Stalker CS vs SOC

[slapnutz]

Is poll is ONLY for those who'ved play both games for a decent length. Also, I'm coparing it to an UNMODDED SOC. (excluding official patches and mods that dont affect the gameplay balance)

Just wanting to get generalised feel for what original stalker fans think of SC.

[Damien_Azreal]

I'm voting about the same.

Both had bits and pieces I enjoyed other the others. SoC felt more polished, more desolate and daunting. Even a bit more atmospheric at times. Also, good equipment wasn't overly difficult to find, really top end stuff... yeah it took some money, skill, patience... but you still had enough to get you through.

Clear Sky, I enjoy the new map better. The improved lighting model is wonderful. The small, subtle changes to the gameplay just work wonderfully. My only complaints with CS would be... the world feels overcrowded. Way to many neutral people walking around. The faction system seems okay... but piss of the wrong group and there are places you can't go to.
Difficulty in CS can be a bitch. Enemy AI are extremely tough, good armor, weapons... it can be a bitch to get your hands on. And money is very rare... again, making goo equipment a bitch to get.

But, IMO, both are great. For different reasons... but I wouldn't say one is better than the other.

[Niap!]

Without mods, I voted for CS. CS has some nice graphics and gameplay additions.

Graphics: sun rays, soft particles, wet surfaces, improved lighting etc.
Gameplay: Ability to modify/upgrade almost any weapon or suit (legendary items can't be modified), not only for the improved damage or accuracy, but also the possibility to change ammo type.

I've only played through SoC once without mods, which will also probably be the last. I've played a ton of SoC with various different mods, with the right combination of mods the game really starts to shine. I've finished CS once without mods now, doubt i'll be playing it unmodded just like with SoC.. only with CS, atm its mainly alot of mini mods.

[Jiminator]

CS as I have never played the unmodded SoC. Still CS has lots of issues that they need to work on. Things like small groups always needing help. Them shooting each other while shooting enemies. Flanking logic was dumbed down, the enemies now have zones that they will not cross. Multiple missions to capture the same area.

I like the new artifacts, makes for much more of a challenge. I also like the weapon mod system.

I have noticed saved game problems here, never SoC. Once a saved game has these problems it will always recur on loading the same game. I then have to go back to the autosave.
1) the sound will stutter when it loads and the game exits to desktop
2) the game will hang on "initializing" and cpu usage will remain at 50% until ctl-alt-del

anyways I hope they continue what they have done with stalker 3 - enhance the zone, more factions, clever caches, better graphics, more features, etc.

[Nihilanth]

I voted the same because SoC has some elements better than CS. Too many people argument is fair, too little mutants, totally. Too little anomalies too. And I don't like that loners have their own faction. I mean, loners, they work individually, right? That's what I like better in SoC. But CS is superior in every other aspect. I could count all day long but suffice to say, every gameplay aspect is better in CS and all the changes except those mentioned above make the game better.

[Reaper]

anyways I hope they continue what they have done with stalker 3 - enhance the zone, more factions, clever caches, better graphics, more features, etc.
I'm sure it won't be called Stalker 3. Probably Stalker 2. Somewhat like the Half-Life 2 to Episode 1-3 to Half-Life 3 jump. Wasn't CS a standalone expansion anyways (from the outset at least)?

[Nihilanth]

Yep, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (obviously it's the working title, but GSC have already confirmed it in their future plans, after Clear Sky). Clear Sky is indeed a standalone expansion and not the proper Part 2.