I like the fact that I can take many different approaches to the game. I think the wide variety of possible approaches built into the game will certainly make it too easy for some character builds. For example a person who takes a heavy weapons or energy weapons approach will probably find it too easy. Companions also tend to make it too easy. For my part I find that playing on Hard with hardcoe on is a good setting, and I have no desire to jack up the difficulty slider to Very Hard. I have to be careful with more than one super mutant and I stay the hell away from deathclaws. I can take out groups of geckos or ghouls from afar but if I blow my cover (as a sniper character) it gets a little hairy. I don't wear heavy armor or take toughness as a perk so any reasonably strong enemy can kill me quickly if I'm not careful.

More on original topic than on lasers, I play on the difficulty level called Arwen's these days.

I'm still a huge fan of energy weapons and power armor...well, T-51b. Maybe APA (Remnants Power Armor, for those who don't know it's real name). I won't put on a suit of T-45d, though. No way. I'll wear a pre-war bonnet first. Literally. I hate T-45d, and have no use for it except for as jury-rigging parts for better armor.

I like fallout and have stopped playing hardcoe because it is more silly that realistic. Not being able to heal while asleep, and never being able to refill a water bottle are my two biggest complaints.

As for damage. I add a 0 to the damage of all weapons so that they are 10 times as powerful. It means I die a lot more, but it also makes the game feel a lot more realistic to me at least. I single rifle bullet will kill most things from sneak, and even the biggest critters will go down to 3/4 hits. Of course getting into a fight with 4 or 5 fiends means lots of hiding and sneaking, but I prefer that to just standing there while people shoot you 20 times as you gun them all down.

Other that is it a typical Beth game, with lots of travel exploring and quests, but with no part being particularly hard. If you want a hard game play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. on hell difficulty

fast thing on the topic that i want to point out :

balance is tied to our reality vs game reality

with high survival u can drink from anywhere and reduce u're dehydratation ( but yes , the empty bottle argument is still an argument )

OFF TOPIC

lasers , i'm not a physics specialist or whatever laser specialist but i do asume if laser wepons would be a combat weapon there would be laser reflectors that deflect or refract laser beams , or even make the laser beam visibile revealing it's location and leaving the soldier vulnerable to mortar fire if hiding after obstacles

OFF - OFF Topic

don't worry after the age of 14 u're testosterone will drop - this is meant for someone who the best part is that he won't figure it ;s meant for him =))