I've honestly had difficulty deciding, whether or not to recommend this DLC. There are some things that are really good, and some, that are horrible, but overall, I've had a decent time.
If anyone reads this, please note, that originally I didn't recommend the base game, before 2.0, so look at it with a grain of salt.
Let's start off with the good things.
- I really liked delving into [spoiler] Tachenko's [/spoiler] story. Something about it was just so befitting of Duty's leader, and at least in this case, I wasn't not satisfied. The end boss was quite good too.
- FINALLY, the two old factions got some action, and just for these few hours, it felt like good old Stalker again,
- added Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is beautiful, and for the first time, I actually made screenshots from in-game for myself.
- The Iron Forest is BY FAR the best location in the game. Interesting, loving the transmissions anomaly, just such a mood!
- Zulu was aura farming every time he arrived on screen
Now, for some bad things:
- the endings are moronical, and don't do ANYTHING for the larger story of the game. It's literally like a side quest you do while world burns around you.
- CNPP was so sidetracked. I get it, that the Nuclear Power Plant is no longer a center of attention for stalkers since not much is there, but it actually hurt to not find anything of value in there.
- the side missions with the unique artifact (you know which one) and taking over the territory of the enemy faction in CNPP are the WORST MISSIONS I'VE EVER PLAYED IN ANY GAME. Remember Helicopter missions from GTA VC? That beats it. Just grindy, unnecessary, and the rewards kind of suck, at least for me.
- the timing of the mission is so bad - I went to the Iron Forest ASA the game allowed me, right after Slag Heap. And proceeded as far as I could. And faced the new mutant with an m860 Cracker being my best weapon... I mean, really?
- The new mutant is cool... but fighting against it is some misunderstanding. But maybe that's a skill issue.
- I kind of wished Lymansk was added fully... but perhaps next time.
- I also kind of wished for Duty to have some interaction with Ward, seeing how they [spoiler] come from the military [/spoiler], but perhaps it is there, just I chose the wrong faction.
- also, where the hell did they all get so many new recruits in both Duty and Freedom? I must have killed half the zone in the CNPP, lmao.
