I still need to play the latest STALKER, but from what I have seen it looks fun.

If you don’t know the plot of the trilogy or haven’t delved into those details... it’s going to be a very interesting experience. Otherwise, the contrast might play a nasty trick

Never a dull day with radiation

¯▿¯

As someone who completed Stalker 2 as well, looks like game is alright at it's core, but requires Cyberpunk 2077 level of patching for the next few years

A lot of little things just missing, devs (in their discord) admit they are missing, and will be added in future patches.
Like nightvision, like psi-res artifacts, etc, etc.
Game was really rushed, and it really feels that way.

AT LEAST it was released, like with the main story line and all. Cutscenes are good, overall visuals are good, characters are pretty good as well.

But lots of little things that are either broken, or missing, or you can't tell if it's an anomaly that was indended by devs, or not.
I've downloaded mods for Stalker 2, and mod makers sometimes share a bit of info on how game mechanics work on the engine script level. And holy hell, this game is a complete mess.
Just to make an example, physical protection. It's capped at 70% (really low cap imo), which is achieved at 4.5 points of physical protection. 4.5 bars on the armor, if you wish.
Then why the hell do we have 5 full bars on some armor, if it's irrelevant since 4.5 is a hardcap?
"Maximum" physical protection on the artifact (Compass) gives 1 physical protection.
0.5 strong, 0.25 moderate and 0.1 weak.
Which not just doesn't sound like "maximum" but also means weak artifacts do basically nothing.
Maximum protection gives about 16% damage reduction (until hardcap of 70%), while weak one gives... 1.6%?
Just wow.

AP ammo instead of doing something about the armor, just does more flat damage instead, btw.

All 4 endings were an absolute mindfuck, leaving a shit ton of questions.
Especially considering not just general geography of original trilogy, but also it's general lore were absolutely butchered. With noticeable plot inconsistencies not just within franchise as a whole, but also within Stalker 2 as a standalone game.

So in general...
I like the game, and I am glad it exists, BUT it could be so much more. Some things could be patched out, some are not.

You know, I wouldn’t say better..

Cheeki Breeki!

V Damke!

A-L-I-F-E, new mutants, lack of side quests, big empty zone, not interesting stashes, bunch of useless boring artefacts just for sale. Also bugs, crashes, problems with graphics (reflections, shadows, broken DLSS, lightning, especially when raining). The survival aspect has not gone beyond the original three parts especially comparing with anomaly, GAMMA, etc. This game has a core broken, it missing literally everything and I’m not sure that it would be fixed ever. But the storyline is interesting. And yeah, I used to be a stalker fan too

But there was a new patch today, and now we have squirrels in the zone. That is what I was expecting for all this time along with 30fps rats

Better can't be said, I completely agree with what’s been said, and I also have a strong feeling - most things can't be fixed with patches х_х

I really like the game ... but I sadly have to agree with everything you said.

Despite what I had said I still playing it lol

YO THIS IS FIRE