S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky (56kers beware)

Big Classy

Eurogamer got their hands on a slew of new screens and it looks gorgeous.

Here's the link to all of them.

And here's a select few that I thought stood out.

Tech demo..... on a camera?!

Dashui

I just hope the game has improved multiplayer, maybe even some levels from the first game. No one ever talks about STALKER's multiplayer, but it was incredible fun and deserved more players. It had a slew of game modes, the level design was great and really creepy, the ballistics were realistic, and it was fun earning money and promotions. You could buy all sorts of gear and weapon mods.

darleysam

I would be signed up to buy this day-one already, if I felt my pc could anywhere near take it. I completed Stalker, but my pc crossed the line in a wheezing, sputtering mess. But I really want this, because the first was such a fantastic game..

brynstar

I have high hopes that this will actually release soon and not get stuck in the development nightmare that plagued the first game. I really need to go back and finish STALKER now that I have a machine that can actually run it...

Those screens are quite impressive looking!

Big Classy

I actually think this one may be less of a nightmare to run than the first. Colour me insane, but I think they may have learned from their mistakes and made it more friendly. Sure it looks better than the first but I don't think people are gonna have as hard a time running it. The first was a nightmare even if you had the recommended spec.

There shouldn't be much, if any, delays as they're using the same engine last I heard.

Regicid3

I'm already behind, I still haven't even started the first. They need to delat the expansion to accomadate me.

Big Classy

Seriously, mate How could you not have tried it yet? You're PC is better than mine, from what I recall. Its pretty cheap on steam too. There's no excuses for laziness.

Regicid3

My current PC isn't better than anything... the PC I'm building will be able to run it...

It's not done yet!

Dashui

Regicid3 wrote: »

I'm already behind, I still haven't even started the first. They need to delat the expansion to accomadate me.

It's actually not an expansion. It's a stand-alone prequel. Just clearing that up. You don't need the first game to play this one. The prequel is also going to be more open ended. You can join any of the factions in the game and lead them to victory.

I hope the real sequel chooses to do what the original concept was, however. Originally, and for a long time up until just before its release, STALKER was marketed as an open world game. The final game was split up into levels which you could go back and forth between. Previously, it was completely open, like Elder Scrolls, and survival aspects were suppose to be really important. It seemed much more terrifying, with players finding shelter for a storm, food to eat, hiding from the beasties at night. I really hope they bring that back eventually.

UnbreakableVow

So what are the chances of this coming to 360? I know the developer was made an official 360 developer (or something like that) a few months ago.

Zombiemambo

I just built a new machine, but I'm not holding my breath for high settings.

Loathing

Dashui wrote: »

I hope the real sequel chooses to do what the original concept was, however. Originally, and for a long time up until just before its release, STALKER was marketed as an open world game. The final game was split up into levels which you could go back and forth between. Previously, it was completely open, like Elder Scrolls, and survival aspects were suppose to be really important. It seemed much more terrifying, with players finding shelter for a storm, food to eat, hiding from the beasties at night. I really hope they bring that back eventually.

Honestly, that sounds pretty damn good. If they added that it would add a LOT more depth to the game, which even now is a lot IMO.

I've been running STALKER on full settings with graphics mods installed, so I'll be eager to see what the prequel will do for me. Looks pretty as hell, the nights actually look dark which is nice.

War Bastard

Definately looking forward to this one. I hear that the factions are now fleshed out and that joining them is a lot more significant than it was in the original game.

Man, thinking about the times I've had playing the original, the atmosphere and setting were just...perfect.

vhzod

Is the world more open and cell like as it was supposed to be for the original stalker? Also have they got A-Life working right by now?

Loathing

...I don't think you actually could join either of the Factions in the original. I know you run missions for them, but I don't think you join them unless someone made a mod for that.

Sueve

all i want to say is that the building in one of those screenies is eerily amazing grfx. dood.

randombattle

Man I cannot wait for this. Stalker was such a kick ass game and so much fun.

If this actually does have more open gameplay then hot damn. But really even if it was just more of the same I'd still buy it asap.

Stormwatcher

UnbreakableVow wrote: »

So what are the chances of this coming to 360? I know the developer was made an official 360 developer (or something like that) a few months ago.

As far as I can hope: Zero.

Sorenson

The one thing that dissipoints me is that a co-op mode will be all but completily unlikely, which is a shame since there were several parts in the original that would have been awesome to have a few friends working with you on.

Still, the lighting in some of those screens looks fantastic, and hopefully the devs learned their lessons from STALKER (and the subsequent shitton of modding people did).

Morkath

Stalker was a great game, shame the company itself never lived up to the SDK and freeplay mode they kept promising.

Cherrn

Still waiting for that final S.T.A.L.K.E.R. patch

Zzulu

Stalker was one of my favourites. Buying this theday it hits

Pharezon

Morkath wrote: »

Stalker was a great game, shame the company itself never lived up to the SDK and freeplay mode they kept promising.

They're still working on it.

Tim James

Sad, but inevitable news/rumor:

http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/03/05/stalker-clear-sky-dated-for-august/

Koch has told videogaming247 today that GSC Game World’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is slated for an August release.

The prequel to S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl had gone without a date since the publisher took control of the game in January.

Survival shooter Clear Sky is still something of a mystery at the moment, but the reputation of the first game is bulletproof among PC gamers for being broken but brilliant.

We’ll have more on this soon.

And so it begins...

Szechuanosaurus

Why is that sad but inevitable?

What am I missing? Do babies die if games are released in August?

Tim James

GSC has been saying spring 2008 unofficially for a while. If we're starting a pool, I'll put my money on summer 2009 now.

Regicid3

Yay, I have plenty of time now.

Big Classy

OP updated with a tech demo video.