S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

As flawed as the S.T.A.L.K.E.R games are as a whole, they all carry a distinctive feel and atmosphere, each and every single one of them, including Clear Sky, it's in my book an incredible game, I’ve always had problem persisting through them and actually playing them from start to finish, but with Call of Pripyat it's clear to me that a lot has changed in me and the way I relate to this games, and it's been for the better. Looking at this games with different eyes, I can now say there's truly nothing like them, they deserve all the praise they get, plus thanks to modding and the community behind it, there's still new and fresh discussion going around this games, I loved them all, but Pripyat it's the one that's widely regarded as the best of the trilogy, either way, this is one of those games you need to sit down, persist, and play, there's really nothing like it out there. I love it because of it's "primitivity" but I love it more because it can push through it and appeal with it's individuality. Truly an amazing game, and something every person that feels passionate about gaming needs to play.

Improved gameplay, new map, new story and characters. We start from a different point of view as you are soldier. You are in a different part of the Zone, just after the end of Shadow of Chernobyl. This game makes you feel what it is to be a stalker in the Zone, to trust no one or to have friends. You can make choices that will influence the story. Some places look very similar to actual places, it makes everything more realistic, as if the stalker universe wasn't far from our. An awesome and unique post-apocaliptic experience. I wish for another episode !

The Graphics engine in this series is nothing less than spectacular. Rain effects splashing off your gun barrel, lightning flashing lighting up the countryside and buildings, eerie lights and reflections, shadows, all make for a creepy atmosphere. I don't enjoy what in my opinion is an unnecessary difficulty built in that can rob you of a satisfying ending. When gamers devote themselves to long hours of slugging through your game only to find they missed something that halts a gratifying ending, to say the least, is a BIG disappointment. Thankfully, by choice, I had none of those. Instead, I would encourage different paths, where you might miss something others encountered, but that all lead to the same satisfying ending. That way all players can share their different encounters, yet ALL be jubilant about the ultimate victory! The way this game chooses to lead people down different paths to various endings, risks the chance of alienating 70 percent of your audience for your next game. In my subjective analysis, Shadow of Chernobyl is the best, with Call of Pripyat a close second, and Clear Sky coming in a distant third. Check out this trailer for Call of Pripyat. https://youtu.be/NddLb-npLoQ

Finally after the little mess Clear Sky was, the developpers went back to the roots : no more turf wars, no more tedious end game... If the missions are a bit more linear, but the fact that you can side with the bandits (or not) give the game a nice replay value (I sided with the good guys because yes I'm can't help being a boy scout -_- ), interesting supporting characters with endings depending on your choices, various missions, good choice of weapons (even though I doubt you'll finish the game with your starting equipment -but it could be a nice idea for a challenge !-) and new areas. So basically it's a kind of lighter version of Shadow Of Chernobyl, shorter, less mystic, more "down to earth" and, therefore, lacks some really terrifying moments (you explore a lab but it's far from being as tense as the X-16 and X-18 in SoC) and interesting fights against the mutants (I don't remember Controllers being such a chore to fight -mostly because of a visual gimmick- and wasting so much ammo the the stupid patterns of the Snorks and Bloodsuckers). But despite these minor flaws, don't resist the Call and enjoy a last picnic in the Zone.

The graphics are not very good. Even on the highest settings, the grass can only be seen up to about 30 m. But graphics are not everything. The operation of the game is also getting used to and almost nothing is explained. But after studying the control in the options; the intensive reading of the tips in the loading screen; the even more intensive search for tips on the Internet and many try it works quite well. The opposing behavior also wants to be studied, the enemies can also see you in the dark and bent as if it were daylight. But as soon as the NPSs can no longer see you, they can be very realistically tricked. But it doesn't matter, because the atmosphere, the freedom, the factions, simply the world in which you move makes this game absolutely worth playing. Whoever played DayZ knows what I'm writing about. Finally, many, many thanks to the employees of GOG who made this game fit for Win 10 again.