Junior Adventurer's Guild - March: ATOM RPG

[Tweed]

I suppose I oughta play this. I tried before and got sidetracked for some reason. I've had it sitting around.

[Tangerine]

Completed on Expert.

► Show Spoiler

Proof.

Atom_03.jpg

Atom_04.jpg

Atom_05.jpg

Down with Unreal. Unity supremacy!

Atom_06.jpg

My guy.

Atom_02.jpg

Atom_01.jpg

Thoughts:
I'd played this before on the default difficulty as a charisma sniper, so this time I played an uncharismatic punching guy. Shocker, I'm sure. I was pleasantly surprised to find I could still avoid conflicts by aggressively flexing at people; most games only let you use charm/speech craft to talk your way out of problems. There were only a couple of places where I felt I made the wrong choice by focusing on martial arts, but managed to get through by doing something else and coming back when I was stronger. The only exception is the Mycelium bunker - you're outnumbered and outgunned, so there's no way you can go toe to toe without cheesing it. I tried hopping up Tangerine on painkillers, but that only gave me an extra turn before 4 dudes with machine guns cut him down. I ended up getting a bunch of timed explosives, setting the timer for a couple of minutes, triggering the conversation, and then having them chase me down the hall and watching them fly through the air as five bombs went off under them. This, unfortunately, also killed my entire team. Tangerine was on his own when he met Mozorov and, when given the option to walk away, did so.

Atom RPG was enjoyable, but it's got some pretty significant balancing issues when it comes to the utility of stats--Dex is essential, while Luck is mostly garbage--and weapons--if you're not playing a gimmick character, there's no reason not to use sniper rifles or machine guns. The crafting system left a lot to be desired. Also, I know it's a post-apocalyptic game set in the ruins of the USSR, but it'd have been nice if there was a little more color in the environments.

Tips:
- Don't use melee or martial arts. It's a stupid gimmick and you'll probably regret it.
- Don't be afraid to abuse drugs and supplements. A lot of them stack.
- Do spec your companions to focus on rifles and machine guns - ignore whatever their highest skill is on recruitment.
- The skill tree looks like it gives you lots of options. It does not, because you beeline it to the Praetorian skill to reduce heavy armor penalties. Wasn't a fan of this system either.

[Oyster Sauce]

@rusty_shackleford

[rusty_shackleford]

Completed.

► Show Spoiler

I beat the penultimate final fight by setting up explosives beforehand and luring them into it, btw.

Tip for character creation:
LUCK should either be maxed or left at 1 and used as a dump stat, don't go inbetween.

[Tadeusz]

► Show Spoiler

Timed explosives are cool, saved me in a certain fight in Peregon where you are trapped in a basement. I just set it up before the dialogue and it knocked most of them after it.

Another tip: some skills are not worth maxing and can be left at a relatively low value. I can advice leaving technology at 60 (can be improved up to 80 with instruments and it will be enough for most checks) and lockpicking at 70 (can be upped to 90 or 100 with certain items).

[DagothGeas5]

► Show Spoiler

Timed explosives are cool, saved me in a certain fight in Peregon where you are trapped in a basement. I just set it up before the dialogue and it knocked most of them after it.

Another tip: some skills are not worth maxing and can be left at a relatively low value. I can advice leaving technology at 60 (can be improved up to 80 with instruments and it will be enough for most checks) and lockpicking at 70 (can be upped to 90 or 100 with certain items).

What is the max for a skill? I have two at 100 , and do not raise them higher, but I noticed I could raise them higher if I wanted to.

Also, as we are talking about stats, the Characteristics (Intelligence, Strength, etc) also affect dialogue, which is something I really love this game does (my character has 5, effectively 3 due to Cannibalism perk, Personality and there are NPCs I can't even ask a simple question to XD )

[rusty_shackleford]

There are also a lot of hidden checks during dialogue

[DagothGeas5]

There are also a lot of hidden checks during dialogue

One I notice being used the most, at least for my character, is Attention. I really like this feature as it makes dialogues feel like they are really happening and are not just lines of text (the characters move around while talking, look about, have people around them, etc) and the return dialogues are also customized, there is just so much to love with this game

[Tadeusz]

What is the max for a skill?

199.
Another tip for someone who plans to continue in Trudograd with the same character: exhaust all options to raise stats and skills before the endgame. Also, there is a possibility to enable special locations in the game options via events. I recommend operation February, it unlocks new big location in the Dead City with a possibility of a stat increase.

[DagothGeas5]

What is the max for a skill?

199.
Another tip for someone who plans to continue in Trudograd with the same character: exhaust all options to raise stats and skills before the endgame. Also, there is a possibility to enable special locations in the game options via events. I recommend operation February, it unlocks new big location in the Dead City with a possibility of a stat increase.

One more thing if I may, I noticed there being an option for a "Kickstarter code", what does that do exactly? Should it be used?

[Tadeusz]

One more thing if I may, I noticed there being an option for a "Kickstarter code", what does that do exactly? Should it be used?

I don't know exactly but in Trudograd they gave a small bonus on the game start for supporters (some useful items). I guess it is something like that in the original game.
P.S. Can i still get a badge if I completed the game in the last month?

[DagothGeas5]

One more thing if I may, I noticed there being an option for a "Kickstarter code", what does that do exactly? Should it be used?

I don't know exactly but in Trudograd they gave a small bonus on the game start for supporters (some useful items). I guess it is something like that in the original game.
P.S. Can i still get a badge if I completed the game in the last month?

Seeing as it has not yet been answered, from what I recall seeing when others asked similar questions, you just need to provide proof you completed the game, but am not sure of the details. I myself just play the game wether I played it already or not as the Adventurer's Guild post I saw that, I believe, spoke of the details on how does it work, said to use this also as an oportunity to not only play with others, but to try a different playstyle and things of that similar nature for games that have already been beaten

[Rand]

One more thing if I may, I noticed there being an option for a "Kickstarter code", what does that do exactly? Should it be used?

It gives you a few new outfit options, each with a special head slot item, at character generation.



All also get this knife:


They can be found in your tent as you begin the game.

[DagothGeas5]

One more thing if I may, I noticed there being an option for a "Kickstarter code", what does that do exactly? Should it be used?

It gives you a few new outfit options, each with a special head slot item, at character generation.



All also get this knife:


They can be found in your tent as you begin the game.

I have not seen one gas mask that is anything like STALKER , yet there are many instances of gas mask wearing dudes. I am starting to feel like it was intentional now, as I have only seen generic things to wear and nothing that has that sort of "steampunk" feel to it. Feels like paywalling in a way
Thank you for sharing this information though! As I don't suppose it is something that can be acquire after starting the game as you mention character creation, I'll make a new character to try these items out my next playthrough and see if codes online work or something. Still puts a damper on my enjoyment a bit though, but the lack of masks makes a lot of sense to me now Maybe it's doomposting, but it is my experience that some, especially indie, creators limit their creativity to give the "good stuff" to those thay do some special payment or service for them

[Rand]

One more thing if I may, I noticed there being an option for a "Kickstarter code", what does that do exactly? Should it be used?

It gives you a few new outfit options, each with a special head slot item, at character generation.



All also get this knife:


They can be found in your tent as you begin the game.

I have not seen one gas mask that is anything like STALKER , yet there are many instances of gas mask wearing dudes. I am starting to feel like it was intentional now, as I have only seen generic things to wear and nothing that has that sort of "steampunk" feel to it. Feels like paywalling in a way
Thank you for sharing this information though! As I don't suppose it is something that can be acquire after starting the game as you mention character creation, I'll make a new character to try these items out my next playthrough and see if codes online work or something. Still puts a damper on my enjoyment a bit though, but the lack of masks makes a lot of sense to me now Maybe it's doomposting, but it is my experience that some, especially indie, creators limit their creativity to give the "good stuff" to those they do some special payment or service for them

1: The codes work, and there are tons of them
2: Gasmasks are in the game at various qualities. This just gives you a perfect one (without penalties) to start if you choose that base appearance.
3: You can use the console to spawn these items, but you cannot change your clothing. The clothes are the default when you have nothing else equipped.

► Show Spoiler

[DagothGeas5]

It gives you a few new outfit options, each with a special head slot item, at character generation.



All also get this knife:


They can be found in your tent as you begin the game.

I have not seen one gas mask that is anything like STALKER , yet there are many instances of gas mask wearing dudes. I am starting to feel like it was intentional now, as I have only seen generic things to wear and nothing that has that sort of "steampunk" feel to it. Feels like paywalling in a way
Thank you for sharing this information though! As I don't suppose it is something that can be acquire after starting the game as you mention character creation, I'll make a new character to try these items out my next playthrough and see if codes online work or something. Still puts a damper on my enjoyment a bit though, but the lack of masks makes a lot of sense to me now Maybe it's doomposting, but it is my experience that some, especially indie, creators limit their creativity to give the "good stuff" to those they do some special payment or service for them

1: The codes work, and there are tons of them
2: Gasmasks are in the game at various qualities. This just gives you a perfect one (without penalties) to start if you choose that base appearance.
3: You can use the console to spawn these items, but you cannot change your clothing. The clothes are the default when you have nothing else equipped.

► Show Spoiler

Then are there more types of gas mask in the game? I only saw "normal" one and a "do it yourself" respirator.

[Tadeusz]

Then are there more types of gas mask in the game?

Better equipment will be available as you level up, traders will also expand their stock. There are some advanced items in the Dead City but that's a high level area.

[rusty_shackleford]

I recall the good gas masks being a PITA to find, very low chance to stock on traders or somesuch

[DagothGeas5]

I recall the good gas masks being a PITA to find, very low chance to stock on traders or somesuch

I am not sure I might even need a gas mask in the end, I just like how they look
Especially now that poison heals me. I got down to 1 health in a rat dungeon I am exploring, and back to full the next round, not even my round XD

[Tangerine]

I never bothered with gas masks. Toxins only affect the main character and I had enough antidotes to power through most situations. Only the bunker in the Mountain of Woes had toxins strong enough to kill me quickly.

[rusty_shackleford]

I think it might have been an issue in some of the dead city areas

[Rand]

Toxins only affect the main character

What?

[Tadeusz]

Toxins only affect the main character

What?

Companions don't have toxin or radiation meters so you don't have to manage them.

[Rand]

Toxins only affect the main character

What?

Companions don't have toxin or radiation meters so you don't have to manage them.

Huh. I didn't notice. I could have sworn they took damage from toxins and radiation.
Maybe they just don't have residual effects?

[Valter]

I've been meaning to say for a while now, but PCGamingWiki is so **** useful. ****** up, I say.

[Valter]

I always appreciate a little personal hook at the beginning to help keep the player invested.

► Show Spoiler

Getting robbed at the beginning and wanting their heads on a spike is kinda textbook, but hey it works.

Several games forgo such a simple but effective technique.

[Tadeusz]

► Show Spoiler

I didn't think much about that scene so I thought I'd never see them again. It was a surprise to me that this hook has a resolution though it was quite random and late in the game for me.

[rusty_shackleford]

Basically everything, with one exception if you do the events incorrectly(I reported it at the time, no idea if it's fixed), has a conclusion somewhere eventually.
ATOM is very good, underrated.

[Tadeusz]

Well, pinecones have no conclusion It would be fun to plant them but maybe it can be fixed with mods.

[Tangerine]

I assumed them having no conclusion was the point, since it's pretty heavy-handed "crypto bad" messaging.