S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

First off, don't let the video convince that this is just another modern-FPS. This is anything but that,it's a tactical FPS. It has an amazing living atmosphere not equaled by any other game. The perfect ambient soundtrack builds the more and holds tension all the time as the very nature of the zone is unpredictable. You could be ambushed at anytime or attacked by mutants when you least expect it. It has certain RPG elements to it and they add another layer of depth. Plenty of unique characters and you can side with any of them. Tonnes of mod-support adding another full-games length into it is reason-enough to purchase it. Give this gem a try!

I get bored fast by games and loose my interest fast. With STALKER SOC however it's the first time since the elder scrolls morrowind that I can play for hours on end. The world is full of life with very good atmosphere. To get some better graphics I installed the complete mod, just looking at the modding community for this game you can see I'm not the only one that fell in love with the game. This game is old but there is still a big active community. This game is a combination of FPS and survival horror. I'm now about 35 hours in the game and just now I'm learning a bit more about the history of my character, the missions and side missions are interesting and keep drawing you in. I don't have the feeling that I'm doing chores. I choose what I want and do what I want. I don't have a lot of experience in FPS but I like the way the game plays. It seems realistic enough. Guns draw up when firing for a long time so firing in short bursts is better, ... It's definitively not an easy game, I'm not a hardcore gamer and play on novice and it's still a good challenge. You have to be on your guard all the time for everything. Bandits that surprise you, all kinds of animals, fire, radiation, electric charges, ... The game also has a day and night cycle and weather changes. The Russian talking and the music in bars, played by people in camps sitting by a fire all add to the immersion. Also the fact that everyone is in the game for their own goal is nice, you are just one of the people trying to survive, you can join others or choose not to. You hear conversations everywhere or shooting and fighting nearby or far. You can choose to help or just stand and look from a far how another Stalker gets eaten by something. In short, I have fallen in love with the game and just want to push on in the story to see what else STALKER SOC throws at me, for me a definite 5/5 game.

The Good: + Unmatched atmosphere + Still the best game of the three + Made for PC players, not console peasants + Interesting storyline (based on 'Roadside Picnic' and 'Stalker (1979)') + A-Life system makes every encounter play out differently + Free-roaming (go where you want to go without any limitation) + Explore real locations like Pripyat, Red Forest and the Chernobyl NPP + Creepy underground labs (X18, X16, X10) + Haunting musical score by MooZe + No hand holding + Nights are terrifying + Semi-realistic shooting mechanics + Different types of ammunition + Inventory and weapon management + Weapons degradation + Faction reputation system + Use artifacts for special perks + Find secret stashes + Many side quests + Multiple endings + Manual saves + Infinitely moddable + Active mod community The Bad: - Needs the ZRP mod for the best experience - Can be confusing for new players - First few hubs can be extremely difficult - Beginning weapons are trash - Weapons and suits repair require a mod - Vanilla graphics are a bit outdated now - Terrible stealth mechanics - Some enemies have x-ray vision - Loading between hubs - Forgetting to save regularly! The Ugly: - Extremely buggy on release - Random freezes and CTD's - X-Ray Engine causes micro-stutter

In terms of sheer realism, mechanics, and atmosphere, these are the best "post-apocalyptic" first person games out there. They are also genuinely difficult, but in a realistic rather than gimmicky way. Getting shot will kill you, but it also kills them. No bullet sponges here and no "take 50 shots and keep fighting". This is one of the few games, where I felt real anxiety, during gameplay. The only other game I can think of which had this sort of potent effect is the original F.E.A.R. I echo other reviewers, however, in the need for Mods. These games are jewels in the rough. I have a soft spot for the "Complete" mods, which now exist for all three games, but some of the other mods recommended are good as well. No fan of Fallout 3 should miss these games. No fan of Metro should miss these games. No fan of the horror/survival/post apocalyptic genres should miss these games. And the price is right. GOG has really outdone itself here. Kudos.

Ok, this is one of the few games that I got completely lost in. In a good way though. I played it without mods upon original release, with a couple patches. I got it on GOG trough the redeeming program. This game makes no compromises, you will die. You will learn and die again, and again, and again. After a point, there is genuine satisfaction in surviving the quests and the firefights. When you develop enough experience and get good enough equipment, there is a feeling of accomplishment, you have to deserve it. The environment are huge, beautiful even today, and especially immersive. The enemies are very well trained and won't be easily dispatched, most of them anyway. Nothing in this game is perfect, but it all falls into place perfectly...