#I like stalker the normal ammount

[lollich0p]

Why you yes YOU should play S.T.A.L.K.E.R Shadow over Chernobyl

Stalker is one of my favorite video game series ever and it's my sworn duty as a fan to tell people to go play a game from 2007. Stalker is a post-apoc open world survival shooter. I first played it when I was very young on my dads computer and never finished it because I wasn't supposed to be playing it at all, and I always remembered it as a walking sim. It is only kinda a walking sim and the rest of it is a intriguing look at an unusual nuclear apocalypse.

Pros: It may be the severe radiation but I absolutely love the games story and was extremely invested in it when I actually played through the whole thing as an adult. It's just a fairly interesting take on a very bad situation. (I'd definitely recommend watching this lore video after you play/watch all of them it's one of my favorites) It has delightfully dated graphics (your menu is a pda :D) that may be a little off putting but if you like older games this one will definitely be a favorite. It has an amazingly desolate atmosphere and the textures, modeling, and map design really give everything a real but slightly unnatural feel, you will feel in danger most of the game in the best way. The game has a really good sense of humor where appropriate and I have to tell you I had the biggest smile on my face watching a translated jokes video recently. I really love the voice acting, both the english and russian sounds good (I wish I could turn on the russian v/o for everything imo) I really like the slower gun combat it feels very good, like every second of combat really means something (also you can get a sniper rifle so its a 10/10 for me) The game has an amazing ost my favorite is Cordon You know that video of some guy sorting his storage in re4? That's how your inventory works. (you also have a stamina run bar that is effected by how much stuff you're carrying) This game is so old it could literally run on a toaster. (if you play on max settings please turn you contrast back up or else the game looks like shit) It has multiplayer if you wanna hang out with the homies. Plus it's literally six dollars on steam.

Cons: Right off the bat I wanna say the devs tried to do nfts with the property, the fans complained and they didn't in the end but if that would prevent you from buying the game I want you to know. The game has a very small english speaking fanbase so finding content can be a bit hard This game has scary and upsetting visuals (mutants, dead guys, darkroom combat) The game can get very difficult at certain points, especially for a new player. The combat is brutal and realistic (if you get shot with bullets it hurts alot) and you're heavily rewarded for taking the slow careful route at all times, the npcs are very clever they can and will sneak up on you and shoot you full of so many bullets. The controls can be a bit wonky and take some getting used to, for me personally it kinda strains my hand to manage standing upright/crouched/crawling with the default buttons. The game doesnt pause when you're looking at you inventory or at your PDA which can be annoying if you aren't used to it. You know that video of some guy sorting his storage in re4? Thats how your inventory works. (you also have a stamina run bar that is effected by how much stuff you're carrying) The ai can be a bit janky because the game is old. Sometimes characters will get stuck repeating voicelines or continually run into walls. This game crashes sooo much it's not funny (save often).

Thank you for coming to my TED talk please go play stalker for all it's flaws it's still a great game that I think more people need to play. Also once again it costs as much as three cheeseburgers from mcdonalds.

[bidisasterevanbuckley]

this is v much more of a filler and i kinda hate it adjfsdkf sorry

Caught in the Middle (3/?)

First prev. / next

Nervous energy was thrumming between the two boys. Bill had called a half hour ago, giving a heads up that he would be there within the hour. Richie hasn’t stopped bouncing his leg since their doorman called, approving of Bill bringing two guests up. Stan took a deep breath as he opened the door, hyper aware of Richie watching from the couch. The soft smiles Bill and Stan shared felt too private for the three sets of eyes in the room.

“Hey, come in. Please get comfy.” Stan got out once he shook from his daze, stepping aside letting the three in. Bill stayed back in an attempt to sneak a small kiss as Mike and Eddie joined Richie on the couches. Stan situated himself next to Richie, the close proximity calming both of their nerves just a tad.

“So how’s this gonna work?” Richie broke the silence, squeezing Stans hand that feels just as clammy as his own.

“Wuh-well, Mike and Eddie will be vuh-volunteering at your jobs a couple days this week. Gauging how heavily you need to muh-mon-monitored as this goes on without raising red flags that you are infact being guarded.” Bill was talking like a different person. Like he’s used to giving orders. Stan nodded along but put that fact away for another time.

“And what happens if it gets worse?” Richie near gasped as he covered is mouth with his free hand. Stan squeezed his hand yet again.

“Worse case for the time being we’ll have to house you somewhere else.” Mike cut in, prepared for this question.

“However within this week, we’re hoping to pick up on who has been following you two. See if this person is acting alone or it’s something bigger than an isolated stalker.” Eddie spoke so matter of fact. Like he’d already asked every question humanly possible. “I wouldn’t put it past an isolated stalker.I mean you two are conveniently attractive boys.”

Stan and Bill waited for Richies comment about being called attractive. Both snapping their heads to look at him when nothing came. “Chee? You still okay with this.” Stans voice was softer than Bill had ever heard. “You can back out whenever you want. You just have to say the word.” He turned parental at this point, holding up a hand motioning for the other three to not say anything. “If something happened, now is the best time to tell us." 

Richie finally made eye contact. "Thanks Stan. I’m sure it’s just paranoia.” Stan retuned his hand to Richies with a firm squeeze. He’d drop it for now, Richie wont open up infront of anyone new. 

Everyone felt out of place. The ammount of trust between the two, the softness Richie had displayed and how firm Stan was with him wasn’t their everyday. Atleast from what Bill has seen.

“You have say in what happens here, Richie.” Bills own voice came out soft, sparing a glance at Stan for approval to go on. “It’s your life first before we step in and mess with your flow of existance.”

Stan has a thankful smile as Richie uncurls from himself. Getting cozy in Stans side as the room relaxed coming down from the moment.

-

The most excitement that had occured was Bill showing up at Stans job, giving Eddie a break while he was stolen for his lunch break. Eddie may or may not of used is break to network around the book store freshly merged with a coffee shop. Mike however had stopped Richie from toppling down trying to teach the kids how to walk on their hands now. Richie was red for more than being upside down.

-

It was no coincidence, that Richie started requesting Mikes presence more than for just work once Bowers was back in town. It couldn’t have been, there’s a history between them, being all negative it was their job to look into it. Bill started coming over or sending Eddie when he couldn’t to stay with Stan when Mike was with Richie.

His little gang had been trickling into town, Bev was keeping tabs as best as she could. But they were yet to cuase trouble so they were on the back burner. Eddie and Stan were on a lunch run when Hockstetter showed is face. Stan wasn’t prepared to be manhandled so efficiently, they had been in and out of too many shops in the little strip and Stan couldn’t get his barrings together until they were locked in bathroom of the sandwich shop. He took note of the look of disgust that crossed Eddies face as he glaced around before typing away on his phone. “Why are we in here, Eddie?”

“I don’t trust Patrick Hockstetter on a normal day, let alone when he looks like he’s on the hunt for a neew toy.” Stan stood slack jawed just staring at the shorter male, catching a glimpse of what he was typing before being man handled out the room once again.

Keep an eye on Bowers gang.

He’ll have to write that down to look into later. After highschool it wouldn’t be a surprise that Henry was up to no good, especially with the friends he had. But what had they done that Eddie knew about them. Why did Bill know about them.

-

Richie was curled into Stans side, just being nosy as of what was cuasing the crease in Stans brow. Article after article about ‘Bowers gang’ only gave Stan information they already new. Vic and Belch still seemed to act like Henrys mindless goons and Patrick was still creepy. Patricks history since highschool had been more colorful, alot more speculation of attachments to missing people. But the chase stops whenever they show back up in Derry.

The justice system in Derry seeming too idiotic to look further into them. All being blanketed by Officer Bowers. No one wants to arrest the Sheriffs son or his friends.

“Can you believe they’re back.” Stan mumbles moreso to himself, expecting Richie to be asleep, considering how few comments he’s made on the articles. Considering Stan was reading them outloud.

“Hockstetter’s been creeping around for weeks.” Stans eyes near bugged out of his head, fucking weeks and Richie only mentions this when he’s barely awake.

“What the hell do you mean weeks?” Stan hears is voice crack like they’re kids again.

“Started taking a different route home. Hnags out by the arcade. Miss stopping there.” Richie’s barely coherent, exhaustion kicking in as he started to lightly snore.

“Fucking shit, Richie.” Stan almost yells to himself, reaching for his phone trying not to jostle the now sleeping boy too much. Texting into the new group chat the nice tidbit of information dropped on him.