True Stalker Mod - In anticipation of Stalker 2
Hello Stalkers!
As we all know, Stalker 2 will probably be released somewhere in Autumn. I have a strong nostalgia for this atmosphere and the adventures in Chernobyl. I have tried different mods, and most of them are based on the global Anomaly mod. Then, in the later winter of 2023, the AP Pro Team made their long-awaited release - True Stalker, a global mod that should bring a realistic Stalker atmosphere to the Chernobyl exclusion zone. In this review discussion, I will try to share my feelings, thoughts, and make some comparisons with other Stalker modes and the vanilla game.
I am Stalker.
The main plot of this game revolves around a young man whose nickname is Axe. Stalkers, upon entering the Zone, don't use their real names, and our hero is no exception. Once he was here before, and upon leaving, thoughts about Chernobyl's secrets and mysteries didn't leave him. One wise man said, 'There is no ex-stalker, you know. Once the Zone touches you, it makes you a different man.'
True Stalker: Rainy weather and electrical anomaly
Axe dreams of seeing what is going on in other territories since he has never left Cordon, the first location where mostly newbies are found. Stalker veterans, on dark evenings, tell mysterious, sometimes terrifying, but very exciting stories about miracles they saw in deep territories, prompting the hero to witness them himself.
Together, we will explore location after location, meeting interesting characters, fighting monsters, and revealing that the Zone is something more than just searching for artifacts or killing monsters. A global conspiracy and formidable individuals stand in the shadows, attempting to uncover all the secrets of the Zone, and Axe will be involved in this dangerous and intriguing whirlpool of events.
True Stalker: Inventory new look.
Step by step, from acquiring our first pistol and leather jacket to obtaining a scientific suit, we will progress further, uncovering the Zone's secrets and discovering new opportunities to become a rich and successful stalker. Have you forgotten why people come here? Some are hiding from their former lives, while others seek wealth or hunt down unusual beasts that only reside here. There are many reasons, and each stalker has their own.
Gameplay and Features
As I understand it, the authors tried to make this world as realistic as possible in a computer game. In other mods, players have plenty of weapons, armor, medicine, and other items. After a few hours in Anomaly, even using hardcore settings, I become rich, and the value of every item I obtained becomes lower. In this game, there is a serious roleplay accent and a good attempt to make every little success valuable. You should really get ready for every trip in the Zone: take enough ammo and a suitable gun, bring water, food, and medicine. It's very important to monitor the condition of equipment - in a critical moment, a dirty or worn-out gun will not save your life.
True Stalker: bandit's campfire
What impressed me at the very beginning was the interface of your backpack, character screen, map, and other menus. I have never seen this in any modification. In most modifications, we can see an upgraded version of Call of Pripyat with some elements from Tarkov. Developers from AP Pro Team somehow, I honestly have no idea how they did it, made the interface look like in Metro Exodus. At least this was the first game that came to my mind when I saw how True Stalker looks like.
True Stalker: Reloading animation and fire anomalies
Gear upgrade is also interesting and takes time and patience. Helping local technicians will open new opportunities to improve your armor and guns better and uniquely. One of my favorite activities in Stalker modes is searching for artifacts. This is a stalker's treasure hunt. Taking an anomaly detector and using bolts, you venture into dangerous and deadly anomaly fields, and if you are lucky, you will grab a real Zone's treasure - an artifact. The only strange moment, maybe I was just unlucky, most of the artifacts provide radiation, and only in the end game, I found an artifact that consumes radiation. Maybe patches already changed this.
The storyline is full of important scripts and scenes that help you to get into the plot deeper. There is a lot of backtracking and meeting with characters from the game beginning. I really appreciate these small moments when your actions in the past have huge consequences in the future. Unexpected saves in critical situations by stalkers you saved from bandits or giving a medkit to a stalker who got injured after a battle with monsters. There are a lot of unexpected twists which could really break your heart. I really believed in the characters I went through the game with. Every one of them has a unique personality and fate. They are not just pixels on your screen - almost like living humans.
Do we need Stalker 2, or has it already been made by AP Pro Team?
I don't have a clear answer to this question. When I started the game, it took at least 30 hours for me to complete this journey. I was excited to discover the locations: the developers created so many unique objects, buildings, anomalies, and underground levels that I had never seen in any mod before.
I had a nice choice between the main plot section and a lot of side quests and free exploration. By the way, side quests are made on a very good level of intensity and interest. Some of them are even more intriguing than the main quest of the game.
True Stalker: Moment of exploration
The graphics in the game are not on a next-generation level, but it is still pleasant and doesn't create any negative feelings or strain the eyes. If your computer is able to handle ultra settings, you may enjoy the beautiful sunsets, water, and nature.
As I understood from the endgame movie trailer, AP Pro Team is thinking about a possible sequel to this mod, and honestly, I will play it without any doubts. If I were to give the same ranking to this project, I would give it 7/10. I loved the feeling of being a true stalker in the Zone, and this game let me experience it more profoundly than any previously played modification. I highly recommend playing it before trying Stalker 2.
That is all for today, folks. Play only good games, and see you soon.
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