S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

 PC
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
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  1. Cynamite
    70
    Great atmosphere, but the game looks outdated and has some flaws.
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    70
    Call of Pripyat is an engaging episode of a franchise that is terribly missing a satisfying dialogue system. There are few innovations comparing this game to the previous episodes but the frantic pace and the intense ambiance make this new trip to Chernobyl a safe investment of money, capable of granting tens of hours of play. But you will have to be prepared to walk into the shoes of a Stalker.
  3. Cheat Code Central
    70
    Newcomers will probably find Call of Pripyat to be a less frustrating and more stable experience, while seeing the Zone's amazing environments with fresh eyes.
  5. Edge Magazine
    70
    This is a game with ambitions that now outstrip the confines of an atrophying engine, but beneath the exterior lies a world rich in atmosphere - the credible and pervading horror of a landscape drawn with unusual finesse. [Mar 2010, p.95]
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  6. Gamereactor Sweden
    70
    An apparent lack of resources stops GSC Gameworld from creating a complete and polished action game, but the mood and eerie setting make up for that.
  7. Gamer.nl
    70
    S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat is in some way the best game in the series. The world is big and the world is more living than ever. Fans will love it, but for newcomers Call of Pripyat might be a bit too dated and inaccessible.
  8. Everyeye.it
    65
    More of the same. The overabundant reuse of models and situations does not offer anything really capable to intrigue the videogamer.
  9. Absolute Games
    54
    GSC’s third attempt at creating a post-apocalyptic world reinforced my belief that PR is the only thing this company does best.

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best PC Game of 2010
24
#24 Most Discussed PC Game of 2010
20
#20 Most Shared PC Game of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1131 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 951 out of 1131
  2. Mixed: 121 out of 1131
  3. Negative: 59 out of 1131
  1. XRAIN
    Oct 12, 2011
    10
    What could be more interesting real life place to make a video game about? Area of Tsernobyl of course! It's such a shame, that there barelyWhat could be more interesting real life place to make a video game about? Area of Tsernobyl of course! It's such a shame, that there barely even is games about it, but at least it's still more than fresh place to make a game about. Call of Pripyat is the third Stalker game in the series, which I had never played before. The story isin't really anything amazing. You are have to find out why helicopters have crashed to Tsernobyl, which is now filled with people hoping to become rich by finding rare artifacts. You don't need to have played previous games. You can roam around freely the exciting areas of the game, though you are limited to go only few places during the start of the game. The atmosphere of the game is outstanding. It looks like you're in a abandonded area filled with radiation, and feels like it. Unfortunely stalkers talk with '' Yo bro wuzz up?! '' style, which breaks the atmosphere a little. NPC don't also some times attack mutants, which are trying to attack you. The game has simulation feel too. You need to eat food or you will starve to death. You need to heal yourself from wounds, though it only needs use button and nothing else to fix the wounds. If not counting the easiest difficulty, you will die really easily, forcing you to think when you should fight or not. The graphics of the game isin't that good now days, but even my crappy computer was able to run it fine with some settings set to maximum. The gameplay is great, the sound design is almost as good, the game takes increadible amount of time to complete (33 hours, I had spent time doing some side quests too) and I found myself playing it a lot of time even after it, what I usually don't do. I recommend it from the bottom of my heart, if you don't want to play arcade shooters.… Full Review »
  2. JordanK
    Jan 10, 2010
    10
    Absolutely the best of the STALKER games. It combines the best portions of the original and the ill-fated prequel, and brings with them Absolutely the best of the STALKER games. It combines the best portions of the original and the ill-fated prequel, and brings with them almost none of the issues. While not as revolutionary as the original, it does take it a significant step forward not only in terms of story, gameplay, but also in atmosphere. The expansive levels are packed with secret caches and various nooks and crannies to explore, and the game goes to great lengths to encourage sandbox game-play. While not without it's flaws - actual gunfights are few and far between, and the ending is, while better paced then Clear Sky's finale, a gigantic, unexpected ramp up in terms of difficulty, but if anything it's a fitting end for the first sequel to ShoC - and the multiple endings will give the game plenty of replayability compared to ShoC and CS, if the following free-play mode doesn't that is!… Full Review »
  3. Ramus
    May 1, 2011
    6
    A sandbox FPS is an ambitious undertaking, one that games like Far Cry 2, although graphically awsome, never quite managed. So here's a gameA sandbox FPS is an ambitious undertaking, one that games like Far Cry 2, although graphically awsome, never quite managed. So here's a game that can tryuly be called free roaming. STALKER has all the elements of an RPG rolled into an FPS, inventory, trade, repairing items and so on. It also has another element very rarely found in games - atmosphere. Wierd mutant creatures hiss and growl before leaping at your face.
    So on paper it all sounds very good. Yet STALKER is let down by outdated code and outdated graphics. Both of which really should not be an issue whether a game is great or not. But having a jerky screen update in an FPS which requires you to be extremely accurate with your aiming is gaming suicide. Seeing 6 of the exact same character model standing around makes you feel you have entered a cloning facility. The textures look like they were made 10 years ago. I also find it odd that when the NPCs are away from you they speak in Russian yet when you interact with them they speak in English?? Either one or the other please. The missions are hardly ever clear and, indeed, part of the game seems to be figuring out what it is you are supposed to be doing. For many people, there just isn't that many hours in a day to spend wandering around aimlessly.
    Some good ideas are in STALKER but unfortunately the game is let down by the execution.    … Full Review »
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