S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced Edition Review – Legends are Forever

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Reflecting on the initial S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy feels intriguing, especially with the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Despite the long-awaited sequel’s arrival following years of anticipation, much like the Stalkers within the Exclusion Zone, I find myself drawn back to where this journey began.

Last year, GSC Game World combined S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl, Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat into a collection called the Legends of the Zone Trilogy. This collection proved that these classic games still hold their ground. However, at launch, two significant features were missing: mod support and improvements for Xbox Series X/S and PS5 consoles.

In essence, we present S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced, providing an opportunity for owners of older-generation (or PC) versions to upgrade to a modern version at no extra cost. This upgraded edition offers several enhancements, including four graphical settings, enhanced lighting, 4K cinematics, and more detailed character and weapon models, among other features. Given the gameplay and world design still maintain their appeal despite being somewhat dated, this trilogy of classics continues to be a worthwhile investment.

Very few other game titles convey the unique ambiance found in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.. A pervasive ‘every man for himself’ mentality creates a distinctive harshness, even though at times this cutthroat attitude can prove useful, particularly when encountering untrustworthy adversaries.

As a gamer, whether you’ve dived into the world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 or not, the core essence of the game remains captivating. I find myself traversing various districts within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, yet the influence extends far beyond desolation and lethal radiation. Mutated creatures lurk around every corner, from vicious, bloodthirsty canines to other relentless nightmares that stalk the land. Anomalies appear randomly, their effects changing based on the game’s environment. Furthermore, there are factions and ambitious Stalkers scrambling for fortune, some simply trying to survive while others are downright hostile.

Among the various installments of the popular game S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Call of Pripyat stands out as the most exceptional, building upon the foundations laid by Shadow of Chornobyl and the enhancements introduced in Clear Sky. For instance, it introduces calibrating gear, Artifacts near Anomalies, and Emissions, a potentially lethal occurrence that demands immediate shelter. However, each game offers unique experiences, from your quest as the Marked One to track down and eliminate Strelok in Call of Pripyat, to the more deliberate pace and faction conflicts that characterize Clear Sky.

Despite your personal opinions on each game, such as my ongoing struggle to fully appreciate “Clear Sky” due to its slower tempo, they all demonstrate the robustness of the series’ open-world and non-linear design. In games like “Call of Pripyat,” although there are missions or objectives, like locating crashed helicopters, the approach you take is entirely your choice. However, this isn’t a leisurely walk through a post-nuclear paradise; it’s a challenging journey filled with obstacles and mystery.

Foraging for weapons, supplies such as ammo, food, medical kits including bandages and anti-radiation medication, will boost your odds of making it through in hostile environments within the Zone. Though these resources are abundant, understanding how to handle Anomalies, high radiation levels or even a simple piece of broken equipment can tip the scales in your favor.

As a devoted player, I’ve discovered that various factions within the game may assign unique tasks for me to complete, often with substantial benefits and possibly hidden treasures like stashes along the way. The interaction with these factions can differ greatly from one game to another – Clear Sky stands out as it allows my choices to directly shape my objectives. Even something seemingly trivial, such as putting away my weapons, can influence how characters respond to me. If I prefer a friendly approach, it’s best to keep my weapons stowed.

While it’s true that the open world of the trilogy might seem outdated compared to recent games, its enduring quality is undeniable even after all these years. In fact, very few other games manage to evoke the unique atmosphere of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. There’s a palpable sense of “every man for himself,” which gives it an inherent ruthlessness. At times, this harshness can be advantageous, particularly when navigating treacherous enemies.

Indeed, the main point of discussion is about the graphics, and I’m glad to say that the Enhanced version offers some significant enhancements. Water surfaces now reflect their surroundings realistically, particularly in Quality Mode. Additionally, the global illumination adds a touch of natural warmth or coolness to the environment based on the time of day.

That sense of solitude seems to echo constantly. Moments pass quickly; they’re transient. Friends from today might vanish, leaving you empty-handed. However, this ephemerality carries a unique charm and infuses importance into the fleeting moments.

In the game S.T.A.L.K.E.R., gunplay plays a significant role. Unlike most fast-paced shooter games, it’s more realistic. Mastering weapon stabilization and recoil control, which can be enhanced by crouching, can greatly improve your shooting skills. Selecting the appropriate weapon for each situation is equally important.

As a gamer, each firearm in this game packs a unique punch – the kickback from shotguns is undeniable, and the force of their impact leaves no room for doubt. Yet, nothing quite compares to the exhilaration of rattling off a series of semi-automatic rounds. However, it’s a bit disheartening that aim assist on some consoles still feels a tad unpredictable, even after so many updates. Luckily, we can disable it and tweak other settings to perfect our aim.

Indeed, the main point of discussion revolves around the visual aspects, and it’s reassuring that the Enhanced version brings about noteworthy upgrades. Water surfaces with screen space reflections appear realistic, particularly when set to Quality Mode. Additionally, the global illumination contributes to creating an environment that seems naturally warm or cold based on the time of day.

Compared to the PS4 version, infiltrating the initial bandit camp to rescue Nimble in Shadow of Chornobyl appeared more authentic with the enhanced lighting and shadows on the PS5. Previously, the skyboxes were acceptable, but they become breathtakingly beautiful on current-generation consoles. It’s so striking that it makes you pause to appreciate the clouds as you dash across open fields or the lightning during a storm.

It’s interesting to note that occasionally, there would be a small issue with artifacting in the game Call of Pripyat, and I’m not sure why this happened. Additionally, while there weren’t major variations in weapon models, the pop-in was significantly reduced (especially on Performance Mode). Unfortunately, I didn’t appreciate Quality Mode because it only ran at 30 FPS. However, the native 4K resolution and high-quality detail are definitely impressive to behold.

If you’re interested in a game that makes its environment and ambiance seem just as lively as its characters, then give the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy a try. It’s highly recommended!

In terms of selection, I chose Performance over Balanced Mode, even though the latter offers boosted 4K at 40 FPS. However, the consistent 60 FPS of Performance was my priority. For folks who value a seamless frame rate and own a VRR monitor, Ultra Performance could be an intriguing choice with its upscaled 2K resolution at 120 FPS. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal taste, but GSC Game World has ensured that each mode delivers a solid gaming experience.

Although each game in the Legends of the Zone Trilogy has its unique quirks, some subpar assistance from allied AI, and bugs, the most underwhelming aspect is its mod support, particularly on consoles. With Mod.io, it’s not expansive, and the existing options are mainly confined to new models, textures, animations, and so forth. It remains uncertain how this will progress in the future, but it seems console players may not get to enjoy additional content like Anomaly anytime soon.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but sing praises for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced. This upgraded version is a significant leap from its initial release, offering a captivating gaming experience. The diverse graphical modes provide an unparalleled level of customization for my visual journey, and the enhanced lighting brings the landscape and events to life with remarkable depth.

However, as much as I love it, there’s still room for improvement in areas like aiming options and mods, and a few minor technical glitches need to be ironed out. Nevertheless, each title in this trilogy is deserving of my time, if only to explore the hauntingly beautiful and desolate world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. to its fullest extent.

If you’re looking for a unique blend of sandbox gameplay, first-person shooting, and survival that isn’t for everyone, be aware that these games do have their fair share of bugs and polish issues. However, if you’re interested in an immersive shooter where the world and its environment seem as vibrant as its characters, then S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy is worth considering. Just imagine, it could serve as excellent preparation for when S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl releases on PS5.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-05-19 16:12