5 things STALKER 2 doesn't tell you that rookie stalkers absolutely need to know

As a seasoned survivor of Chernobyl’s irradiated expanse, I can wholeheartedly attest to the fact that STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a game that will test your mettle and push you to the limits of your resourcefulness. The early tutorials do an adequate job of teaching you the ropes, but it’s the hidden systems and advanced tips that truly set you up for success in this harsh and unforgiving world.

Game World’s latest title, STALKER 2 from GSC, offers an immersive survival-horror shooting experience exclusively on Xbox and PC. It gradually introduces you to its expansive open-world through tutorials and early missions designed for newcomers. However, the game subtly omits some intricate details and mechanics in its lessons, allowing keen, observant players to discover and make use of them as they progress.

Understand the Faction System: In Stalker 2, aligning with the right faction can significantly impact your gameplay experience. Each faction offers unique benefits and has its own agenda. Choose wisely based on your playstyle.

Mutants can’t climb, so take advantage of that

In STALKER 2, mutants pose a challenging threat due to their robustness and high damage output, either being highly durable or swiftly moving in unpredictable patterns. This makes it difficult to hit them accurately, particularly when using an Xbox controller, as there are no deadzones at the time of writing. However, they possess a notable vulnerability that can significantly reduce the danger during combat: they lack the ability to climb.

In The Zone, no matter if it’s a pack of dogs, a herd of wild boars, or a bloodthirsty vampire coming after you, climbing onto various vehicles, containers, or other large objects will keep them at bay. This way, you can securely reload your weapon, aim for clear shots to eliminate them, and tend to any injuries. This tactic is effective against most mutants except for poltergeists, buriers, and controllers, as these can attack you even when they’re not close enough to engage physically.

A potential drawback of this strategy is that the mutants may try to conceal themselves when they understand they can’t reach you. They will reemerge once you descend. However, this pattern can still be taken advantage of. By descending, shooting them as they rush towards you, and then quickly ascending before they get too close, you can capitalize on their behavior.

You can slow walk to move quietly

In STALKER 2’s tutorial, they demonstrate running, jumping, and crouching, but neglect to mention one crucial movement type – deliberate walking. You can customize this control in the game settings under controls, and you have the option of either toggling it or keeping it active by holding down a designated key. Personally, I prefer the toggle method.

Slow walking is useful any time you get into a firefight with hostile stalkers, as unlike sprinting or your regular walk, slow walking makes little-to-no sound. STALKER 2’s enemy AI is pretty perceptive and will easily track your location if you’re noisy, but by slow walking, you can stay quiet and either flank them or move around cover to shoot them without giving them an advance warning you’re about to do so. You can do this by crouch walking too, but keep in mind you’ll be trading faster movement for a lower profile.

As a tech-savvy gamer, I’ve discovered an unexpected advantage when strolling at a leisurely pace: it significantly enhances my aim, particularly when I’m scoped in. In this game, headshots are crucial because stalkers can endure a surprising number of bodyshots. Anything that facilitates landing those critical headshots is definitely worth the effort.

Sell loot to weapon traders for more money

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my insights about STALKER 2! In this captivating game, you’ll often encounter two traders in various bases – one who caters to your hunger and thirst with food and drinks, and another who equips you with weapons, armor, and ammunition. Interestingly, both traders will buy your loot from The Zone, but the arms dealers are always more generous, even when it comes to selling them food items! So, if you’re looking to offload items, make sure you prioritize these particular traders, as they offer better deals across the board. Happy stalking!

Because trading will be your primary income source throughout the game, it’s essential to gather as many coupons as possible from the loot you acquire by trading and combat. These coupons are not only useful for repairing damaged weapons and gear, but they also serve for fast travel, enhancing equipment, purchasing ammunition or other necessary supplies.

Your stash works across The Zone’s regions

Regarding your gear, you won’t need to carry everything with you every time you venture into a different region in The Zone. In STALKER 2, there’s a personal storage system for you – a yellow box, which is accessible in each base within the game. It’s worth noting that something not explicitly mentioned is that whatever you store in one location can be retrieved from anywhere else.

To ensure maximum agility and speed during expeditions, making use of this feature is crucial, especially when carrying a variety of guns and suits. Overloading yourself will slow you down, decrease your stamina recovery rate, increase the amount of stamina needed for sprinting, and in severe cases prevent sprinting altogether. Therefore, it’s important to maintain a balanced load to keep your equip load within acceptable limits.

Certain food items actually heal you

Finally, a good thing to know is that certain food items actually restore your health like bandages and first-aid kits do when eaten. Specifically, there are two that do this: bread and sausages. The others — canned food and condensed milk — don’t heal you at all, though they do combat hunger more effectively.

While the healing power of bread and sausage may initially appear minimal, it can surprisingly prove quite beneficial in certain scenarios. For instance, when I stumble upon a stockpile of these food items during an emergency situation where I’m severely wounded, they can help conserve medical supplies. Similarly, in situations where I merely need a small boost to reach full health, consuming bread or sausages is perfect for topping off my health meter.

The Zone calls, stalkers … good hunting

In STALKER 2, the initial tutorials offer fundamental knowledge for surviving within The Zone, yet there are additional tips and complex systems that, when utilized effectively, can provide significant advantages throughout your journey. Be aware, though, this game remains challenging – it’s a hardcore survival shooter, remember? Skills like efficiently dealing with mutants, boosting income, and maximizing healing potential from resources will consistently prove beneficial.

The highly anticipated game, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. This year, it’s been recognized as one of the top games for both Xbox and PC platforms. Priced at $59.99, it’s worth noting that you can currently find a discount on it at CDKeys. Additionally, you can enjoy playing it through Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

2024-11-23 01:09

5 things STALKER 2 doesn’t tell you that rookie stalkers absolutely need to know