Be sure to patch it! | S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl ...

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

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	• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Windows \| THQ, 2007 average customer review:based on 165 reviews view larger image
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A non-linear FPS!

You won't need to break out a new computer to run this - the minimum system requirements say a Pentium 4, 2.0 Ghz... I've got a six year old laptop that can do that. But you really should have something better than that.

The graphics are good, nicely done. Elemental effects (dust, leaves, etc) are nicely done. As you're stalking through the wastelands of Chernobyl, you won't have a lot of brightly lit, friendly areas - it's all pretty dark and depressing. Even on a top end computer and graphics setup the voices don't always match the movements.

This is one of the very few non-linear FPS games out there - it's not just point A to point B. There are all sorts of side missions you can do if you want, or you can skip them all. You can even go back (once you get near the end) and do any of the missions that you skipped. You can acquire money (not really needed in the single player game, but very much needed in multiplayer) and information on these side trips, as well as a few toys.

Weapons are pretty much old school - nothing really modern here, but they're done well. As a weapon ages it'll jam or run into other problems. Weapons can be modified with scopes.

Unlike other FPS games, there are no MedPaks or instant healing - you need to apply bandages to keep yourself from bleeding to death, and vodka will ease the symptoms of radiation sickness (hey, it is a Russian game, after all). Also unlike other FPS games, you will get tired and need to rest and recover, which gives it a slightly more realistic flavor.

The storyline is a little weird, and very drawn out - there is a bit of mystery to it all, but it's nothing desperate, either. If you don't figure it out, it won't ruin the game for you. While it tries to be creepy and spooky in spots, it doesn't really succeed - it's all "been there, done that".

Warning: you /must/ create an online persona even if you don't intend to do multiplayer, and one of the online files (a dll) can cause minor problems for you if you reboot without the disk in. (Just click 'okay' if it pops up a message about a missing dll)

Pros: good solid graphics, nice weather and environmental effects. No monster computer needed, though you should have something fairly powerful to take advantage of all the graphics. Non-linear gameplay, making it more variable and interesting, and giving it some good replay ability. Limited, old school weapons, but fairly well done.

Cons: the online component (even if you just do single player) can screw you up a little. There's not always a clear path on what you're supposed to be doing. It tries to be spooky, but doesn't succeed at all. Enemy AI could be better. Gameplay can be a little slow at times, and there are times when the storyline bogs things down also.

It's a better game than Cryostasis or Painkiller, but almost anything would be. It's not as good as F.E.A.R. or Far Cry. It's a bit different as far as the side missions, which is the main saving point of the game. Probably the first FPS game I've ever seen that doesn't have any cheats or developer modes, which actually is a nice point.

I wasn't all that impressed with it (other than graphics and the side missions), but I prefer the faster, harder gameplay of a standard FPS such as F.E.A.R. or Quake 4. Even ancient games such as UT2004 have it beat as far as straight ahead, all-out fast-paced action.
I'd recommend this if you've done everything else and want to try something different.

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Be sure to patch it!

This is a great game but not without the proper patches.
Be sure to update to the latest patch as well as something called float32 which simply improves the graphical performance with dynamic lighting.
There are several extensive mods that totally change the game, such as L.U.R.K.
These are great after you have beaten the game if you want to extend its life.

Excellent Game

This game is highly entertaining as it provides plenty of challenge to the player, while not being overall unbeatable. You start out easy, with simple weaponry and easy opponents, assuming you don't advertise your presence unnecessarily.

One of the fortunate aspects of the game is, while there are mandatory missions that are necessary to complete the game, you can choose which secondary missions to accept, and which not to, plus rewards vary. Also, while certain jobs might be situated in the "easy" portion of The Zone, you may still push forward into the harder sections, up to the Brain Scorcher (in deference to those who haven't played the game, I will provide no other information). You are basically free to do whatever you want until you decide to do the mandatory missions.

Another fortunate aspect is the number of "factions" available for interaction. They include: Monolith, Freedom, Duty, Loners, Bandits, and mutants. Monolith and mutants are ALWAYS enemies, and there is NO way to befriend them. The mutants vary in their specific abilities, but all of them are extremely challenging, and provide some mild terror that is worthwhile due to the frequent adrenaline rushes, especially if you are wearing headphones. They tend to come out of nowhere, and frequently attack with a loud noise. Have fun. As for bandits, they hate everyone except themselves. Their sole purpose in the game is to get shot. Practice on them. They are not especially difficult, however in numbers, they do pose a serious threat, so do not underestimate them. Freedom, Duty, and Loners are all neutral in the beginning. You can befriend them by serving secondary missions for them, aiding them when they are wounded, or fighting. You may also cause them to become enemical towards you by simply shooting them. They do tend to frown on that.

All in all, the game is highly enjoyable, and highly addictive. Expect to spend a few hours in front of the computer shooting mutants and bandits, attempting to find out what is at the center of The Zone, and when you finally reach Chernobyl, all I'll say is you will be greatly surprised by what happens next. There are multiple endings, and the choices you make in the game will affect which ending occurs for you. Have fun, and enjoy living "The Zone."

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Nice game

this game is not awesome at all, but it can turn your bored hours into some fun time, the phisics and the gameplay are quite good and the "ending affecting" decisions or your status against people can influde in you develop.

i recomend this if you want something to spare some time

Get the Stalker Complete 2009 Mod!

This game is great. It does not have a scripted or guided set of actions like a console game. The graphics are dated for 2010, so get The Complete Stalker 2009 Modification (which updates the graphics and sound) to get a better feel.

There were numerous times where I jumped in my seat, and felt my heart race during the game. This is partly due to the fact that I get really into games, but also due to the fact that the game is intense and involved. I highly recommend the game, and the reviews show it.

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The world?s worst nuclear disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl power facility in the Ukraine. The area slowly recovered until 2006 when an unforeseen second explosion rocked the landscape, leaving a vast "Exclusion Zone" plagued with deadly energy disturbances in its wake. The quarantined Exclusion Zone expanded over time, and by 2012, specially equipped poachers, known as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s, venture into the Zone to claim radioactive artifacts for the black market. You are a new S.T.A.L.K.E.R. battling for survival among rivals, soldiers and mutant creatures while trying to discover the true nature of Chernobyl?s dark past and horrific future.

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