From Bad to Great: Stalker's Epic Comeback
44sContrast between a dire situation and a sudden positive turn creates a suspenseful yet rewarding moment.
▶ Play ClipAI Summary
The video is a gameplay session of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, part 15 of a series, where the streamer explores the game's world, completes missions, and discusses the game's current state after a major update. The streamer also mentions being declined an early key for a game called 'Zero Company' and shares his excitement for it.
Chapters
[00:02]
Return to the Zone
The streamer returns to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 after an adventure, ready to continue playing. He mentions having things to do, like getting vodka into a stash and avoiding 'poppers' (anomalies).
[00:58]
Zero Company Key Denied
The streamer reveals he was declined an early key for the game 'Zero Company' and speculates it might be due to something he said about Disney or a brand. He says he'll play it anyway because he just wants to play good games.
[03:19]
Stash Looting Success
The streamer finds two artifacts in a stash, noting that looting stashes has been very useful so far, as both stashes they've done had really good loot.
[06:29]
NPC Rescue and Quest Line
The streamer rescues an NPC stuck in an anomaly. The NPC mentions his teacher and anomaly sense, hinting at a potential quest line. The streamer notes that in their first playthrough, this NPC died, so this is new content.
[15:34]
Code Puzzle Solved
The streamer finds a code for a safe: 'stick cobra porthole infinity'. He deciphers it (infinity = 8) and opens the safe, getting an open collimator sight. He appreciates that the game makes you work for the code.
[19:05]
Deal with a Stalker
The streamer encounters a stalker who offers a deal: coordinates to Shakh's stash in exchange for letting him go. The streamer accepts, learning about a betrayal involving 'The Dom' and 'The Shakh'.
[24:45]
Embervale Gamescom Presence
The streamer clarifies that Embervale (his game studio) does not have an official presence at Gamescom, though some voice actors will be there.
[25:24]
Improved AI and Encounters
The streamer notes that the game's AI is much better after the update. In the first playthrough, AI was broken, but now he's encountered 10 times more people, making the world feel more alive, though he now has to be careful not to shoot the wrong people.
[27:24]
Combat Difficulty
The streamer discusses combat difficulty, noting that enemy accuracy seems reduced compared to the first playthrough, but it's still brutal. He mentions fighting a tier two enemy group was tough.
[28:11]
Mission Turn-in and Vendor Refresh
The streamer turns in a mission to a vendor and asks chat about how often vendors refresh their wares, learning it's every night.
The streamer is enjoying his return to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 after the update, noting significant improvements in AI and world density. He's also looking forward to playing Zero Company despite being denied a key.
Mentioned in this Video
💡 Key Takeaways
💡
Zero Company Key Denied
Reveals the streamer's stance on game access and his willingness to play games regardless of publisher relations.
00:58
🔧
Code Puzzle Solved
Demonstrates the game's puzzle mechanics and the streamer's appreciation for non-linear problem-solving.
15:34
📊
Improved AI and Encounters
Highlights the significant improvement in game AI after the update, making the world feel more alive.
25:24
💡
Combat Difficulty
Provides insight into the game's difficulty balance and how it has changed with the update.
27:24Full Transcript
[00:02] yo. How are all of you doing today? Good to see you. Welcome to our power hour of Stalker. I am back after an adventure. I am back after an adventure. And uh it's it's we're back. Let's make
[00:15] it happen, man. Let's do this. We got things to do. We got things to do. Like get some vodka into this stash. And not die to poppers. The Oh god, that's a lot of Oh, that's a
[00:44] Woah. A life, you beautiful bastard. That went from a really bad situation to a pretty good one. Yeah, okay.
[00:58] Dude, um yeah, not only am I not doing a sponsor, uh I was declined an early key. tomorrow. Um yeah. They have uh they they have passed on
[01:11] Mr. Co Carnage for everything regarding Zero Company.
[01:29] So, yeah, I can't wait to try it. I don't I don't care if a company's doing some tomfoolery and blacklists me or something, whatever. Uh I I just want to play good games. So, we're going to try it regardless. I
[01:42] don't care if we don't get a key. Whatever.
[01:56] my guess is I may have said something disparaging to to Disney or the brand at something. And they probably didn't like it. Mhm. Hopefully one day they'll be willing to
[02:11] >> [laughter] >> We will we'll we'll do whatever we do. Um we didn't actually get the stash. Let's go back and do that. No, it wasn't it wasn't EA. No, EA EA was actually really really cool about
[02:24] it, but Nope, wasn't EA. Mhm. You got a crazy looking mushroom growing behind you? I do. I do.
[02:38] Hopefully they'll guard us while we do this. That'd be nice. Co is the worst. To be fair, I am kind of the worst. So, I mean, you know, it it checks out. Mhm.
[02:51] Mhm. It does. Wars stuff, dude. I'm super looking forward to Zero Company.
[03:05] I'm not really sure. They're not really telling me what's going on. They're just I I don't really know, but it's obviously something. obviously something. That's okay. It's whatever.
[03:19] Here we go. And for he Oh, ho ho. What? There's two artifacts in here?
[03:33] Don't do it. Don't do it. We'll come back for you later. later. Mhm. getting great reviews. It's It's It's looking like it's going to be awesome.
[03:49] I'm super excited going it tomorrow morning. Yeah, it looks like it's going to be great. >> And for a lot of people, including me, it's like
[04:03] >> [laughter] >> Like awesome. Let's do this. I found it super useful to loot the stashes. We've done two of them so far, and they both had really good loot.
[04:32] be a Don't be a Don't Don't Don't Don't beep. >> OVER [screaming] HERE, STORMTROOPER.
[04:46] Over here. Oh, stormtrooper. >> COME OVER HERE. JUST A FEW STEPS AWAY.
[05:09] >> YOU'RE MY [ __ ] SAVIOR, MAN. GOD, AM I EVER GLAD TO SEE YOU. EVER GLAD TO SEE YOU. GET ME OUT OF HERE.
[05:24] >> One step at a time, my friend. One step at a time.
[05:39] We're going to come back and get the the other stuff later. other stuff later. Let's do a save.
[06:29] >> Man, I thought I was going to die of old age in that damn anomaly. stroke of luck. Almost like when I met my teacher.
[06:43] anomaly on your own? >> This guy was bugged in our first play >> My teacher said I got to work on my anomaly sense. That I can trust my gut instead of relying on some fancy gear.
[06:56] after an artifact. I even left my bolts at the camp. You think it worked? No [ __ ] way, man. artifact. I was tired as hell and about to turn
[07:10] That's when my anomaly sense [ __ ] the bed on me. here. >> Damn. I think I've earned a reward, don't you? >> Sure thing. I can offer you some money
[07:24] or maybe an artifact. It's not exactly hot [ __ ] but it's all No, you can keep it. That's cool. You keep it. Yeah.
[07:37] You're a goddamn good Samaritan or something. That's the word, right? Respect, man. I can't thank you enough. give me a holler. I'll introduce you to my teacher.
[07:51] >> Maybe he'll take you under his wing. >> Dude, is this guy like the start of a whole quest line? In our first play through, he died. Like everything. I think I worked on it for like
[08:04] could save him. So, This sounds awesome. We're going to have to see what all this is now.
[08:20] All right. Now, how are we going to do this?
[09:31] Damn, I can't tell if it's moving. I think it's moving.
[10:02] Okay. Um that suit, right? Worked out great, didn't it?
[10:48] It's like walking over this whole ass area.
[11:05] HEY! HEY!
[11:19] >> BRO, WHAT? THAT THING just shot OUT OF THERE.
[11:40] do you do? Electrical protection and radiation. Wonderful. Okay. Damn. area right now. Cuz it looks locked. Let's see if we can
[11:52] Cuz it looks locked. Let's see if we can get in here though. Oh, we can go inside down here maybe? Ooh. Woah.
[12:28] but Oh, what is this? Okay. Clearly it's bugged. [music] Um
[13:12] How are we supposed to do that? Maybe we need a key for that other door. later. I'm pretty sure.
[13:24] I'm pretty sure. Cuz I don't I we can get to the roof. Oh. Correction.
[13:57] up? Electric field safe stash.
[14:39] It didn't do nearly as much damage as it did last time. Now, it said we got an electronic field safe thing, but we didn't get a code,
[14:51] right? So, where where Hold on. It's got to It's got to be in here something somewhere here.
[15:34] all the notes about the car and all that stuff. And for those that don't know, uh my car, I I got a flat tire last night left my car there and had to coordinate getting it towed and everything and just
[15:47] whole-ass towing experience and it's a it's a thing. Anyway. Um so, the code is stick cobra porthole the code is stick cobra porthole infinity.
[16:04] Nope. All right, stick cobra porthole Okay. Um
[16:17] Maybe snake? Porthole infinity is a zero, infinity is eight. AH, THERE IT IS. NICE.
[16:29] open collimator sight. Remember the car with coupons? Hell yeah, nice one. Beautiful. That was super cool, I like We're not just going to give you the code, we're going to make you work for
[16:42] it. That's nice. Love that stuff. All right, let's go right on down to All right, let's go right on down to here.
[16:54] Seven was cobra. Yep. Cobra. >> Something's off. >> Oh.
[18:19] >> Are these bad guys? I mean >> Probably.
[18:37] >> Man, I do need some NIGHT VISION GOGGLES.
[19:05] >> HOLD ON, STALKER. Don't shoot. If you're after the package, you can have it. I don't want anything to do with it. So, the Dom and his stupid ideas. I knew he'd [ __ ] it up. Let's make a
[19:18] I knew he'd [ __ ] it up. Let's make a deal, huh? I can explain everything. >> Sure. Explain away. >> No one was supposed to get hurt. The Dom and two of my men were supposed to come to the spot early and tell the
[19:31] courier the Shakh had dispatched them to pick up the shipment, but the courier must have suspected something. The deal was delayed. So, the Dom had to stick around and then the Shakh's men showed up.
[19:44] Now, I just want to stay alive and get I'll give you something, but the Shakh didn't pay us [ __ ] Oh, I know the coordinates for his stash.
[19:57] >> Sold. >> A nice one from the mainland. Take it and the package and let me go. Deal? Shakh? >> Because the bastard screwed us out of
[20:10] our cut. He's gone off his rocker with greed. thing. Those suckers are there to get fleeced. >> But now he's lashing out at his own. The guy is paranoid.
[20:24] He keeps our money for himself and shows no respect to any of us. him, but they're scared shitless. >> Okay. All right, give me the goods and the info on Shakh's stash.
[20:37] >> I knew we could figure something out. I sent you the coordinates for both. Piece of advice, though, don't show that gun at the Brute Bar. The Shakh doesn't look too kindly on guys who touch his stuff.
[20:51] what's left of them outside. Stand down, boys. Leave this one alone. Stand down, boys. Leave this one alone. We had a deal.
[21:10] Um sounds like they're still not really feeling this.
[21:24] I think someone else is attacking right now.
[21:56] I'm having a phenomenal time revisiting this game.
[22:12] I hear Oh. I was going to say I hear footsteps.
[22:46] Hooray. Okay. Sorry, chat. I know those were your people. I do apologize. It's nothing personal.
[23:00] Don't you rat jam me. Don't you rat jam me, chat. GET GET THAT OUT OF MY CHAT ROOM. It feels personal. No, you will pay for this. Absolutely not, friends. Um
[23:12] Um No. I'm I'm No. No. Nope. Nope. Nope. I I don't approve of None None of this is okay. This is all Mods, every name on here, ban them. That
[23:26] Especially that one. All of them. All right, let's go. Mhm. They can get in the other way. Maybe we have to go through the rat jam.
[23:46] we can't harvest any of them for parts? Maybe Maybe blowing them up with a grenade means we can't loot them for parts. Oh, man. Well, I totally missed that. I'm not a real gamer.
[23:58] I'm a faux gamer. A famer. All right. Wonderful.
[24:12] Wonderful. Um we're going to go back here. Perfect.
[24:31] can grab this on the way up. Oh, whoa, whoa. Don't stand next to that, please.
[24:45] Uh Story of Us says, "Is Embervale Gamescom?" No. No, not officially. We some of our VAs and stuff, but we don't have an official presence there. Nope. have an official presence there. Nope. Nope.
[25:24] I mean, it's little things, but in our first playthrough, I could literally count the amount of times on one hand that we just saw people out in the wild randomly. Cuz when we played, remember AI was or
[25:37] the the whole the whole ace like all of it was broken. It was broken. work. So, even though it is not perfect, I think we already had a pop-in a spawn-in to be honest. It is so much
[25:50] better. It is so much better now. Like at this point in the game, I have encountered 10 times the amount of people we did our entire last playthrough. And I really like that. I will say I
[26:02] earlier though cuz now there's so many encounters that I'm starting to avoid shooting the wrong people. >> [laughter] night and day thing if we can like look at a group and be like there's the good
[26:16] guys, there's the bad guys. Let's go, you know, like that's going to be great. So, hopefully we will get there in a but I am looking forward to to messing with
[26:28] yet though. We can buy one pair of binoculars, but apparently that pair does not mark is what chat told me. So, um yeah.
[26:44] like the original Stalker trilogy style marking, which I heard are in the game, I mean, you know, maybe maybe not exactly. We'll see. We'll We're going to find it all out together. Uh let's just kind of go around this for
[26:57] weight, right? I mean, we could go turn in. That way we can at least stay out longer.
[27:24] through walls? So, no. No. The It is still difficult. We We fought a tier two enemy group, and it was pretty brutal. I mean, they were you peek out and you get like a burst to your face kind of thing.
[27:38] But, I will say I remember almost all encounters in the lasers. Doesn't really feel like that. So, I think I think they've reduced it, for sure.
[27:52] I think they've reduced it, for sure. But, it's still pretty brutal. >> Ooh. He's got a new mission. Oh, yeah.
[28:11] Let's go say I knew we had a turn in here. >> Take your pick, Stalker. My prices are fair. >> You wanted me to find that shipment your courier couldn't deliver.
[28:24] courier couldn't deliver. >> Yeah, and I'm still waiting for it. The job's done. >> You're a man of your word, I see. Well, so am I. Your coupons are on the way.
[28:38] Thanks, buddy. >> Take your pick, Stalker. My prices are >> Take your pick, Stalker. My prices are fair. You got some loot? Let me have a look.
[28:58] >> Uh, remind me chat, how often do vendors refresh their wares? the stalker verse? They do they do refresh every so often, They do they do refresh every so often, right?
[29:13] Pretty sure. Every night? Okay.
[29:25] dude. >> Bring back some loot next time.
