opposite example is Halo Infinite I play now - sympathetic, kinda family friendly and oldschool shooter when you don't care about aiming with reticle, but just run and strafe between bullets. Such game just shouldn't be too hard.

Dunno, I had plenty of fun just roaming around in the Far Cry games and do whatever so don't underestimate what casuals can enjoy.
Now I'm not saying that the game should be like that by default but more like only have a more chill/story focused difficulty as an option when you start your playthrough.

 

[#22]

My guess is that STALKER 2 will be a bit easier than the other 3 games because mainstream gaming has moved in that direction since the last 3 games but maybe not. If it's just as challenging and eventually with patches in good shape then I'm on board definitely and would like to see even more games from them if this one is a success.

One of the guys I mentioned above told that it seems like the game Stalker fans expect, feeling like previous ones, but there are rebuilt and more approachable systems like e.g. equippment. Whatever it means, but if it's just ergonomy, designing things smarter way, it's good. On the other hand I don't recall having any problems or PITA with anything in predecessors, but needs to be added that games improved since I think ten years ago when I played Stalker game last time and it being Call of Pripyat.

Dunno, I had plenty of fun just roaming around in the Far Cry games and do whatever so don't underestimate what casuals can enjoy.
Now I'm not saying that the game should be like that by default but more like only have a more chill/story focused difficulty as an option when you start your playthrough.

FC is an interesting example. Those games, especially 3 and 4 had really similar to Stalker series feel of the world. Essence of FC was hunting enemies in the world where almost anything other hunts you. FC btw is quite well balanced series in terms of customizing it to your likings. I love these games since FC3 ONLY IF I play them my way I described above. When you probably talk about having fun with completely different approach But on the other hand 5 and 6 made enemies stupid and just running to you, so it was one of the fundamental design choices I mentioned.

 

[Vario]

Those animations look fantastic.

 

[basco]

if ya like stalker maybe this game could interest you:
Forever Winter

The Forever Winter on Steam

The Forever Winter is a co-op tactical survival horror shooter where you and your squad must loot the dead to survive under the shadow of terrifying and gargantuan war machines locked in a never-ending conflict.

store.steampowered.com

 

[Ahhzz]

Trepang2 is better

No, it's not. Really. And even if it were, this isn't the thread for it. This is called "threadcrapping" or "trolling". Don't do it. thanks.