which modded version of SoC is right for me?

[nicheian]

i've played through all 3 STALKER games without any modifications. it has been a cpl of years since i last played SoC. i loved it at the time but i see you guys raving about the modified versions so i was wondering if you could tell me which would be the best mod to install?

the main reason i play the stalker games is for the missions and side quests - i am not so concerned with the whole trading side of things. is there a modded version of Shadow of Chernobyl that keeps all the missions and side quests and just enhances the whole experience?

[ShadeC4]

Umm... Several. O_o; You should just have a look through the mods on the mod site, imo. There is no "best" one, if you ask me, there's just what you prefer. I do say to look into Oblivion Lost, though. But there's also Priboi, which changes the game to having a whole continuation story. And then many others I can't really think of off the top of my head...

Just look through the mod site.

[nicheian]

thanks very much! thanks very much for the reply. i've been reading up on them and am i right in thinking oblivion lost has entirely new missions from the original SoC? or does it follow the original path, but with added fancy stuff like graphics, AI, etc?

my current plan is to play through the games like this:

1) oblivion lost mod (assuming it's the one that is most similar to the original SoC game)

2) priboi story (all the missions in this game are entirely new aren't they?)

3) lost alpha, when it comes out in december this year (am i right in saying this has completely new maps and entirely new missions?)

4) and finally, if i get the urge to play through the game again, i'll do the L.U.R.K. mod (does this have the original missions of SoC but implemented in a way that focuses on the stealth aspect of the game?)


does all this sound right? are all these variations different enough to make for a lasting and enjoyable gaming experience?

another question, why aren't there as many in depth detailed mods for clear sky? are there expected to be mod overhauls for call of pripyat?

[ShadeC4]

"Oblivion Lost" is named that because that is what Shadow of Chernobyl was called in the early days, when it was still being made. The OL mod brings back everything that THQ took out of the game to make what THEY think gamers want. So OL is SoC, but vastly improved.

I've never played any other mods, but, from what I have read of Priboi, it is entirely new missions. OL does NOT do that.

Never read up on Lost Alpha, never read up on LURK.


As for Clear Sky, from what I have heard, it's because it was too short or not popular enough. (Many people actually thoroughly dislike Clear Sky, from what I've read.) I haven't played Clear Sky yet myself, so I have no real idea. Only know what I've read.

And it seems there is at least a demo out of Call of Pripyat, as people have apparently been playing it. (Just check out the Call of Pripyat section of the forum.)


My knowledge is rather limited, especially as I'm actually new to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. in general (only heard about and started playing it this year). But, due to my sheer curiosity and such, I have found out all the information I do have. But that may also be because I have been told to "search Google first" numerous times. (I.e. To look around for myself first and see if I can't find anything, and THEN come and ask stuff.) I have to agree with that advice, personally... That's why I pretty much told you to go look for yourself. ;p

When it comes to reading around, just read the Read Me files on the mods. They tell you what they do. The main thing I suggest is, if you play SoC in English, get a mod to correct it. There's one out there for OL 2.2, and an altered version of it for OL 2.2 + Arsenal RC1.
-Natural_English_Language_v1.0_for_OL2.2.rar, Stalker Downloads, Stalker Singleplayer
-Natural English Language Mod 1.0 for Oblivion Lost 2.2 + Arsenal RC1 Merge v0.2, Stalker Downloads, Stalker Singleplayer

It should also be noted that OL 3.0 is in the works. I'd also suggest only patching SoC up to either 1.0004 or 1.0005. If you want to do 1.0006, that's at your own risk. There is an issue I have encountered that suggests it might be causing an issue.

I use 1.0006 with OL 2.2. The issue I've encountered is that the game seems to be on this "you absolutely MUST do the missions in order thing, or else it starts crashing to desktop all the time. (This also seems to mean not killing the beasts the Duty guys ask you to kill at the gate in Garbage, as this for whatever unknown reason prevents certain quest dialogs from occurring.)

My initial play through of SoC was on pure vanilla (no mods AND no patches), so I don't know if it's the patch, or the mod, or some combination thereof. All I know is that it seems to *really* like crashing to desktop for me... >_>;

[FEARLESS]

STALKER Complete 2009 (1.4.1 Full Install) is the mod the I find enhances the game without really changing anything. I have played it through twice now without one crash.

OL 2.2 is the one I have played the most but there are alot of additions to the game such as drivable vehicles (Ya can't go tearing off into the the country side tho cause of the anomalies) but it does add a lot to the game.