Post-test for Stalker 2: How we deal with the (re)evaluation after patch 1.1

The replace 1.1 for the shooter addresses one of many largest criticisms: the A-Life. We summarize what this implies for our score of Stalker 2.

Christmas got here just a little early to the Zone this yr: GSC launched the 110 GB patch 1.1 for Stalker 2 simply earlier than the vacations. The replace fixes a whopping 1,800 points, most notably the largest level of criticism: the lacking/damaged A-Life 2.0.

Patch 1.1 is already the fourth main replace because the launch on November 20, 2024. We devalued the launch model by 15 factors as a consequence of bugs, plot stoppers, efficiency and technical issues.How will we proceed our check and a doable improve now?

When will our evaluate come?

Initially, we needed to ship a follow-up check to Stalker 2 earlier than Christmas – now, out of the blue, in the future earlier than the Christmas trip, the tester Patch 1.1 pops up.

After all, we may write a follow-up check and an improve primarily based on the impressions of some hours of play. However that wouldn’t be truthful to the sport and the builders after a lot effort and work has gone into fixing bugs and different points.

At first look, a number of essential issues have improved loads, however within the three hours or so of gameplay, we continued to battle with points we skilled within the launch model. Additionally, we’ve solely been in a position to check the patch on one machine up to now, which doesn’t give a complete impression.

We’ve due to this fact determined to postpone the retest to the start of the yr, presumably January 2025. We wish to make investments extra time within the patch, together with taking part in by way of beforehand bugged quests once more, attempting out aggressive and stealthy play kinds, taking a better take a look at the in-game financial system, and rather more.

Small spoiler upfront: There can be an improve in any case – however we are able to’t inform you how huge it will likely be at this level

First impressions after patch 1.1

What has improved?

Enemies now not spawn on the tip of the nostril: Earlier than, we may actually see enemies manifesting out of nowhere two meters in entrance of us. After the patch, the NPCs now not spawn within the sight view of protagonist Skif.
Extra random encounters: Random encounters with factions and mutants have been already current within the launch model. Nevertheless, it often seemed like this: the enemy spawns straight in entrance of Skif, is straight aggro, and Skif shoots round in panic. There was no room for various approaches and even tactical retreat. After patch 1.1, these moments really feel rather more pure and are extra paying homage to the predecessors. Factions struggle amongst themselves, mutants assault loners – and we are able to resolve whether or not and the way we wish to intervene.
Financial system: In earlier patches, the builders already gave the financial system a money injection. This was obligatory as a result of within the launch model, for instance, we have been within the pink if we needed to restore a damaged weapon after which promote it. Now, not solely will we make some huge cash, however the restore prices have additionally dropped considerably. This makes the financial system a lot much less grind-heavy and a lot better balanced general.
Efficiency: At first look, efficiency appears to have improved on our RTX4070 check machine. Even in later areas like Prypjat, the sport runs with out stutters or FPS drops. After all, we’re testing on extra machines and over an extended time period to have the ability to give a extra correct estimate right here.

What nonetheless didn’t work properly for us?

Group AI: Whereas the habits of particular person opponents works a lot better within the open world, in order that we are able to even outsmart NPCs in random encounters, the AI completely can not address us in confined areas and in teams. NPCs both lose sight of us instantly, regardless that we’re standing proper in entrance of them, or they’ve already focused us regardless that we’re nonetheless 200 meters away, cowering behind a constructing.

Even stealth doesn’t all the time work reliably: Though we take out particular person opponents with knives and silencer pistols, everybody within the camp is aware of instantly – it nearly appears as if the whole NPC group shares an AI mind cell and reacts to the identical stimuli collectively, regardless that Skif is simply concerned with a single particular person.

Graphics and Clipping Errors: Flickering textures, enemies clipping by way of partitions and flooring, corpses in T-poses, respawning garments, and so forth are nonetheless current and spoil the in any other case nice ambiance of the shooter.

What will we nonetheless wish to test extra intently?

Quests: Can we now full essential essential quests with out plot stoppers?
Sound: Has the sound design improved? Within the launch model, it was usually very tough to find enemies. Typically the improper sound backdrop was performed.
Enemy AI and A-Life: We’re trying much more intently at what the revised AI is doing and whether or not this modifications the texture of the sport.
Efficiency: We’re testing on completely different computer systems to see if Stalker 2 is now higher optimized and now not crashes at 10 FPS.

Please be at liberty to inform us within the feedback what modifications you observed after patch 1.1 and whether or not you needed to take care of many issues earlier than that.