S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

 PC
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1886 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,528 out of 1886
  2. Mixed: 208 out of 1886
  3. Negative: 150 out of 1886
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  1. Rufousjet
    Dec 2, 2012
    9
    Probably one of my favourite games, this delivers on so many levels. First you have the intriguing and mysterious story that sits comfortably inside the remains of history so if a bit of research is completed than it can seem frighteningly realistic. The atmosphere of the game is amazing, some of if not the best I've encountered sitting up there with metro 2033 and Dark souls. TheProbably one of my favourite games, this delivers on so many levels. First you have the intriguing and mysterious story that sits comfortably inside the remains of history so if a bit of research is completed than it can seem frighteningly realistic. The atmosphere of the game is amazing, some of if not the best I've encountered sitting up there with metro 2033 and Dark souls. The environments, chillingly eerie and oppressive cast a constant sense of danger and paranoia. The equipment and weapons have a realistic touch and the animations are consistently acceptable. The gun play itself is very fun with all the weapons feeling useful as ammo will need to be looted or found unless you want to pay for it. The length was impressive as well with my normal level playthrough clocking in at 15 hours, with me glossing over a lot of the extras.My only gripes would be the bugs which are able to be overlooked if weight of the positives, the way everything is explained isnt really there... at all and the need to look at a wiki to get the fullest experience can be required for some. Throw in fantastic mods and patches to eliminate bugs, enhance the graphics and a $20 usd pricetag on steam its worth it. Get out of here stalker! (and buy yourself this today!)… Expand
  2. GamerFromHell
    Dec 14, 2012
    9
    First of all, this game needs mods to be playable (I suggest "Stalker Complete" and "Realistic Weapons" for starters, but there are others), but then it's one of the best games I've ever played. It has a relatively open world with characters and graphics/weather effects that perfectly support the incredible atmosphere. STALKER, get out of here and play this game!
  3. wolfie2013
    Mar 17, 2013
    9
    S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is my favourite post Apocalyptic game because this game have really good climate
  4. Rockodss
    Apr 16, 2013
    9
    Great great great game! Absolutly loved it! It is different to others games (FPS). Don't start the game like you are gonna play a campaign of call of duty or you are gonna be upset to the most. Scary as hell at some place Lab x-16&x-17 made me change pants.

    The game itself was very poorly optimised. Probably 1 of their 1st game. There is many guides to tweek the game and some    Great great great game! Absolutly loved it! It is different to others games (FPS). Don't start the game like you are gonna play a campaign of call of duty or you are gonna be upset to the most. Scary as hell at some place Lab x-16&x-17 made me change pants.

    The game itself was very poorly optimised. Probably 1 of their 1st game. There is many guides to tweek the game and some patchs/mods that help the loading time, graphics, errors.

    A most for everyone calling themselves a gamer.    … Expand
  5. iddqd4
    Mar 16, 2018
    9
    Настоящий культ среди русскоговорящих, близкая на всем по духу атмосфера, очень бы хотелось увидеть серию на консолях, но не судьба к сожалению.
  6. Plefsko
    Dec 6, 2013
    9
    Very impressive and immersive FPS! Have not good graphics, but gameplay is awesome! I have finish it 10 times and all times was like different game! Buy it!
  7. AstiX
    Feb 12, 2018
    9
    S.T.A.L.K.E.R. has one of the best open-world settings I've ever had the pleasure of exploring - the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. I love almost everything about this game. The haunting atmosphere of the zone, the ruthlessness of the life as a stalker, trying to survive by grabbing any crappy items you can find. Even the game's unpolished look and bugs somehow add to its charm and atmosphere.S.T.A.L.K.E.R. has one of the best open-world settings I've ever had the pleasure of exploring - the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. I love almost everything about this game. The haunting atmosphere of the zone, the ruthlessness of the life as a stalker, trying to survive by grabbing any crappy items you can find. Even the game's unpolished look and bugs somehow add to its charm and atmosphere. Like that guy that keeps repeating "I said come in, don't stand there!" endlessly when you're entering the Bar, even when you're already inside. Ahh, good times!

    It still looks amazing playing it 10 years later, though to be fair, I did enjoy the game a lot more using fan-made mods that greatly improve the experience.

    Though I usually rush open-world games, I find S.T.A.L.K.E.R. so immersive and relaxing (in a weird way yes) that I take my time to explore every corner of The Zone. Each square foot of the map feels like it's hiding some haunting mystery. The pacing is great and the sense of having to survive is very well executed as you have to struggle to keep finding better weapons and armor all the time to deal with harder challenges.

    What I didn't like is that toward the end you suddenly go from open-world exploration to a 2 hour FPS action chapter, where you fight endless waves and waves of soldiers until you reach the end. Luckily the story is intriguing enough that you want to see what happens in the end.

    It's truly a unique title that really stands out in a crowd of open-wolrd/RPG games.    … Expand
  8. babaganush
    Aug 18, 2015
    9
    game doesnt load slowly for me, no bugs, no glitches and no crashes but thats because i use a decent computer when gaming and dont use a 5 year old or older comp without trying to upgrade it at somepoint. so the game works for me, i liked it, liked the story. just wish the company had not shut down because i like the way these stalker games went. now its just a relic i get to keepgame doesnt load slowly for me, no bugs, no glitches and no crashes but thats because i use a decent computer when gaming and dont use a 5 year old or older comp without trying to upgrade it at somepoint. so the game works for me, i liked it, liked the story. just wish the company had not shut down because i like the way these stalker games went. now its just a relic i get to keep replaying. oh well, i liked the game.… Expand
  9. carlosgtardon
    Jun 10, 2014
    9
    Pese a tener una gran cantidad de bug, problemas y ciertas caídas de calidad, S.T.A.L,K.E.R. es uno de mis juegos favoritos y uno de los pocos que me he pasado la saga entera y lo he rejugado. La historia, los guiños tanto a la película como al libro (picnic extraterrestre, que Metro es muy posterior al juego), el hecho de poder pasear por Chernobyl lo convierte es una experiencia muyPese a tener una gran cantidad de bug, problemas y ciertas caídas de calidad, S.T.A.L,K.E.R. es uno de mis juegos favoritos y uno de los pocos que me he pasado la saga entera y lo he rejugado. La historia, los guiños tanto a la película como al libro (picnic extraterrestre, que Metro es muy posterior al juego), el hecho de poder pasear por Chernobyl lo convierte es una experiencia muy especial. Además se trató de implementar programación por agentes para gestionar los animales del juego. Bajo mi punto de vista muy recomendable, pero tal vez soy muy fan.… Expand
  10. ShodanSpectre
    Sep 19, 2017
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A very immersive, dark, pending-apocalypse-themed game. Made in Ukraine, and as one who grew up in Russia I could really tell the difference in design from western impressions of the post-soviet world.

    I've played through it twice: once with the Arsenal mod - gives more and, more realistic weapons. 2nd time - the "Lost Alpha" version of the game, without any mods. Lost Alpha has some content that has been cut from the final release but, sadly, also some bugs, specifically certain types of Outbursts can get you anywhere - even deep underground in the designated hiding spots you still die. I haven't figured a way around that yet, perhaps one could activate godmode for the duration of the outburst if they reach cover.

    But that aside, the game is very well-made. It gives you an impression that the map is very large and diverse, and also "alive" - there are many things here and there, some can change since you've last visited them. Things that are not really expected but fit into the world really well.

    There are quest-givers that trick and cheat you. "Hehe, you brought what I asked for. Why thank you! And now GTFO while I'm in a good enough mood to let you walk away in one piece." - but, one could expect such people in the world "Stalker" takes place in.

    There are no "good" and "bad". At the beginning - all factions are neutrally-suspicious of you, as one would expect upon arriving at a place where everyone can get backstabbed any moment. The military are following their orders and trying to keep whatever is in the zone from getting out - alive or not. The "Dolg" ("Duty") - group, are a self-organized militia that kind of does the same, or at least claims so, but without government control over it... and while also making a profit of it. The "Svoboda" ("Freedom") group - are more like runaway criminals trying to thrive in a place where even the laws of physics are at times twisted inside out, leave alone man-made ones. But, many of these "criminals" are no worse than the ones who claimed them as such.The player may choose to remain neutral, or to join either the Duty or the Freedom groups. Later in the game, the player discovers the Monolith group, which is less understandable and more dangerous than the previous two. They generally shoot before they talk, yet they aren't just generic NPC gunfodder either.

    The armed NPCs may be not as frightening as some of the mutants, but in this game they are by far the most dangerous enemies, and the AI is particularly good, which isn't often seen in shooter or RPG games. Once alarmed, they don't forget about you 10 sec after loosing sight. They remember you for a long time, they will come at you and smoke you out of your hiding/sniping position, sooner or later.

    The mutants, while less dangerous and sophisticated than the NPCs, and also much less frequent - are a threat mostly when they take you by surprise, esp. at night (btw, nighttime in this game is REALLY dark. Without a flashlight - you can't see a damn thing. With a flashlight... well, you can see a little patch of ground about 10ft ahead of you). Dogs (which look like they are either a bit mutated or just very worn and... just weird in a rather creepy way) are quite common, their behavior is aloof, they are easy to kill during the day with just about any weapon, and one may start disregarding them as insignificant threats... Until one night they get attacked by a tight pack of 5-7 very aggressive dogs at once. On occasion, even rats can become aggressive and pose a threat, when attacking at night in huge numbers, esp. if the player is wounded, low on ammo, and jumped into the abandoned building to heal up or otherwise recover from an encounter that went worse than desired.

    The game does well in showing a world where noone is ever fully safe, no matter where they go. Most characters don't really understand what the f is going on, but are still trying to get through the day and perhaps make some money on the side, to either pay old debts, make a small fortune, or just get drunk at one of the relatively safe hubs scattered throughout the world.

    Through this atmosphere of omnipresent local dangers, such as mutants, anomalies, bandits - the game conveys a sense that something big is coming from the heart of the Zone. Something many, many times worse than what has happened already. Something that must be prevented at any cost. And the protagonist seems to be somehow related to it, through vague clues scattered throughout the world.

    The environment, resource management, voice acting - in this game is very good and atmospheric. I've found only a couple bugs, at least in the Lost Alpha version. But they can be gamebreaking / progression-halting later in the game, when you reach the vault door.

    The firearms and combat could have been made a bit more realistic (the enemies as well as the character are a bit damage-spongy in vanilla), but there are mods to fix that.

    Overall great game.    … Expand
  11. derek10
    Feb 8, 2015
    9
    Good atmosphere (night-day cycles, specially),huge realistic levels based on real life Chernobyl Alienation Zone, design, and gameplay. It has some graphic glitches like some trees or objects disappearing, the voice acting and history could be a bit better but it's still enjoyable.
  12. HungryVovka
    Jun 20, 2020
    9
    This is stil the most famous game for Russia. The gloomy design of the cards, scary monsters and anomalies, science fiction about current events in the region of the Exclusion Zone.
  13. inkblowout
    May 16, 2016
    9
    S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl hands down has to be the best atmospheric game I've ever played. It's a FPS mixed in with a few RPG elements. It's like Fallout and battlefield got together and had a baby. (because of the gunplay and the "Post Apocalypse" setting)

    The story, not gonna spoil anything. The story is comparable to "Bourne Identity" but it has it's own twists and makes it    S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl hands down has to be the best atmospheric game I've ever played. It's a FPS mixed in with a few RPG elements. It's like Fallout and battlefield got together and had a baby. (because of the gunplay and the "Post Apocalypse" setting)

    The story, not gonna spoil anything. The story is comparable to "Bourne Identity" but it has it's own twists and makes it memorable. The story in short words is that you have to track down a guy named "Strelok" and you have to kill him, and because your character was involved in a truck crash... Your character has to get that memory back and understand what's going on. The story makes it prefect because you are in the same position like the character you are playing (refered to as "Marked One") You have no clue what's going on... Which makes this part of the game great.

    The pacing of the game goes really well from the beginning to Pripyat and the pacing varies for each playstyle. You can play slow and take your time and enjoy the environment and explore or you can rush and breeze through the side missions and the main story. But until you reach Pripyat.. the pacing goes fast and I'm a slow player so I was like "Wtf this is really pacing up now" it kinda forces you to keep going but pacing was back to normal until I hit the Chernobyl NNP so that's the only problem I have with the game personally.

    Overall.. yes the game is extremely buggy and I found myself frustrated that the game would crash when spending at a certain area too long. (Dark valley) but what I've learned that GSC wasn't a huge game company so I forgive them for this, and plus there are many mods (like that 2009 complete mod or whatever) which fixes the game. So people shouldn't really be complaining about the bugs because there are fixes for it. But I loved this game, the atmosphere as mentioned before is great. You feel very immersed into the game and I would recommend this to anyone who likes these types of games.    … Expand
  14. Mo3gottar
    Jan 17, 2019
    9
    The Best apocalyptic game from Ukrain,made by some slavs with Adidas game engine
  15. Marked_One
    Mar 29, 2017
    9
    In my top 5 of best games I ever played. The story is pretty good, the gameplay is really good and it's really atmospheric. While you can say that the textures are dated, the fact that the game was in developement hell and even managed to pull it out as an actually good game shows that the developers actually knew what they did. However, sometimes enemies are bullet sponges, and it'sIn my top 5 of best games I ever played. The story is pretty good, the gameplay is really good and it's really atmospheric. While you can say that the textures are dated, the fact that the game was in developement hell and even managed to pull it out as an actually good game shows that the developers actually knew what they did. However, sometimes enemies are bullet sponges, and it's plagued by bugs, more than you would find in your house's attic.
    All in all, a really great game.    … Expand
  16. EasyHL
    Jun 11, 2018
    9
    Хорошая игра, 9/10. Это шедевр, минус балл за баги, а так игра хорошая.
  17. LetMePickThat
    Aug 7, 2018
    9
    Outdated graphically speaking, yet manages to convey an incredible ambiance. The list of shorcomings of this game is very long, yet it remains an absolute classic and should be played, with mods, by anyone who liked the Metro or the Fallout series.
  18. TheLedPonty
    Sep 3, 2018
    9
    Культовая игра с непередаемым советским колоритом и атмосферой отчужденности. Игра, определенно прошедшая проверку временем в лице непрерывающегося конвеера модификаций от игроков, начиная с 2008 года.
  19. Yuv
    Apr 22, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. its hard and good but Sometimes it's not fair as you go to another part of the map so I happen to be right next to enemies and it's a bit annoying but okay but it does not ruin the game on a level that can not be played… Expand
  20. Genek13
    Nov 20, 2019
    9
    This game taked me from surprise :) The atmosphere is outstanding !!!
    Every other aspect is also very good and unique :)
    If you never played this game before dont hasitate, bought it and give it a try :)
  21. nvt
    Jun 6, 2020
    9
    Эта игра дар богов, но даже у таких шедевров бывают минусы, первый минус допонительные квесты заключаются в том, что надо подать и принести и кого-то убить.И второй болия важный и существенный минус баги и легендарный зельоный жук, но поправде говоря в последних версиях зельоный жук почти пропалЭта игра дар богов, но даже у таких шедевров бывают минусы, первый минус допонительные квесты заключаются в том, что надо подать и принести и кого-то убить.И второй болия важный и существенный минус баги и легендарный зельоный жук, но поправде говоря в последних версиях зельоный жук почти пропал
  22. wagnerow
    Nov 30, 2020
    9
    This game is incredible. The history and atmosphere are unique. The graphics are not beautiful, but it is not a problem, because the game is very engaging.
  23. DarkFlower
    Jun 28, 2020
    9
    Помню как в далёком 2008 году я взял диск с этой у своего друга, который уверял меня, что поиграв в эту игру один раз, я уже никогда её не забуду.
    Я не забыл. Легендарная игра, и самая лучшая игра созданная до сих пор в СНГ
  24. Spajry
    Nov 15, 2021
    9
    so the game is not for everybody, u must have patience to play this game as its kinda broken and likes to crash, but the story is great, gunplay and graphics is ok. i liked the game and recommend to play it
  25. nexus151196
    Sep 6, 2020
    9
    Великая игра , с фантастической атмосферой. Сюжет даже спустя столько лет - не отпускает. Часто сижу на вики и читаю всё, что связано с серией. Стрельба хорошая, графика тоже, музыка пробирает до мурашек. Игру смело можно назвать классикой жанра.Великая игра , с фантастической атмосферой. Сюжет даже спустя столько лет - не отпускает. Часто сижу на вики и читаю всё, что связано с серией. Стрельба хорошая, графика тоже, музыка пробирает до мурашек. Игру смело можно назвать классикой жанра.
  26. Rolikkk1488
    Apr 1, 2021
    9
    Лучшая игра. По моему в ней все идеаотро, ща исключением большого количества багов.
  27. KolesAdlerov
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    Can't say it's a "10" because of buggy engine. One of the two best AI ever made for a first-person. One of the two most advanced engines ever made for a first-person. The most atmospheric open-world ever created. "TRULY DARK NIGHTS" settings or mods are strongly RECOMMENDED.

    Gameplay: combat mechanics 9/10 stealth 7/10 atmosphere 10/10 Gameplay as immersive horror (X-labs and dark    Can't say it's a "10" because of buggy engine. One of the two best AI ever made for a first-person. One of the two most advanced engines ever made for a first-person. The most atmospheric open-world ever created. "TRULY DARK NIGHTS" settings or mods are strongly RECOMMENDED.

    Gameplay:
    combat mechanics 9/10
    stealth 7/10
    atmosphere 10/10
    Gameplay as immersive horror (X-labs and dark nights) 10/10
    Gameplay as RPG & im.sim (w/o mods): 7/10

    Story 9/10

    Graphics 10/10

    Sounds & music 10/10

    .
    Immersion as it is.    … Expand
  28. Kuzya_Zeleniy
    Oct 31, 2022
    9
    Very atmospheric game! She is very close to my heart.
    Mecheny and Sydorovich are real icons!
    Very good gameplay. And the main thing is interesting! The plot is also not bad. But personally, I would like better. But there are also disadvantages. The game has a lot of bugs. For example, when you are killed, you can fall into a texture. Legend! Legend of Ukrainian games! Therefore, I    Very atmospheric game! She is very close to my heart.
    Mecheny and Sydorovich are real icons!
    Very good gameplay. And the main thing is interesting!
    The plot is also not bad. But personally, I would like better.
    But there are also disadvantages. The game has a lot of bugs. For example, when you are killed, you can fall into a texture.
    Legend! Legend of Ukrainian games! Therefore, I will be very much waiting for Stalker 2. I hope that it will be released at least this decade)    … Expand
  29. DarkFox82b
    Mar 12, 2022
    9
    Доволі не погана ігра, яка порадує вас, як мінімум на кілька вечорів( не маленька) і яка привела до появи Чистого неба( моєї першої ігри з серії, що пішла на комп'ютері), Зову Прип'яті пізніше. Але грати після 2, 3 частини на першу не так сильно задовільняє/комфортно. Проте не дивлячись на це спробувати варто. 8.5/10(тому 9)Доволі не погана ігра, яка порадує вас, як мінімум на кілька вечорів( не маленька) і яка привела до появи Чистого неба( моєї першої ігри з серії, що пішла на комп'ютері), Зову Прип'яті пізніше. Але грати після 2, 3 частини на першу не так сильно задовільняє/комфортно. Проте не дивлячись на це спробувати варто. 8.5/10(тому 9)
  30. GegorSK
    Aug 13, 2022
    9
    I started playing in 2015, then I abandoned it, and after 7 years I came back to play again, I hope the second part will be less problematic than this one, yes there were crashes, bugs, but nevertheless, I want to support the Ukrainian company, and I hope that The second part of the Stalker will be good.
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Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best PC Game of 2007
7
#7 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007
8
#8 Most Shared PC Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. PC Zone UK
    85
    As a brave experiment in all-action shootery, STALKER has certainly succeeded, though with its dearth of personality and many peculiar foibles, you can't help but wish that the publishers had granted GSC some extra time to polish their creation. Oh, hang on a minute... [Apr 2007, p.56]
  2. Eurogamer
    80
    It's a warped behemoth from the Ukraine, and one of the scariest games on the PC. Stalker will remind you of all kinds of prior games, and yet it will also defy your expectations. Like the mythological Chernobyl zone it is based upon, this game is a treacherous, darkly beautiful terrain. Not everyone is going to enjoy venturing into the zone, but some of those who do will find what they've been looking for.
    Read full review
  3. Computer and Video Games
    80
    Littered with a variety of anomalies which can cause the unwary to explode and other delightful stuff, mutant doggies, deserted buildings, weather effects, real-time day/night cycles etc. etc. - it creates a deliciously unique atmosphere.
    Read full review
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