S.t.a.l.k.e.r: Clear Sky - Dangerous and Beautiful blog - ConspiraG

S.t.a.l.k.e.r: Clear Sky - Dangerous and Beautiful
I have no idea if it is true or not, but It sure is pretty up in the zone. Now, to answer the question we need people to share their experiences with the zone and Stalker. I will start.
Basically, I'm a guy that has spent more than enough time in the zone to know that the game can seem unbeatable. Staying focused on the main quest is a challenge when there are dangerous animal
"hunts," extreme graphics, and compelling level design. Combat can feel really rough due to many positives and negative factors. Currently, I am trying to get through the game on Master Stalker Difficulty with only ONE GRAPHICAL MOD installed(not counting official patch), and that is a sun shafts mod that makes some of the special effects within the game appear at all times instead of just 6am to 8am. I also edited other purely visual elements of the game to increase fps (frames per second) without losing and if not gaining image quality. The Modding scene for the game is as tempting and as painful as the game itself is. It is easy to tweak, but most tweaking will have negative effects.
The games detail in every aspect is what scares me. Even regarding bugs. The story line speaks of a truly mystical place in a very scientific way. The "anomaly" you find with the Zone, or Chernobyl, are compelling and terrifying. (Depending on what you consider an anomaly) They have achieved this by toying with realistic physics processing of objects and the environment. Gravity exists in the game and it is realistic. Sure, you can find people who would argue how a grenade rolls when its dropped into a crate, an "Anomaly" will make you one of them. These objects can kill you by touch, telepoty you, or even crash your game(debatable). These anomolys are intregal to the gameplay and story.
The Zone is a place rooted in history as Chernobyl, where a nuclear disaster or meltdown occurred. This is where the game takes place. When it comes to realism, you'll find your self debating what is realistic a great deal. Weapons have many functions, ammo types, firing modes, but on a high difficulty or for an inexperienced player, you really feel that you have to use everything to survive. Don't expect this game to be easy and realistic at the same time. So with that being said. The game has parts that will seem unfairly hard, especially without the use of modding or altering gameplay. The developers know this, showing a level of seriousness and detail. The zone apparently is a warzone that grants wishes. This provides a reason to play, and the long loading times make you fear dying. If you can live long enough in the zone to see it say "autosave" in the middle of gameplay, you know. The story talks of survival and coexistence with the Zone and the search to achive that balance.
If you ever find yourself lost and in the middle of a gravity defying mindfield after being attacked by and barely escaping a pack of wild dogs in a very dark night you know you're in the Zone. this software makes you ask, "why and how did they make this game" You will find yourself getting to know the game so well simply because of its flaws and uniqueness that you will know all the coding properties, the item weights, what places make good stashes, seriously questioning what the enemy will do next, and why it isn't working. The storyline speaks of anomolies in physiscs, as does the software speak of glitches in complex math.
When you spend enough time in the zone, you learn to think like a game developer, if not a vetran, and this game engine is close to rocket science. There is many many variables the engine manages and for a single person to find "equilibrium" with this zone you will have to look into modding. The things it will make you question in a true attempt at simulation are things like accuracy, damage, bleeding, radiation, firing speeds, range, and location because you simply cannot afford to waste more time on loading screens than gameplay. Still, sometimes, you'll find yourself alive in the zone, and compelled by one of many good features in the game to push on.
My game settings are really dark in the dead of night, I can only see about 10 feet in front of me sometimes at night, unless there is some light in the sky, then I can make out silhouette of trees 40 to 50 feet(guess). I have sun shafts at all times. The sunlight will create beams and rays coming in between every distinguishable twig on a tree, to the size of what feels like a quarter. High noon, the sun can be blinding, it will really look like its hot and your eyes almost cannot take it(debatable).
If any of this seems strange to you I think it should. This game is dangerous for so many reasons. Wether you are modding the game or not. Visually, this game can cause seizures, but its detail and intelligence is so compelling you almost can't resist. Also, when it comes to a realistic combat simulation, there have been moments where I literally play five minutes, have an awesome battle, and then have to take 20 minutes thinking about what happened in near shock from the intensity of the engagement emotionally.
I have tweaked my depth of field and "focusing" graphics within the game a great deal for possibly performance boost, a better sense of distance, and personal pleasure. It creates a generalized anti aliasing effect on distant textures which may be appealing to some. It's verylow though, not low enough to see a blur in the sky.
The game's booklet warns of seizures and rightfully so. I have never looked at a game untill now and said "Wow, that's a science."
Let me try to put it simple for everyone interested in anything about this game. This game will fuck with you. Bugs and crashes will become your greatest fear, and the zone, your greatest risk. You will feel you are learning something with this game. That may be battle tactics, inventory management skills, how to appreciate a good sunset, game design, or what its like to walk a barren road in Chernobyl. Everything is done that well. Theres room for much argument and improvement with this game, but there is also the fact that it feels far more thought about than anything else out there. From a tactical perspective, clearing a room with 3 guys and one entrance when your lucky if you survive a single bullet that hits you anywhere, is real enough for me.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. might go down in history in a very unique way. It could be infamous, and it could be legendary.