As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the Stalker series has always held a special place in my heart. Having played every game since the original Shadow of Chernobyl, I’ve witnessed the evolution of this unique franchise firsthand.
Among first-person survival horror games, there’s arguably none that offers such a gripping atmosphere, high tension, and sheer anxiety like the Stalker series does.
Located within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, following a second nuclear disaster in 2006 that ravaged the land, this show presents a chilling scenario: If the radiation doesn’t claim your life, then surely the grotesque, tentacle-faced creatures lurking about will.
The new installment, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, has updated the elements cherished in the initial games, bringing them into contemporary times. Unlike Fallout’s post-apocalyptic world brimming with humor, Stalker opts for a stark, authentic portrayal (as authentic as a radioactive monster-filled world can be). It is this unwavering dedication to realism that makes the series so compelling.
Anyway, now the radiation of fan expectation has fallen to safe levels (and we’ve had a few days to play it, thanks to its day one release on PC Game Pass), it’s the perfect time to rank every Stalker game from worst to best.
5. Stalker Mobile (2007)
Reminiscent of Java games from before smartphones took over, this mobile game in the Stalker series stands out as a decent choice. Gameplay mirrors that of the main series, with players battling mutants, gathering equipment, and accomplishing tasks across the desolate landscape of the Zone, following a familiar pattern.
In use, the simplicity is expected considering the hardware it was built upon, and the player’s choices are somewhat restricted to maintain an engaging experience. However, the retro pixelated graphics might be mistaken as intentional, and they’ve gained such a following that a fan has even created an unofficial PC remake of the entire game.
4. Stalker: Clear Sky (2008)
Clear Sky serves as a direct precursor to Shadow of Chernobyl’s events, placing players in control of Scar (a key figure in Stalker 2). The narrative revolves around the Clear Sky faction, who are conducting research to grasp the inner workings of the zone. Despite its reputation for being excessively challenging, Clear Sky managed to execute several aspects effectively.
The complex decision-making process significantly influenced the game’s outcome, and the choices you make throughout the journey noticeably shape the game’s ending. Factions act autonomously, with their power level directly impacting their resources and readiness for battle. Furthermore, weapon customization saw a substantial improvement compared to the initial game, and the anomalies began to follow a system reminiscent of Stalker 2.
Here, technical problems were quite common, and unfortunately, Clear Sky didn’t achieve the same level of popularity as some of the later games on this list that are more highly regarded.
3. Stalker: Call of Pripyat (2009)
Moving on to the immediate follow-up in the game sequence, Call of Pripyat, stood out for its rich detail, although it may have seemed somewhat old-fashioned at the time of its launch. It incorporated numerous aspects that latecomers to the series might not anticipate, such as repairing gear, taking rests, and recovering energy when not running fast. Additionally, it expanded on the faction system and made the Zone feel more populated than ever before.
The story wasn’t quite as compelling as the original, but there was more than enough radioactive meat on the bone to keep the player interested from start to finish. Sadly, while the scale and scope of the game were impressive, the environment was less interesting to explore, and vast expanses of empty space were frustratingly common. That said, there is more than enough here to recommend jumping back in, and it serves as a nice setup for the newest entry in the series.
2. Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl (2007)
The game that started it all is still one of the very best in the series. It’s difficult to explain how groundbreaking the original Stalker felt when it was first released, but its influence is considerably more widespread than it’s given credit for today. The real strength of Shadow of Chernobyl lies in its narrative and focus on world-building, ably assisted by the 1979 film Stalker, on which it is loosely based.
In comparison to the game, the backdrop of the movie is significantly less defined. However, the creators masterfully constructed a surreal and terrifying environment that seemed remarkably authentic under certain conditions. Though it may not boast the same level of gameplay enhancements as Call of Pripyat, it still stands out due to its exceptional ambiance and compelling storytelling.
1. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (2024)
In the past 15 years, technological progress has greatly enhanced the latest game in the series. Heart of Chornobyl builds upon its predecessors by offering players sophisticated crafting and customization options, immersive survival elements, and an abundance of weapons. The faction system is expanded and refined compared to earlier games, providing multiple paths for story development (it’s important to mention that there are fewer conclusive endings than the original).
The visual changes are crisp, and Zone’s peculiar beauty is striking, despite the constant sense of impending danger it evokes. The pollution levels and weather conditions seem genuinely hazardous, and they effectively convey the perilous nature of the environment as described in the game’s backstory. The gunplay, particularly combat situations, feel authentic, and a malfunctioning weapon can frequently determine whether you live or die. Surviving in Chernobyl is challenging, and no other game portrays this struggle more convincingly than Stalker 2, solidifying its position as the finest installment in the series thus far.
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2024-12-04 17:56