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Difference between revisions of "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m (→‎Low FPS troubleshooting: General maintenance with AutoWikiBrowser in Bot mode)
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|April 26, 2014}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|April 26, 2014}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | Freeware}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | First-person }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Action, Shooter }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Realistic }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Eastern Europe, Post-apocalyptic }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | S.T.A.L.K.E.R. }}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|gogcom id    =  
 
|gogcom id    =  
 +
|lutris      = stalker-lost-alpha-developers-cut
 
|strategywiki =  
 
|strategywiki =  
−
|mobygames    = stalker-lost-alpha
+
|mobygames    = 71285
 
|wikipedia    =  
 
|wikipedia    =  
 
|winehq      = 16146
 
|winehq      = 16146
 
|license      = Freeware
 
|license      = Freeware
 +
|official site= http://www.dezowave.com/
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|S.T.A.L.K.E.R.}}
 
  
 
'''Key points'''
 
'''Key points'''
Line 24: Line 38:
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{mm}} [http://www.dezowave.com/ Official site]
+
{{mm}} [https://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha/ Mod DB page]
−
{{mm}} [http://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha/ Mod DB page]
 
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability/row| official | http://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha/ | DRM-free | Free download. | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| official | https://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha/ | DRM-free | Free download. | | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 35: Line 48:
  
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
−
{{ii}} Standalone install and new game start needed!
+
{{ii}} Standalone install and new game start needed.
−
 
+
{{mm}} The latest official patch v1.4007 titled ''Director's Cut'' is available [https://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha/downloads/stalker-lost-alpha-v14007-dc-torrent at Moddb.com.]
−
The latest official patch v1.4007, titled "Director`s Cut", is available at Moddb.com. Link: [https://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha/downloads/stalker-lost-alpha-v14007-dc-torrent S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Lost Alpha v1.4007 DC Torrent!]
 
  
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
Line 53: Line 65:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
 
{{Image|Lost Alpha video settings.png|Video settings.}}
 
{{Image|Lost Alpha video settings.png|Video settings.}}
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
Line 79: Line 91:
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing notes        = [[MSAA]]. Available only for DX10 and DX11 renderers. Broken in 1.3000.
 
|antialiasing notes        = [[MSAA]]. Available only for DX10 and DX11 renderers. Broken in 1.3000.
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync                      = true
−
|vsync notes                = Recommended to force through your GPU control panel
+
|vsync notes                = It is recommended to force Vsync through the GPU control panel.{{cn|date=2022-07-05|reason=Why isn't the built-in Vsync sufficient?}}
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
Line 91: Line 106:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
−
|key remap                = true
+
|key remap                = limited
 
|key remap notes          = Binding anything to {{key|F5}} or to any key already being used will crash the game on load.
 
|key remap notes          = Binding anything to {{key|F5}} or to any key already being used will crash the game on load.
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option      = false
Line 133: Line 148:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    =  
 
|separate volume notes    =  
Line 141: Line 156:
 
|subtitles                = false
 
|subtitles                = false
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|subtitles notes          =  
−
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|mute on focus lost      = always on
 
|mute on focus lost      = always on
−
|mute on focus lost notes = No option to disable it.
+
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              = true
 
|eax support              = true
−
|eax support notes        =  
+
|eax support notes         =
 +
|royalty free audio       = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 156: Line 173:
 
  |subtitles = true
 
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    = Fan translation, [https://stalker-forever.1fr1.net/t850-lost-alpha-dc-1-4007-release download].
 +
|ref      =
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 168: Line 194:
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Polish
 
  |language  = Polish
−
  |interface = true
+
  |interface = hackable
 
  |audio    = false
 
  |audio    = false
−
  |subtitles = true
+
  |subtitles = hackable
−
  |notes    = Fan translation. Can be downloaded [https://stalkerteam.pl/topic/11959-polonizacja-lost-alpha-dc-14007-dodatki-otwarta-wersja-testowa here].
+
  |notes    = Fan translation, [https://stalkerteam.pl/topic/11959-lost-alpha-developers-cut/ download].
 
  |ref      =  
 
  |ref      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Brazilian Portuguese
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation, [https://tribogamer.com/downloads/1340_baixar-traducao-do-stalker-lost-alpha-para-portugues-do-brasil-s-t-a-l-k-e-r-lost-alpha.html download].
 +
|fan      = true
 +
|ref      =
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 212: Line 247:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Game settings tips for preserving the best graphics and performance|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Game settings tips for preserving the best graphics and performance|fix=
 
Max out and turn on all settings, and to improve FPS, set sliders and options as following [https://yadi.sk/d/sWHYgjVrE5pg1Q (ready config)]:
 
Max out and turn on all settings, and to improve FPS, set sliders and options as following [https://yadi.sk/d/sWHYgjVrE5pg1Q (ready config)]:
−
* Vision distance to 5/11 (0 or 2 - with disappearing objects)  
+
* Vision distance to 5/11 (0 or 2 causes frequent disappearing of some objects)  
−
* Objects detail to 3 (0 - low texture quality far ahead [e.g. on hills in Cordon - avoidable by setting 2-3 points above 0] or 3/4+)
+
* Objects detail to 3 or 4+ (0 - low texture quality in distant [e.g. on hills in Cordon - avoidable by setting 2-3 points above 0])
 
* Grass density to 0 (or 3/4, 1/4, depends on a taste)
 
* Grass density to 0 (or 3/4, 1/4, depends on a taste)
  
Line 222: Line 257:
 
* HBAO for Nvidia cards (the last option)
 
* HBAO for Nvidia cards (the last option)
  
−
Disable for 1 FPS gain (from 23 FPS):
+
Disable for 1 FPS gain on each (from 23 FPS):
−
* Ambient occlusion at all
+
* Ambient Occlusion (entirely)
 
* FXAA
 
* FXAA
 
* Soft Particles
 
* Soft Particles
−
* Anisotropic filtering
+
* Anisotropic Filtering
 
* MSAA from x2 to 0
 
* MSAA from x2 to 0
  
 
Others:
 
Others:
 
* Keep Sun shadows always on (massive change of lighting)
 
* Keep Sun shadows always on (massive change of lighting)
−
* V-Sync off (reportedly reported frame lock working sometimes below native monitor frequency - depending on FPS dips)
+
* V-Sync off (reportedly reported frame lock working sometimes below native monitor frequency - depending on FPS dips; alternatively force V-Sync in your GPU panel)
 
* Keep textures in RAM off
 
* Keep textures in RAM off
−
* Object prefetching on - disabled cause stuttering, delete -noprefetch from your shortcut properties.
+
* Object prefetching on (disabled cause stuttering, delete -noprefetch from your shortcut properties).
 
{{ii}} Settings tested on Q9650/HD7870.
 
{{ii}} Settings tested on Q9650/HD7870.
 
* Some settings may require the game restart, even if you're not asked to do so (e.g. grass density, texture quality, MSAA).
 
* Some settings may require the game restart, even if you're not asked to do so (e.g. grass density, texture quality, MSAA).
−
* Restart the game (instead of just clicking quit the game and load last save) in case of performance decrease after changing details lot of times.
+
* Restart the game (instead of just clicking quit the game and load last save) in case of performance decrease after changing details a lot of times.
 
* If your game settings stopped to be saved after the game restart, change the settings and save them before loading the game.
 
* If your game settings stopped to be saved after the game restart, change the settings and save them before loading the game.
 
* Run the game only from a desktop shortcut to avoid crash on launch.
 
* Run the game only from a desktop shortcut to avoid crash on launch.
−
* Alt+Tab cause engine error. Temporarily disable full screen to avoid it, and enable it again afterwards.
+
* {{key|Alt|Tab}} cause engine error (at least with Reshade). As a workaround, disable full screen, and enable it again after task switching.
−
* Game utilizes the computing power of more than two cores only during loading (at least distributes load rather linearly).
+
* Game utilizes the computing power of more than two cores mostly only during loading (at least distributes load rather linearly only at this moment).
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use compatibility mode of Windows Vista SP2 or XP SP3|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use compatibility mode of Windows Vista SP2 or XP SP3|fix=
 
Double FPS boost in certain, rather more rare areas with ~>99% GPU usage, and is visible after >1 minute after loading save (e.g. Monolith base. [https://yadi.sk/d/Z7NByibCT9WCpA  Before and after saves] - also settings testing place)
 
Double FPS boost in certain, rather more rare areas with ~>99% GPU usage, and is visible after >1 minute after loading save (e.g. Monolith base. [https://yadi.sk/d/Z7NByibCT9WCpA  Before and after saves] - also settings testing place)
−
{{--}} Cause very slow level loading times, saves, the main menu, or rarely hang after pressing ESC.
+
{{--}} Causes very slow level loading times, saves, the main menu, or causes rare hang after pressing ESC.
 
* You can preserve FPS gain achieved in compatibility mode by saving the game and loading it in the game launched normally.
 
* You can preserve FPS gain achieved in compatibility mode by saving the game and loading it in the game launched normally.
 
* FPS drops again after triggering progress during quests (e.g. after quest text appearing, spawning new enemies - usually when the game stops for a few seconds, or stutters).
 
* FPS drops again after triggering progress during quests (e.g. after quest text appearing, spawning new enemies - usually when the game stops for a few seconds, or stutters).
Line 325: Line 360:
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
−
|macos 32-bit app       =  
+
|macos intel 32-bit app =  
−
|macos 64-bit app       =  
+
|macos intel 64-bit app =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 
|linux 32-bit executable=  
Line 334: Line 370:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Modifications==
+
===Modifications===
 +
 
 +
====[https://stalkerteam.pl/topic/11034-reshade-i-lost-alpha-dc/ Reshade by YoYo]====
 +
{{ii}} Preset contains bigger color saturation, contrast, more lightning effects, slight DOF on horizon elements and a vignette in the game.
 +
{{ii}} Download it [https://stalkerteam.pl/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=21877 here], version with effects included [https://stalkerteam.pl/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=21878 here].
 +
====[https://sfx.thelazy.net/games/preset/7040/ Maddo CoC Reshade]====
 +
{{ii}} Intended to improve image quality without making drastical changes.
 +
{{ii}} Download it [https://www.moddb.com/mods/call-of-chernobyl/addons/maddos-reshade-preset here] or [https://www.nexusmods.com/stalkercallofchernobyl/mods/15/ here]
 +
====[https://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha-enb-sweetfx-mod ENB + SweetFX Mod]====
 +
{{ii}} Tries to make the game look realistic by adding SSAO, SSIL, Bloom, SMAA, sharpening and color corrections.
  
−
===[https://stalkerteam.pl/topic/11034-reshade-i-lost-alpha-dc/ Reshade by YoYo] [https://stalkerteam.pl/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=21877 Download]===
+
{{mm}}[https://sfx.thelazy.net/games/game/560/ Other presets]
−
===[https://sfx.thelazy.net/games/preset/7040/ Maddo CoC Reshade]===
 
−
===[https://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha-enb-sweetfx-mod ENB + SweetFX Mod]===
 
−
===[https://sfx.thelazy.net/games/game/560/ Other presets]===
 
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
Line 356: Line 398:
 
|recCPU2  = AMD equivalent 3.5 GHz
 
|recCPU2  = AMD equivalent 3.5 GHz
 
|recRAM  = 8 GB
 
|recRAM  = 8 GB
−
|recHD    = 20 GB
+
|recHD    =  
 
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce GT700 series
 
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce GT700 series
 
|recGPU2  = ATI/AMD Radeon HD7000 series
 
|recGPU2  = ATI/AMD Radeon HD7000 series

Latest revision as of 11:37, 13 May 2023

Dev general icon.svg
This product is unreleased but remains under active development - information may change frequently and could be outdated or irrelevant.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha cover
Developers
Dezowave
Engines
X-Ray Engine
Release dates
Windows April 26, 2014
Taxonomy
Monetization Freeware
Microtransactions None
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, Shooter
Art styles Realistic
Themes Eastern Europe, Post-apocalyptic
Series S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha on MobyGames
Icon overlay.png
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl 2007
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky 2008
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat 2009
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha (Unofficial) 2014
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl 2023

Key points

Fan game that tries to recreate the original design and atmosphere of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl as seen early in development.
Does not require any of the official S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games installed.

General information

Mod DB page

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Official website
DRM-free
 Free download.
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

Standalone install and new game start needed.
The latest official patch v1.4007 titled Director's Cut is available at Moddb.com.

Skip intro videos

Start game with -nointro parameter[citation needed]

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\appdata\user.ltx[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\appdata\savedgames[Note 1]

Video

Video settings.
Video settings.

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Open console and type fov xx (replace xx with the FOV you want).
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Disable fullscreen and set the game's resolution to the same value you use for your screen.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
MSAA. Available only for DX10 and DX11 renderers. Broken in 1.3000.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
It is recommended to force Vsync through the GPU control panel.[citation needed]
60 FPS and 120+ FPS

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Binding anything to F5 or to any key already being used will crash the game on load.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
1.3002 onwards only supports non-OpenAL software driver (described in menu as DirectSound), though OpenAL32.dll is still being used, and can be replaced with Win32 OpenAL Soft library, to enhance positioning (Rapture3D 2.7.4 no longer works like in SoC, returning error). Copied dsound.dll to the game directory has priority over OpenAL library, so don't forget to delete dsound.dll if you wan't to use OpenAL (1.4005).
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
Fan translation, download.
Italian
Polish
Fan translation, download.
Brazilian Portuguese
Fan translation, download.
Russian

Issues fixed

Unable to save, load or make screenshots

Install in non-default location[citation needed]

Install the game outside Program Files.

Run as Administrator[citation needed]
  1. Right click your game shortcut.
  2. Select "Run as Administrator".

Missing footstep sounds

This bug can also cause game crashes.
Disable first person body awareness[citation needed]
  1. While in-game, open console with ~ button.
  2. Enter g_actor_body off command.

Various problems on 32bit systems

Delete files[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\bins\
  2. Delete or rename msvcp120.dll, msvcp120d.dll and msvcr120.dll.

Low FPS troubleshooting

Game settings tips for preserving the best graphics and performance

Max out and turn on all settings, and to improve FPS, set sliders and options as following (ready config):

  • Vision distance to 5/11 (0 or 2 causes frequent disappearing of some objects)
  • Objects detail to 3 or 4+ (0 - low texture quality in distant [e.g. on hills in Cordon - avoidable by setting 2-3 points above 0])
  • Grass density to 0 (or 3/4, 1/4, depends on a taste)

In the second place:

  • Grass shadows off (minor visual impact with some performance impact, though depends on API and taste)
  • Sun rays off (like above)
  • HDAO is claimed to be optimized for AMD
  • HBAO for Nvidia cards (the last option)

Disable for 1 FPS gain on each (from 23 FPS):

  • Ambient Occlusion (entirely)
  • FXAA
  • Soft Particles
  • Anisotropic Filtering
  • MSAA from x2 to 0

Others:

  • Keep Sun shadows always on (massive change of lighting)
  • V-Sync off (reportedly reported frame lock working sometimes below native monitor frequency - depending on FPS dips; alternatively force V-Sync in your GPU panel)
  • Keep textures in RAM off
  • Object prefetching on (disabled cause stuttering, delete -noprefetch from your shortcut properties).
Settings tested on Q9650/HD7870.
  • Some settings may require the game restart, even if you're not asked to do so (e.g. grass density, texture quality, MSAA).
  • Restart the game (instead of just clicking quit the game and load last save) in case of performance decrease after changing details a lot of times.
  • If your game settings stopped to be saved after the game restart, change the settings and save them before loading the game.
  • Run the game only from a desktop shortcut to avoid crash on launch.
  • Alt+Tab ↹ cause engine error (at least with Reshade). As a workaround, disable full screen, and enable it again after task switching.
  • Game utilizes the computing power of more than two cores mostly only during loading (at least distributes load rather linearly only at this moment).
Use compatibility mode of Windows Vista SP2 or XP SP3

Double FPS boost in certain, rather more rare areas with ~>99% GPU usage, and is visible after >1 minute after loading save (e.g. Monolith base. Before and after saves - also settings testing place)

Causes very slow level loading times, saves, the main menu, or causes rare hang after pressing ESC.
  • You can preserve FPS gain achieved in compatibility mode by saving the game and loading it in the game launched normally.
  • FPS drops again after triggering progress during quests (e.g. after quest text appearing, spawning new enemies - usually when the game stops for a few seconds, or stutters).
  • Turn on shader cache in GPU driver panel to increase save and level loading times (SSD recommended).
  • Compatibility mode in some cases increases VRAM usage by ~300 MB.

"Can't open video stream" crash

Install Xvid[citation needed]

Install Xvid.

VR support

3D modes State Notes
vorpX
G3D
Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list.

Other information

API

Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Modifications

Reshade by YoYo

Preset contains bigger color saturation, contrast, more lightning effects, slight DOF on horizon elements and a vignette in the game.
Download it here, version with effects included here.

Maddo CoC Reshade

Intended to improve image quality without making drastical changes.
Download it here or here

ENB + SweetFX Mod

Tries to make the game look realistic by adding SSAO, SSIL, Bloom, SMAA, sharpening and color corrections.
Other presets

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP 7, 8. 10
Processor (CPU) 2 GHz Intel Core i5, i7 3.5 GHz
AMD equivalent 3.5 GHz
System memory (RAM) 2 GB 8 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 20 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT
ATI/AMD Radeon HD3000 series 		Nvidia GeForce GT700 series
ATI/AMD Radeon HD7000 series


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References