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

1. RoccoCille

   Jan 15, 2023

   10

   I decided to pick up STALKER off the back of all the hype for its long awaited sequel, due to drop in 2023 at some point. Playing it now someI decided to pick up STALKER off the back of all the hype for its long awaited sequel, due to drop in 2023 at some point. Playing it now some 15yrs later, I'm blown away by how good this game is, as most look incredibly dated. Gritty, grim, edgy, the graphics of the zone while dated now, still look good, but the star of this game is the AI of the NPC's and the gun mechanics and combat.
   
   Genuinely some of the best still that I've come across, it feels raw and authentic. You can be taken out by NPC's making their way around to flank you from behind when you're pinned if you're not careful. Don't expect them to walk through a door into your double barrel shotgun, they'll be happy to sit back and wait for you to make a move if it looks unsafe.
   
   Then there's the dystopian plot with the great maps. The mutants, radiation, artefacts.. it's all been so much fun. I'm about 25hrs in and have blended about half the time on the main contract, and half on side quests, which with hindsight is the right approach. Rushing too much on the main contract would probably lead to a less satisfying play experience, and were they designing it today, I would hope they would not unlock further stages until more side quests or play time was accumulated, to prevent that.
   
   I'm giving this a rare 10/10 for the reason that this is clearly a genre defining classic. For a game to be THIS good 15yrs after release is frankly insane. It should be clunky, crude and while fun also quite laughable at times, in the way Fallout New Vegas is for example. But this isn't: I think it comes down to the amount of time built into the AI, and the weapon/combat mechanics, which are the core of STALKER.
   
   For anybody who's not checked it out, it's so cheap now that I can't recommend it highly enough for hours of fun. And a great way to build up for the release of STALKER 2, which I'll 100% now be buying on release.… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
2. SAMpRo

   Apr 2, 2022

   10

   Очень классная игра!
   Классная атмосфера!
   Прекрасная погода и эффекты! Это игра шедевр она открыла врата в мир ЧЗО!Очень классная игра!
   Классная атмосфера!
   Прекрасная погода и эффекты!
   Это игра шедевр она открыла врата в мир ЧЗО!

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
4. EricR.

   Sep 6, 2007

   10

   This is probably one of the most amazing and extreme first person shooters i have ever played, yes it has its bugs and coding issues but once This is probably one of the most amazing and extreme first person shooters i have ever played, yes it has its bugs and coding issues but once you patch the game and get everything up to speed, the game had me playing for hours and hours. so many different things and possibilitys you can explore and proceed in many different ways. Just has me playing and playing just because of the several ways you can play through it, and many different and interesting endings and gameplay route within it. Its sort of like Deus ex and BioShock , so if your a fan of the Dues ex or BioShock i highly recommend this game. With the types of game play thats implemented in this game you'll just be blown away by the story and and environmental surrounding of this hostile world of Chernobyl!… Expand

   • 13 of 14 users found this helpful
5. Napolaen

   May 28, 2022

   9

   A cult classic that mostly stands the test of time. It has some bugs but is still a quite exciting shooter.

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. Prsmrti

   Mar 23, 2023

   8

   Absolutely deserved 8 for such a unique atmosphere, and filling the game world with various items and tasks mixed up with the story missions.Absolutely deserved 8 for such a unique atmosphere, and filling the game world with various items and tasks mixed up with the story missions. From what run all over the map in search of new artifacts and opportunities to earn extra money is not boring. The variability of endings by the original as well as impressive.
   Of the minuses only not all of the promised mechanics, the world is not as lively as we would like to, but it doesn't make the game much worse, yet the atmosphere is the main part of the game.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
7. Alexander_1996

   Apr 21, 2021

   7

   Because I am from Ukraine STALKER franchise has always had a special place in hearts of my peers but I have never been a part of this fan-baseBecause I am from Ukraine STALKER franchise has always had a special place in hearts of my peers but I have never been a part of this fan-base as only in 2021 I got the chance to actually experience the game myself.
   Shadow of Chernobyl is full of technical glitches and bugs but at the same time you feel that this game was made with love, it has something many other games don't - soul. You can't explain it in words neither you can show it on screen - you can only experience it yourself.
   I am not a fan of the story here (or of the way it is told) as after some time you lose a view of the whole picture (in later parts it gets much better) but everything else is pretty much on point. The game is hard and unforgiving - thanks God you can always decrease your difficulty.
   Overall, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl isn't a great game by itself but it lays out necessary basis for the whole trilogy.… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
8. B.O.S.Kuro-chan

   Mar 27, 2007

   0

   This game is 2D, not worth any upgrades to Vista. I would rather drink pig urine that was pooped in by a Gorilla with hemorrhoids than playThis game is 2D, not worth any upgrades to Vista. I would rather drink pig urine that was pooped in by a Gorilla with hemorrhoids than play this game. It is ugly, sounds horrible, has bad controls, horrible gameplay, retarded story line, and, to top it off, it installs about 20 viruses when you boot it up. Avoid this game at all costs.… Expand

   • 0 of 18 users found this helpful

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