Info about STALCRAFT: X: Official game description: STALCRAFT: X is an exciting online MMOFPS game with Survival Horror elements. It combines open world, RPG and dynamic shooter. For more than 10 years, our team has been creating a unique living world of Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, that will give you new emotions and impressions. GAMEPLAY DESCRIPTION -------------------- Dive into the world through an atypical for MMO cinematic non-linear storyline, which creates the feeling of passing single-player game in the stalker setting for dozens of hours. In the Zone, your choices always matter, and you'll be able to try on any role and find an activity to your taste: hunting for artefacts or players with artefacts, exploring territories and caches, trading, science, banditry, faction wars and a huge variety of other PvP and PvE activities. You'll also have your own hideout for resting and preparing for new raids, which you can equip with various furniture and useful structures for crafting. LIVING OPEN WORLD ----------------- The world of STALCRAFT: X will truly surprise you. In addition to real players creating unique situations for each other, it is filled with NPCs and mutants living their normal lives, as well as factions fighting and trading with each other. The zone is not only dangerous, but also a very beautiful place — various anomalies affect the view of the area and add a special charm to the post-apocalyptic world. At all locations you can be shot by players from another faction, but you will not lose your equipment and progress, but will lose most of the resources you've gained during your trip. Thanks to this, you will keep the thrill of each raid, and failures will not be fatal. UNIQUE COMBINATION OF FPS AND RPG GENRES ---------------------------------------- The balance of weapons is not typical for open-world MMOs and is rather reminiscent of session shooters like Counter Strike and Call of Duty. We characterise the shooter component as fast-paced, tied primarily to shooting skills and terrain knowledge. Over the years, we have managed to combine FPS and RPG elements in a unique combination, which makes STALCRAFT: X special among other games of a similar genre. PROGRESSION AND OPEN ECONOMY ---------------------------- Don't let the MMO genre scare you. There are no levels in our game, and development happens by obtaining new equipment in many ways, including buying it from other players. STALCRAFT: X has an open economy, where everyone can become a famous merchant without leaving the base! By the way, there are no wipes in our game — this means that your progress will be saved forever and will not be deleted. DISTRIBUTION MODEL ------------------ Our game is distributed for free, but monetisation is organised on a “Pay for time” model. Any items can be obtained in-game, but the soft monetisation method allows you to speed up some areas of character progression or get cosmetic items. Release date: Dec 9, 2022 Categories: MMO, First-Person Shooter, Survival Horror, Open-World Exploration, Character Progression, Crafting, PvP, PvE Feature scans: - MTX: score 90; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The game is heavily criticized for its aggressive pay-to-win mechanics and monetization strategies. Players feel forced to spend real money to progress and enjoy the full experience. The excessive grinding and time-gating mechanics further frustrate players, making the game feel like a chore. While there are some positive aspects, such as earning gear and progressing through the battle pass, the overall sentiment is negative due to the predatory monetization practices. - Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The game suffers from a significant lack of in-game instructions, forcing players to rely on external resources or trial-and-error to progress. Additionally, there are technical issues that disrupt the gaming experience. - Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game has significant issues with its anti-cheat system and lacks proper controller support, which are critical for a good Steam Deck experience. While the game is well-optimized and runs smoothly on various systems, including Linux, the stability and control issues reported by some users cannot be ignored. Addressing these issues could greatly enhance the overall user experience. - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: - Community fair range: $0.00 - $10.00 - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community considers the game to be of low monetary value. Several reviews mention that the game is not worth spending money on, with specific mentions of high in-game prices (e.g., 100k rubles) and general sentiments that the game is not worth the investment. Additionally, some reviews indicate that the game is worth trying only because it is free, implying that it would not be worth a significant price. - Playtime Metrics: - Game completion: 1753.0h - Story completion: 30.0h - Session length: 4.0h - Endgame: 200.0h - Reasoning: The evidence provided includes multiple references to the amount of time players spend on the game. One player mentions playing the game habitually for 4-8 hours every day or every other day, indicating a significant time investment. Another player references someone with 5000 hours, suggesting that the game can be played extensively. Additionally, a player explicitly states they have played for 1753 hours, and another mentions having over 1000 hours of progress. These quotes highlight the extensive playtime hours invested by players, which helps estimate typical playtime metrics. - Time-to-fun: - Summary: The game is fun initially, especially in the early and mid-game stages, but becomes less enjoyable and more grindy in the later stages, particularly after reaching the 'bar' stage of progression. - Stance: Fun then drops - Anchor: Reaching the 'bar' stage of progression - Time to anchor: 10h 0m - Friction: High material costs in later stages; Difficult and unpredictable PvP encounters; Repetitive and grindy gameplay loop - Unlock drivers: Completing early and mid-game story missions; Cooperative play with friends - Conditions: Playing with friends; Focusing on story and side missions; Avoiding end-game PvP areas initially - Player Archetypes: - Dedicated Grinder (buy) - Motivation: Long-term progression and mastery - Playstyle: Grinding and long play sessions - Experience: veteran - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: Stalker fan; MMO player - Reference games: STALKER; Black Desert; New World - Critical Non-Recommender (no buy) - Motivation: Seeking a better gaming experience - Playstyle: Critical and evaluative - Experience: mixed - Purchase stance: no buy - Labels: Critical player; Disappointed gamer - Reference games: STALKER; Minecraft - Casual Time-Passer (sale) - Motivation: Occupying free time - Playstyle: Casual and non-competitive - Experience: familiar - Purchase stance: sale - Labels: Casual gamer; Time-killer - Reference games: STALKER; Minecraft Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category. Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews. What players like: - Engaging and immersive storyline (weight 0.1): The game features an engaging and immersive storyline that keeps players hooked for long hours. The plot is enjoyable and challenging, providing a detailed and well-thought-out narrative. - Variety in gameplay (weight 0.09): The game offers a wide range of play styles, missions, and activities. This variety caters to different types of players and keeps the gameplay experience diverse and interesting. - Well-developed and addictive gameplay (weight 0.08): The gameplay is well-developed, addictive, and time-consuming. It features a detailed world design and extensive content, making it a story-focused and flexible experience. - Enjoyable early game experience (weight 0.08): The early game is particularly enjoyable, with engaging initial gameplay and atmosphere. Players find the core game and early stages fun and immersive. - Frequent updates and improvements (weight 0.07): The game is well-made and constantly updated with frequent improvements. The developers are active in updating and enhancing the game. - Similar to STALKER series (weight 0.07): The game is compared favorably to the STALKER series, featuring a similar atmosphere and appeal to fans of the series. - Deep progression systems (weight 0.07): The game features a deep and satisfying progression system, including character progression and an economic system. Players find the progression enjoyable and interesting. - Highly polished and immersive (weight 0.06): The game is extremely well-polished and immersive, with a fully developed storyline and appealing atmosphere and game mechanics. - Unique MMO-shooter combination (weight 0.05): The game is noted for its unique blend of MMO and shooter elements, making it stand out in the genre. - High potential and excellent concept (weight 0.05): The game has a lot of potential and an excellent concept. Players recognize the potential and unique ideas within the game. - Plenty of content (weight 0.04): The game offers a lot of content, including plenty of PvE content, providing players with numerous activities and events. - Good loot system (weight 0.04): The game features a good loot system that encourages exploration and loot hunting, adding depth to the gameplay. - Diverse and beautiful locations (weight 0.04): The game includes diverse and beautiful locations, along with a variety of activities and events, enriching the gameplay experience. - Engaging PvP and PvE elements (weight 0.04): The game combines engaging PvP and PvE elements, offering a balanced and enjoyable multiplayer experience. - Realistic and intense combat (weight 0.04): The game features realistic and intense combat, with an improved combat system that enhances the gameplay experience. - Voxel graphics create unique atmosphere (weight 0.03): The use of voxel graphics creates a distinctive atmosphere, described as dreamlike and unsettling, adding to the game's appeal. - Better with friends (weight 0.03): The game is more enjoyable when played with friends, offering a social and cooperative experience. - Atmospheric environment and sound (weight 0.03): The game features an atmospheric environment and sound design, enhancing the overall immersion. - Varied quests (weight 0.03): The game offers varied quests and new quest lines, providing players with diverse objectives and activities. - Enjoyable shooting mechanics (weight 0.03): The game offers enjoyable shooting mechanics, along with good movement and gameplay mechanics, contributing to a satisfying experience. - Tense and thrilling atmosphere (weight 0.03): The game features a tense and thrilling atmosphere, with gritty and intense moments that enhance the overall experience. Common complaints: - Excessive Grinding (weight 0.2): Players frequently mention that the game involves too much grinding, which can be tedious and frustrating. The grind is particularly noted to be excessive in the endgame and for gear progression. - Developers Ignoring Feedback (weight 0.16): There is a significant amount of feedback indicating that developers are not listening to the community or addressing player concerns. This has led to frustration and a sense of disregard from the developers. - Unbalanced PvP (weight 0.13): Players report that PvP is unbalanced, with issues ranging from weapon balance to matchmaking and faction imbalances. This makes the PvP experience frustrating and unfair. - Lack of Endgame Content (weight 0.1): Many players feel that there is a lack of meaningful endgame content, leading to a boring and repetitive experience. The endgame is described as dead and lacking variety. - Pay-to-Win Mechanics (weight 0.09): Players are frustrated with the pay-to-win mechanics, including microtransactions and battle passes that give paying players an unfair advantage. - Ineffective Anti-Cheat System (weight 0.08): The anti-cheat system is criticized for being ineffective, leading to a high number of cheaters in the game, especially in the endgame. - Poor Task Guidance (weight 0.08): The game is criticized for having poor task guidance, lack of tutorials, and unclear objectives. This makes it difficult for players to understand what they need to do. - Broken Balance (weight 0.06): The game's balance is reported to be broken, with issues that ruin the potential of the game. Players feel that the balance is structured to make them weaker as they progress. - Lack of Fun and Preparation (weight 0.06): Players mention a lack of fun and preparation in the game, along with issues like incompetent leadership and lack of tactical actions. - Server and Performance Issues (weight 0.06): Players report server load issues, performance issues, and optimization problems, which affect the overall gameplay experience. - Poor Customer Support (weight 0.06): There is criticism of poor technical and customer support, with slow response times and lack of updates from the developers. - Difficult for Solo Players (weight 0.05): The game is noted to be difficult for solo players and beginners, with a lack of solo mode and high difficulty levels. - Toxic Multiplayer Environment (weight 0.05): The multiplayer environment is described as toxic, with players exhibiting toxic behavior and creating a negative gameplay experience. - Unresponsive Gameplay (weight 0.04): Players report unresponsive controls and frustrating gameplay mechanics, which detract from the overall experience. - Nerfing Rewards (weight 0.04): There is frustration with the nerfing of event rewards and battle pass rewards, which players feel are disappointing and not worth the effort. - Recent Update Issues (weight 0.04): Recent updates are criticized for ruining the game and making it unplayable. Players feel that these updates are cash grabs and negatively impact the gameplay. - Poor UI and Game Design (weight 0.03): The game is criticized for poor UI design and functionality, as well as poor game design decisions that affect the overall experience. - Technical Issues (weight 0.03): Players report various technical issues, including hit registration problems and netcode issues, which affect the gameplay experience. - Frustration with Player Progression (weight 0.03): Players express frustration with player progression, including gear progression and overall game progression, which they find disappointing and tedious. - Player Killing Issues (weight 0.03): There are reports of constant player killing and frustration with player killers, which negatively impact the gameplay experience. - Looting Mechanics Issues (weight 0.03): Players report issues with looting mechanics, including loot loss and distribution problems, which affect the overall gameplay experience. - Campers Near Exits (weight 0.03): There are reports of campers near exits and the presence of campers, which can be frustrating for players trying to progress in the game. - Waste of Player Time (weight 0.03): Players feel that the game is a waste of their time, requiring a lot of time and effort without providing a rewarding experience. Gameplay feedback: - PvP and PvE Integration (weight 0.11): The game features a mix of PvP and PvE activities, including open PvPvE zones and various end-game PvP modes. Players appreciate the variety but note issues with balancing and ambushing mechanics. - Player Behavior and Interactions (weight 0.1): Player interactions and behavior significantly impact the gameplay experience. The game includes solo and team play, with a player matching system that affects overall enjoyment. - Balancing Issues (weight 0.1): Balancing issues are prevalent, particularly in PvP and PvE dynamics. Players report problems with weapon balancing and overall game mechanics. - Stalker Gameplay and Setting (weight 0.09): The game features classic Stalker gameplay with exploration, shooting, survival, and quests, set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. It is inspired by the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series and includes cooperative multiplayer elements. - Gear and Inventory Management (weight 0.08): Gear levels and upgrading are crucial, with gear-based matchmaking affecting player interactions. Inventory and resource management are also important aspects of gameplay. - Story and Exploration (weight 0.08): The game offers story-driven gameplay with a focus on open-world exploration and lore. However, some players find the grind-heavy mechanics and storyline progression to be tedious. - Farming and Looting (weight 0.08): Farming mechanics and looting systems are integral to progression. Players spend time farming resources and hunting for loot to upgrade their gear. - Progression Systems (weight 0.07): The game features multiple progression systems, including campaign progression, battle pass, and character progression. Players have mixed feelings about the pacing and mechanics. - Crafting and Trading (weight 0.07): Crafting systems allow players to create weapons and armor, but there are limitations and balancing issues. Trading is also a part of the game's economy. - Monetization and Economy (weight 0.06): The game includes various monetization strategies, such as in-game currency and pay-to-win mechanics. Players have mixed feelings about the economy and item loss. - Events and Activities (weight 0.05): Community-driven and seasonal events provide additional content and activities. These events are well-received and add to the game's replayability. - MMORPG with FPS Elements (weight 0.04): The game combines MMORPG elements with FPS gameplay, creating a unique blend of genres. Players enjoy the combination but note some balancing issues. - Endgame Grind (weight 0.04): The late-game grind for equipment and progression can be tedious, with players spending significant time on repetitive tasks. - Faction Wars (weight 0.03): Faction wars and imbalances are a significant aspect of the game. Players choose factions and engage in warfare, but imbalances can affect enjoyment. - Mission and Map Design (weight 0.03): Mission design and structure, along with map layout, contribute to the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate well-designed missions and maps. - Operations and Rewards (weight 0.03): The operations game mode offers a risk and reward system that players find engaging and rewarding. Performance notes: - Optimization issues (weight 0.09): The game suffers from significant optimization problems, particularly in crowded areas and on various hardware configurations, including high-end systems. - Network issues (weight 0.08): There are widespread network-related problems, including lag, packet loss, high ping, and desync issues, affecting gameplay quality. - Performance drops and low FPS (weight 0.06): The game experiences performance drops and low FPS on various systems, including low-end and high-end PCs, impacting gameplay smoothness. - Server instability (weight 0.06): Server-related issues are common, including queue problems, stability, maintenance, and low tick rates, leading to a poor online experience. - Frequent crashes and bugs (weight 0.04): Players experience frequent game crashes and bugs, which disrupt the gaming experience and indicate stability issues. - Texture and model loading (weight 0.03): Players report issues with texture and model loading times, which can cause delays and affect the visual quality of the game. - Graphics and visibility (weight 0.03): Players mention issues related to graphics settings and visibility, including problems with brightness and the need to lower settings for better visibility. - Low-end PC support (weight 0.03): There are issues with game performance on low-end PCs, indicating a lack of optimization for weaker hardware. - Hit registration issues (weight 0.02): There are problems with hit registration, affecting the accuracy and responsiveness of in-game actions. - Infinite freezes during fights (weight 0.02): There are reports of infinite freezes during fights, which significantly disrupt gameplay and can be frustrating for players. - Frequent technical work (weight 0.02): The game undergoes frequent technical work, which can disrupt gameplay and indicate ongoing issues that need addressing. - Blocky humanoids and terrain (weight 0.01): Due to the game's Minecraft origins, there are issues with blocky humanoids and terrain, which may affect the visual appeal for some players. - Internet consumption (weight 0.01): Players report high internet consumption, which can be a concern for those with limited data plans. - Screenshot problems (weight 0.01): Players encounter problems with taking screenshots, which can be a minor but notable inconvenience. Recommendations: - Recommended for STALKER fans (weight 0.08): This game is highly recommended for fans of the STALKER series and those who enjoy survival games with an atmospheric MMO experience. - Unique atmosphere and gameplay (weight 0.05): The game is praised for its unique atmosphere and immersive gameplay, blending FPS, shoot and loot, PvE, and PvP elements effectively. - Good for online and free-to-play fans (weight 0.05): It is recommended for fans of online games and those who enjoy free-to-play games, offering a good entry into the genre. - Technical improvements needed (weight 0.04): Suggestions include implementing real anti-cheat measures, fixing specific issues like the killbox at the Bar, and addressing open-world PvP problems. - Worth trying despite rough edges (weight 0.03): The game is considered worth trying, even with some rough edges, and is worth your time if you haven't enjoyed it before. - Mixed recommendations (weight 0.02): While some reviews highly recommend the game, others do not, indicating a mixed reception among players. - Specific gameplay tips (weight 0.02): Tips include playing at night or during low online activity for a better experience and buying a Hazmat suit early in the game. - Play with friends for better experience (weight 0.02): Playing with friends is recommended to learn and enjoy the game more easily, enhancing the overall experience. - Add single-player mode (weight 0.02): Players have suggested adding a single-player mode to provide more gameplay options. - Promotional code available (weight 0.01): Players can use a specific code to get free premium items, which might enhance the gaming experience. Other player notes: No miscpoints Emotions: - Frustration (weight 0.44): Players are frustrated due to a variety of technical issues, such as game crashes, server problems, and bugs. Additionally, the presence of cheaters, unbalanced PvP mechanics, excessive grinding, and pay-to-win elements contribute significantly to this frustration. - Disappointment (weight 0.15): Players express disappointment mainly due to the lack of endgame content, repetitive gameplay, and excessive monetization. The shift towards a pay-to-win model, along with developer decisions that ignore player feedback and encourage harmful behaviors, also contribute to this sentiment. - Anger (weight 0.14): Anger is primarily caused by unbalanced PvP mechanics, pay-to-win elements, and poor customer support. Technical issues, ineffective developer actions against cheaters, and aggressive monetization strategies further exacerbate this emotion. - Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Players enjoy the game due to its engaging gameplay mechanics, variety of modes, and the sense of progression. The atmosphere, storyline, and active community also contribute to a positive experience. - Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Satisfaction comes from the game's complex economy, engaging storyline, and survival mechanics. The community support, unique survival experience, and fair matchmaking also add to the overall satisfaction. - Excitement (weight 0.04): The game's intense and engaging gameplay, combined with its unique mechanics and emotional investment in items, creates a sense of excitement. The risk and reward loop, along with the engaging plot, further enhance this feeling. - Disappointment (weight 0.02): Players feel disappointed due to the overall quality of the game and difficulties in progression. Issues with player matching, late-game grinding, and weapon balance also contribute to this sentiment. - Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia is evoked by memories of the game's early days and its unique gameplay experiences. The game reminds players of their youth and past enjoyable experiences. - Joy (weight 0.01): Joy is derived from exploring the game world, finding unique items, and engaging in enjoyable gameplay. The tense and thrilling moments, along with the variety of weapons, add to this positive emotion. - Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm stems from the game's unique gameplay, extensive world, and positive community interactions. The detailed game features and engaging atmosphere also contribute to this feeling. - Satisfaction (weight 0.01): Satisfaction comes from the game's atmosphere and mechanics, as well as playing with friends. The unique gameplay and emotional experiences add to this sense of fulfillment. - Love (weight 0.01): Players express love for the game due to its unique feel, progression, and the positive emotions it evokes. The game's ability to create memorable experiences contributes to this deep affection. - Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is caused by problems with donations, a toxic community, and the dominance of experienced players over newcomers. Issues with game balance and player interactions further fuel this emotion. - Boredom (weight 0): Boredom arises from repetitive farming and unengaging gameplay. The lack of variety and engaging content leads to this sentiment. - Happiness (weight 0): Happiness is derived from enjoying the game's campaign, PVP mechanics, and overall engaging experience. Positive feedback and enjoyable moments contribute to this emotion. - Contentment (weight 0): Contentment comes from the game's good audio and wide audience appeal. The overall enjoyable experience and positive aspects of the game contribute to this feeling. - Sadness (weight 0): Sadness is expressed due to the game being in a poor state and seemingly on the verge of dying. The decline in game quality and player base leads to this emotion. - Hope (weight 0): Hope is derived from the developers' efforts to improve the game. The potential for future updates and enhancements contributes to this positive sentiment. - Hopeful (weight 0): Players feel hopeful due to improvements in grind and PVE content. The promise of better gameplay experiences and updates contributes to this emotion. - Addiction (weight 0): Addiction is caused by the engaging gameplay loop, despite its flaws. The compelling mechanics and rewarding experiences keep players hooked.}