Delve into Chernobyl's past at your peril (S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl (PC))

Member Name: zwl20

Product:	S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl (PC)
Date:	20/11/08 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Atmospheric graphics, intellectually engaging plot

Disadvantages: Landscape can drag on depressingly into infinity

The highly anticipated shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R opens with a highly atmospheric cut scene featuring an army truck rattling across the desolate landscape of Chernobyl. As the camera cuts to the inside of the truck, a soldier is seen leaning casually against the door. One swing of the camera later, you realise the soldier is dead, the truck is filled with bodies. A dramatic opening indeed.

You play as a survivor of one such death truck, with no memory of your past save a PDA type device and the word STALKER tattooed across your arm. How you will survive in the desolate landscape? What strange creatures share the environments with you? the ultimate goal is to discover your past on a journey which will take you deep into the heart of chernobyl itself.

Plot: Much of the STALKER pre-release hype hinged on a free-roaming environment in which you are supposedly able to make any decision you like and see it affect the outcome of the game. This is of course not entirely true. Nevertheless, STALKER does a good job of giving you plenty of options-however you are ultimately guided towards the predestined outcome. For example in the last part of the game you must do things in a certain order to achieve an outcome-otherwise in addition to the real and false endings there is a third option, which is the game ends in a bug. A rather damp squib for an otherwise excellent game.

Gameplay: A free-roaming FPS, with a good assortment of creepy enemies and plenty of inventive weapons as you tackle increasingly bizarre mutant enemies. A minor complaint is you do tend to spend a lot of time running across a rather monotonous landscape.

Graphics: Very atmospheric, although despite the sprawling landscape there are few big outdoor setpieces, and the yellow and greys really do get to you after a while.

Summary: An interesting idea, well executed, convoluted plot well worth playing out to the end. Does not live up to all the pre-release hype however.

Summary: An interesting idea, well executed, convoluted plot well worth playing out to the end.