Stalker Fans Review Bomb Remastered Trilogy For Removing Soviet Imagery

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Summary

  • GSC Game World launched a remastered trilogy of the original Stalker games on Steam yesterday.
  • However, they’re not going down well with fans, who are upset at the removal of Soviet imagery as well as several issues such as blurry visuals and input lag.
  • While it’s understandable given the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, many fans argue that the Soviet imagery wasn’t condoning Russia, but spotlighting the Soviet incompetence that led to the Chornobyl disaster.

Yesterday, GSC Game World released the Enhanced Edition of Legends of the Zone for PC, which is an upgraded version containing the original three Stalker games. This release has a lot to be excited about, such as added controller support and achievements. However, if you take a peek at the subreddit or store pages, it’s clear that many fans aren’t thrilled, since all three games in the series received ‘Mixed’ reviews on Steam yesterday.

The developers at the Kyiv-based studio have taken out or swapped several instances of Soviet iconography, possibly as a result of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This move has caused delays in the release of Stalker 2, and Russia is reportedly spreading false information about the game. Consequently, the developers decided not to launch Stalker 2 in Russia, and they’ve also removed Russian voiceovers and subtitles from the game. It seems that they are now doing the same with the remaster of the original trilogy.

Fans contend that the Soviet imagery in the initial three Stalker games wasn’t endorsing Russia, and thus it was unnecessary to eliminate it in the updated editions. As one critic puts it, “This is among the most excessive censorship seen in a video game in years.” The primary charm of the game’s Chernobyl-based setting lies in its being frozen in 1986, as Yaroslav Kravchenko of GSC stated in their documentary on Stalker 2’s production. The dilapidated buildings and radioactive landscape function as a lasting connection to the disaster, with rusty hammers, sickles, and propaganda posters serving as persistent reminders of those responsible for this failure.

“A Massive Downgrade”: Stalker Fans Have Even Penned A Letter To GSC

In gaming circles, I, as a fellow enthusiast, have taken my thoughts to the official subreddit of this beloved series. There, user u/SurDno, on behalf of us all, penned a heartfelt letter directly to the developers at GSC. It’s a celebration of their successful remaster launch and gratitude for offering the upgraded versions free of charge to those who already owned the originals. The praise doesn’t stop there; they appreciate the new features and quality-of-life improvements, such as Steam Workshop support.

However, there’s a note of concern too. They express disappointment over the significant alterations made to the Zone. With a hopeful tone, they urge GSC to reconsider these changes or, at the very least, provide an option for players like me to restore the original content to our gaming experience.

The letter states: “To maintain the authenticity of the Zone, it’s important to keep its historical aspects intact.” The games are based in an area frozen in time post-Chernobyl disaster, and these remaining elements serve not as propaganda tools but as reminders of the repercussions of authoritarian rule. What makes the Zone captivating is not just its unusual characteristics, but the place and era that few have experienced. Eliminating those aspects strips players of the immersion that made the initial games so compelling.

It seems quite strange to erase Soviet symbols from the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, given that it essentially serves as a memorial to the systemic blunders of the Soviet Union. In no way does this enhancement reflect positively on Russia.

Despite GSC Game World remaining silent on the matter, a wave of unfavorable reviews persists, with critics not only taking issue with the omitted Soviet motifs, but also the less sharp graphics, perceived input delay, and various problems associated with the game package.

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2025-05-21 12:36