Summary
The first three mainlineS.T.A.L.K.E.R.games were released one after the other from 2007 to 2009 — with the next mainline entry only being released 15 years later. The games give off an eerie, borderline claustrophobic sensation despite being open-world games. The games are set in the Exclusion Zone of the irradiated wasteland that is Chernobyl.
The games feature plenty of human enemies, but players must also face terrifying mutated horrors and deadly anomalies that can take them out in seconds. The games contain a deep well of lore and mystery to captivate players as they explore and fight through their terrifying world setting.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Skyserves as a prequelto the first entry in the series. It provided several new features, as well as improvements to both the graphics and the atmosphere of the world. The game also provides various factions to interact with, just like in the first game. However, the player’s choicesbetween these factionsis far more important inClear Sky, with said choices shaping the game world.
Many players felt that this game was far too hard, as enemies could hit players with precision accuracy. Death would occur from only a few hits. This, combined with technical issues, makes it a less enjoyable experience compared to other games in the series.
4S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Mobile
The Doom of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Games
In addition tothe mainline trilogy, there is also one official mobile game in the series.S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Mobilereleased before the first commercial version of the Android Operating system. The game is not designed for smartphones, but rather cell phones. It visually resembles a 2D FPS, similar to the firstDoomorCastle Wolfensteingames. There are plenty of NPCs and dialog for a narrative story, but the gameplay is not the same as the mainline entries.
Instead, the game plays more like anarcade light-gun shooter. Enemies will pop out of cover for players to quickly dispatch as they progress through the game. This makes for an enjoyable game to this day, as players can accomplish short objectives while waiting in a line or commuting to work.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyatis the last mainline entry before the release ofS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and takes place between the events ofShadow of ChernobylandHeart of Chernobyl.The game is much more polished thanClear Sky, with improved stability and technical performance. This game droppedthe faction mechanicsofClear Skyand made the difficulty curve much smoother. It features a high level of immersion and streamlined resource management.
WhileCall of Pripyatis a clear winner overClear Sky, the game world does not pack the same punch as the first game, which gave off avery eerie presenceand felt tense to explore. This game feels safer, and being scared of what might be lurking around is one of the many charms of the franchise.
Fallout 3may have been first on the scene with a vastopen-world post-apocalypse wastelandto explore, but it was an RPG through and through.S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobylmade players feel far more vulnerable, putting them in a large open world with plenty of dangers around every corner without the feeling of being able to grow into an OP power house. Players cannot run in and take out a large group of enemies. They will need to use plenty of movement and awareness to survive all the dangers the game will throw their way.
These dangers involve numerousdifferent kinds of mutantsand human enemies alike. Players that choose to engage every threat they come buy will find themselves struggling, as this will leave them with very little ammunition. Many fans still herald this game for the mystique of the world, and the narrative of its story — which provides plenty of tension and intrigue.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobylis by far the most visually stunning game in the series, but the audio takes the game to the next level. Playing the game with a quality headset can cause a player to spin their head around looking for a bird that may have flown into their house, only to realize that it’s the sound of a bird in the game. This is just the tip of the iceberg.Heart of Chornobylis one of the most immersive marvels in modern-day gaming — both on the surface and moving underground.
There are a lot of games that will score higher thanS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2and feel a lot more polished overall. Veterans of the franchise may still regard the first game as the best due to its nostalgia factor, but players looking for the mostS.T.A.L.K.E.R.experience will find thatthis game hits harderthan any of the past games by comparison.
