Every STALKER Game, Ranked - Price Prediction

As a long-time fan of the STALKER series, I must say that my personal favorite is undoubtedly STALKER: Call of Pripyat. Having grown up near Chernobyl myself, the atmosphere and setting of the game hit particularly close to home for me.

Initially, the STALKER series gained popularity as a local sensation sweeping through Eastern Europe; however, it soon transcended its regional ambitions and became popular on a global scale.

STALKER paved the way for games like Slavjank and established a unique genre within first-person shooters, which later influenced critically acclaimed titles such as Metro and Escape From Tarkov.

In essence, this combines survival, action, terror, and ethical decay into a captivating radioactive package. It’s highly likely that you’ll be compelled to kill someone for their possessions, only to find yourself later on the receiving end, having something valuable stolen from you. Yet, despite its horrific nature, we can’t help but be drawn to it.

While each game within the STALKER series is exceptional, it’s the fine details that make a difference, enabling us to arrange these artistic creations in a ranking system.

4. STALKER: Clear Sky

Too Much, Too Soon

Stalker Clear Sky

Placing STALKER: Clear Sky in the final position feels a bit painful, yet it’s only right. The game presented a significant visual enhancement compared to Shadow of Chernobyl, and significantly improved its gameplay, but the overall experience fell short.

Visually speaking, the game “Clear Sky” in the STALKER series stood out due to its impressive use of surface shading, atmospheric fog effects, and dynamic lighting.

The game was the pioneer in incorporating emissions, making it necessary for you to seek any hastily assembled hiding spot, unless you preferred an unpleasant end.

Among all the other games in the series, STALALKER: Clear Sky made the greatest effort to incorporate fresh gameplay elements, however, these attempts were not successful.

Engaging with a group implied contributing to their struggle for dominance over the Zone. You would frequently encounter opportunities to attack checkpoints, encampments, and even strongholds. The A-Life was always ready to counterattack with aggressive patrols.

The performance was outstanding when it functioned correctly, but unfortunately, the experience in the game “STALKER: Clear Sky” often disintegrates due to bugs lurking everywhere.

Additionally, the game featured a particular affection for grenadier foes capable of placing a explosive charge on your feet just before it detonated, resulting in an immediate demise each occurrence.

3. STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Brilliance In Flashes

The sequel to the “STALKER” series, titled “STALKER 2“, boasts cutting-edge technology, a gap likely attributable to the 15 years separating it from its predecessor, “STALKER: Call of Pripyat“.

Overcome numerous obstacles, manage to escape despite a studio shutdown, a major European conflict similar to World War 2, and a move from Kyiv to Prague, in the process of creating STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl>.

The result is an inconsistent game that, at times, could easily rank first, then last ten minutes later.

“What truly sets STALKER 2 apart is its immersive game environment. Although the A-Life aspect falls short compared to past games, the sound and artistic elements effectively create the atmosphere of ‘The Zone’ as you explore it.

In a desolate, post-apocalyptic setting, haunting screams of distant mutants, howling winds, swirling dust, and remnants of lives long gone – whether abandoned by humans or left behind by beasts – create an atmosphere of solitude that surpasses any other game.

Although STALKER 2 boasts exceptional combat mechanics conceptually, it is marred by questionable game design decisions such as the imbalance in weapon effectiveness and enemy armor equipment.

2. STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl

A Buggy Atmospheric Masterpiece

There are two types of stalkers: those who love STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, and tourists.

The inaugural game within the STALKER series was notably the darkest, mainly due to the contributions of Andrey Prokhorov, Oles Shyshkovtsov, and Aleksandr Maksimchuk, whose subsequent work with the Metro series further delved into deeper levels of despair.

In STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, the gameplay was quite challenging, even compared to other games at the time. However, this difficulty level seemed to align perfectly with the game’s eerie and hostile atmosphere.

While traversing the Zone, the Chosen One encounters sparse weaponry, hostile and plentiful mutants, and adversaries who seem indestructible.

In the game STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, the bullet sponges were truly disappointing, and there was a strange sense of familiarity when encountering similar tough opponents in certain STALKER 2 enemies.

Regardless of any complaints or unpleasantness encountered, there’s something satisfying about reaching 100 Rads, grabbing a drink, and enjoying the continuous jazz melody that fills the air. Even if the bouncers are unfriendly and other survivors keep to themselves, it all feels like part of the whole experience.

Despite all the intricate surface world-building, the chilling climax in Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl lies beneath the ground – it’s an underground horror. Even years later, many Zone veterans can’t help but shiver at the sound of the squeak from Agroprom’s rotating light.

1. STALKER: Call of Pripyat

The Zone Unfiltered

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve dived into the four STALKER titles, but none compares to the immersive experience of STALKER: Call of Pripyat. This gem, released in 2009, felt like a polished masterpiece from start to finish. For a while, it seemed like that was all we’d get from GSC Game World, but boy, were they saving the best for last!

In contrast to Clear Sky, which expands upon the settings and figures from Shadow of Chernobyl, Call of Pripyat transports players to entirely distinct locations, maintaining minimal connections to the initial narrative.

Instead of beginning as a solitary figure or a hired gun with no background, the game places you in the role of Aleksandr Degtyarev, a resident of Pripyat and a Major within the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU).

You enter the Zone undercover as a stalker, donning an AK carbine and a pristine Sunrise suit, in hopes of finding out what happened to Operation Fairway.

The investigative angle completely changes the gameplay, as your focus becomes making connections and getting access rather than stacking roubles and bodies.

“The enhanced graphics, setting, and battles in STALIKER: Call of Pripyat are impressive, but what truly sets it apart is the way it portrays a world that continues regardless of your presence.

Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in this game carry out their own activities that don’t depend on you, although you’re welcome to join them if you don’t disrupt their workflow. Occasionally, they might ask for your assistance with tasks like taking anomaly measurements, but at other times, they may prefer to work alone.

Exploring Degtyarev as an observer provides a more profound perspective on the Zone’s life beyond the legends like Strelok, and it paved the way for the conversation mods that sustained the popularity of STALKER until the release of STALKER 2.

STALKER: Call of Pripyat is not everyone’s favorite, but it is objectively the best STALKER game.

2024-12-19 17:39