Why I love stalker #21 - 15 year old game has better AI than any AAA modern game

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Please read full video description for links to repacks and best S.T.A.L.K.E.R. mods
For best S.T.A.L.K.E.R. mods and download links read full description.
Stalker playlists for binge watching:

Guide for new to Stalker series wanting to start the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience recommended games are all three vanilla games from 2007 - Shadow of Chernobyl, 2008 - Clear Skies, 2009 - Call of Pripyat or vanilla games + mods modernizing the gameplay which you can find in detailed description below.

Here is list of the best repacks/modpacks for original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games/standalones.
Each option is separate, pick one option from below:
IMPORTANT: if you see - Repack - means game is all in one packed in parts for your convinience, you just need to download all the parts, place them all in new folder and start unpacking from part1 with Winrar 6.0+ 64bit or 7zip latest.

It's a repack, put all rar files in a new folder and start unpacking from the first part, the rest will unpack automatically, use Winrar 6.0/7zip or newer, 22gb download, 40gb unpacked, if you want all seasons graphic pack for EFP:SE it's optional download, unpack and copy to Mod Organizer Folder/mods.
EFP:SE
Google Drive:
All seasons graphic pack for EFP:SE:
*IMPORTANT* don't seek technical support on EFP discord regarding this repack.
3. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. A.R.E.A. - CoC based mod on hardcore realism and survival
4. Best mod for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl Autumn Aurora 2.1 - Repack
5. Best modpack for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat - Misery + Gunslinger - Repack
6. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. CoP Gunslinger 1.13 + SGM 2.2 - Repack
7. Best modpack for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Skies LFO - Repack
8. Lost Alpha DC Extended ver. 2.86 - Repack
- new updated version, includes Dead Zone, CGIM weathers, disabled savescum, very hardcore mod.
9. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Dead Air: Revolution + Patch 3

Thanks for watching and good hunting stalkers!

[lasarousi]

I remember once I engaged 3 duty, downed one since I ambushed them.

The two surviving NPCs quickly got behind some rocks, one of them started spamming their AK in semi auto, I was greedy and wanted to down the one shooting so I tried to snipe him.

I later realized, too late, the one shooting was covering his pal, as I got shot in the back by the other dude who had flanked me.

Good AI.

[fabiohenriques]

Most people dont realize how hard it is to make good enemy ai in an open environment like this

[pruneda]

It has better AI than most online fps players tbh

[AntiHamster]

Stalker is one of those rare games where I learnt avoiding a fight can be just as rewarding as winning one.

[Riggy]

that's because 15 years ago companies gave a shit about making good games

[Itheil]

Honestly, the AI in this game sometimes feels like going up against other players.

[Andre-tcsb]

when the ai is this good, no matter how well you use cover, or how well you use the terrain for elevated positions and vantage points, you never feel safe. You can be flanked at any time, naded to oblivion when you least expect it, blown up by an rpg, etc. There is always that feeling of imminent death, no matter how good your aim is or how well you understand the game's mechanics. If any of you have played tarkov before, it feels exactly like that, but in a single player game. That's how good the ai is.

[dankovac]

I love when you Piss off the wrong group and there's like 10 of them, and instead of all of them just doing a conga line towards you, they flank from both your flanks and push from the centre.
And when you run and hide somewhere, they won't know exactly where you are but the way they spread out and go towards your approximate location makes them actually really hard to avoid.

[ro]

What we can learn from this?
1.- Some sandbox games from yore had stronger NPC ai
2.- When surrounded, always retreat.

[Pizzoots]

people always talk about FEAR having the best enemy ai ever but in actuality its only as good as its level design. STALKER, however, legitimately has some of the best, if not, the best ai in any game ever. it is NOT easy to make ai as good as this in an open world game and its just amazing in general. i dont think any game has come even close to the level of teamwork and tactics the ai uses in this game. my greatest fear for stalker 2 is that A-Life 2.0 and the ai will not be as good as this because it really does add so much to the games.

[PeninsulaCity]

And then there is me as a Ukranian solider in Anomoly's warfare mode who just woke up from a nap to suddenly find the entire, fortified outpost being completely overruned by a simultanious assault by mercs and bandits which led to a tense siege of the barracks I was napping in. Barely survived and almost bled to death.

It didn't help that a Bloodsucker came by moments later and killed the medic - the only other survivor of the base. I was out of bandages but found one on a dead merc. I managed to call in a chopper from another base but the creature left to eat an Eco squad that was passing by. I thought I was lucky until the Bloodsucker doubled back.

It was a good game...

[beetheimmortal]

Here's the thing. Stalker was art made with love. New AAA games are products made for money.

[ppmguire]

When the majority of that single CPU core is being used for AI instead of graphics and we loved it.

[christianmccall]

The first time I played SoC after years of hearing about it, I was honestly blown away by how smart the AI is. I've gotten drawn down a long corridor with sideroom to kill the last 3 guys, just to get ambushed from behind as soon as I turned to check the right room instead of the left. Military base, they repositioned themselves to hit me through tiny cracks in a wall. Snorks that jumped through windows scaring the shit out of me because I didn't think their AI pathing would have them make it through the window cleanly. In general, the AI doing it's best to set up a crossfire and pin you down.

I wish I could experience that first playthrough again.

[Markomaniax]

mark here, from one of the major game development studios..
For all of you who think that good enemy AI is hard to make - you are so very wrong.
We can make AI that could play with you like cat plays with mouse, but then our producer comes along and says - can you make it more "accessible" to new (bad) players? And sure enough, all algorithms for situational awareness, world positioning, team communication and tactical engagement is being deleted.
It frustrates players, all of which are now used to fast progression. God forbids if poor sucker dies twice, he`ll throw his controller in to a tv/monitor and rage about game to everyone.

[pedrorodriguez]

Meanwhile 2021 AIs: maybe if we run in straight line towards him and shoot without hitting him, he will get scared and leave.

[sajuente]

I already feel sorry for Stalker 2. They must make masterpiece to be make sucess

[matapavosgamer]

If you are facing directly away from the AI, it will try to get close before firing, also, if you move and they don't see you, they will keep looking to the last place they spotted you

[patitofelis]

Love it because with modern games, when an enemy "takes cover" you expect them to still be there just waiting for you to kill them, but no, with stalker the enemy either sneaks behind you, hits you and kills you, or plans ahead knowing very well which side you're going to try and flank them

[Moxxieful]

15 year old game has better AI than any AAA modern game - this statement is True