I do enjoy some rogue-likes but I carefully choose the ones to purchase. FTL is the perfect game to describe amazing rogue-like games. The game is very atmospheric and addictive. Soundtrack - absolutly phenomenal, gameplay - addicting as much as a HOMM game. Don't get yourself fooled though. FTL is not an easy game, it will take lots of trial and error to play well, but that's one of the things which makes this game so addicting. 10/10 ,would reccomend to anyone who enjoys rogue-likes or just strategy games overall.
Shadow of Chernobyl did a lot of things right and wrong, Clear sky did everything wrong, Call of Pripyat does almost everything right but still has some flaws (Soc - Shadow of Chernobyl, CS - Clear Sky, COP - Call of Pripyat) Story - It is the final chapter in the series with lots of fun, intimidating and overall interesting quests. I liked the story, not as much as SoC, but I like it. If you want to experience the full game then do all the sidequests as most of them have good backstories. Gameplay - I find this to be the worst thing the game did. This is just my opinion, but I feel like I barely had any action in the game, rather it felt more like a walking simulator in both a good and bad way. As said already, the quests make the game real and interesting, not just the action. SoC and CS made me feel under pressure as you never know when the next bandit is going to shoot you, in COP you just walk around knowingly that the chances of getting attacked are very low which made me feel bored. Overall it is the quests that make the game, not the action. Sadly it is also the smallest game only having 3 areas to explore. You also don't feel the difficulty that is so bone crushingly difficult in SoC and CS, which is good. Soundtrack - As with any S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game, the atmosphere feels real and scary thanks to the amazing soundtrack. There is not much to say about it other than it's phenomenal. Verdict - it is the most polished, best atmosphere and less action, more story.
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series will always have a place in my heart and especially Shadow of Chernobyl. I found about this game back in 2014 because I was never interested in survival shooters. However my neighbor had the collector's edition and I was like "Hey! Isn't that the survival shooter in Chernobyl?" He replied "Oh, believe me, it's more than just that". And so this is how I got my copy. Story: As I said the game is a survival-horror FPS set in Ukraine, Chernobyl after the nuclear disaster. The story (no spoilers) is simple. After the disaster a bunch of artifact collectors called "The Stalkers" came in to take the artifacts and become rich. You play the role of a Stalker named "The Marked One" who had an amnesia and is trying to remember his past. The story itself is amazing and it sounds like one of those stories from your friends when you're camping and they are telling stories at night. Gameplay: The first thing that I noticed is how difficult the game is from the start, it is definitely not friendly to newcomers. I started the first mission and died twice before I realized two very important things: quicksaving and tactics. This is no Call of Duty where you can run around shooting people in without punishment. Here, you are just as fragile as the enemies (if not more), so you need to think through what you are doing. Shooting however isn't everything. You will need to look out for deadly anomalies and mutants because they can rip you to shreds in seconds. There is a weight system which is very unnecessary but it wants to be as realistic as possible so I'll let it slide by. Unfortunately there are no upgrades for weapons and armor, but that comes in later games. Don't forget to stock up on bandages and first aid kits. Soundtrack: Ah yes, what would be a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game without the phenomenal soundtrack. Even though it is only 1 and a half hours long, it will make you feel like you are part of the game. It will make the atmosphere intense and scary. Verdict: If you like horror shooters with good story and don't mind difficulty, then S.T.A.L.K.E.R. SOC is for you.
