I don't understand the stealth complaints. It's straightforward and almost never required, although I will admit it's very beneficial for story outcomes and playing on ranger hardcore. I don't know if a Ubisoft style stealth meter would appease the complaints, but then that would increase the far cry comparisons regarding the Caspian area, which I REALLY don't understand... is it because you drive a car? At most I was reminded of Far Cry 2, which is a decent game, but I don't get some of the hate here, especially if you're a stalker fan. Improves on the previous two in every way.
on that note, don't play ranger hardcore... especially on your first playthrough. The lack of quick saving, especially with how inconsistent the auto save is between side missions was pretty frustrating. 60% of the time was fine, but that 40% had me wishing I played on hardcore. also, not getting Damir to stay because I shot a slave outside the lighthouse since it was night and I couldn't tell was almost as annoying as not getting the good ending in Last Light because I killed a Nazi (who surrendered, but I didn't even know you could knock them out lel)
This game has genuinely some of my favorite dialogue and character writing (there's so much heart to *everything* here) and my hottest take is that the english voice acting is lovely. I cannot get enough of Miller's voice, he's so good D:
Also The Dead City is a fucking phenomenal closer level - just hearing Race Against Fate, Lacrimosa, or any of the other songs from the ending makes me emotional every time ;-;
genuinely perfect atmosphere. gameplay has some issues, which can mostly be ignored because the gunplay has the perfect balance of frantic + weighty. shame there's only like: 2 big areas in the game, the freedom in this is it's real strength.
Also The Dead City is a fucking phenomenal closer level - just hearing Race Against Fate, Lacrimosa, or any of the other songs from the ending makes me emotional every time ;-;