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

Great game. Buggy though. 10/10 do buy!

Very immersive, amazing world, interesting rpg

Having never played the stalker Series. Playing through the first games, then will play Stalker 2. However, i am blown away by how advanced this game was for its time! With a few easy to download mods that improve game play and texture packs, you can make this old game look next GEN, graphics aside even playing Vanilla is a must as the atmosphere, ambience and story alone is enough to keep you hooked. really good main story campaign and plenty of side missions to keep you from getting bored in the zone. Almost perfect entry to the series, play this and you wont be disappointed. Now get out their stalker!

Still an immersive and unique experience after all these years. Expect some jank!

Did a full playthrough unmodded for about 65 hours, only had one game-breaking bug which was easily fixed by a mod. (The starting trader's door got stuck closed.) "Only one game-breaking bug" doesn't sound like a endorsement, but given what's accomplished here in 2007 and how much people meme on this game for bugs, it is genuinely impressive. As long as you are okay with some jank, this is a deeply interesting experience. I especially recommend this game for those who enjoy Fallout 4 on Survival Mode, although it is worth keeping in mind this game isn't "Fallout but Russian" in tone or setting. Basically, if you like difficult games with realistic restrictions, this is the game for you. General tips: * AI is significantly more advanced than what you might be used to in more modern titles. Enemies will take cover and may attempt to flank you. * Neutral entities that bark at you when you approach them with a weapon are saying "put your weapon away" in Russian/Ukrainian. This is the only untranslated line that might cause confusion to a player; all other lines are either translated or unimportant from a gameplay perspective. * Mission markers (the green target symbol) sometimes don't go away on your PDA. This is a visual only bug, but it can be fixed by installing the ZRP mod if it really bugs you. * You will not be able to carry a massive arsenal around all at once. Be selective about what you're carrying, and keep in mind ammo has weight too.

This game is an amazing sandbox and semi-open world, especially for it's time when it was released in 2007; it still holds up today, and the core gameplay loop of looting, shooting, and exploration is quite satisfying. The atmosphere is truly immersive, recommend playing with a good pair of headphones. Great for rainy or snowy days, as the gloominess of The Zone is greatly enhanced. Sitting down around a campfire with your fellow S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s after navigating the dangers of The Zone invokes such a cozy feeling, a refuge from the anomalies and bandits that patrol the abandoned structures and surrounding wilderness. Can be played with mouse and keyboard, or manually mapped to customized controller inputs. Be sure to start Steam in Compatibility Mode by Running as Admin for the Steam Overlay to work within the game. Has an amazing and active mod community, and still maintains a dedicated cult following as evidenced by the hype surrounding the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. If you're new to the series, this is a great jumping off point. Starter Tip(s): Sell your loot to The Trader or other vendors as often as you can, and money will never be an issue. Stashes and dead bandits offer near endless amounts of essentials like food, vodka, and medkits. Save and Quick-Save often! Potentially losing large amounts of time, progress, and rare items can be crushing. Lastly, don't forget to use your Bolts, or you'll regret learning the hard way by blindly walking into lethal anomalies.....

This game was alright, but I still enjoyed it. A lot of bonus points for the atmosphere and vibe of the game. ZRP made the experience a lot better. If this game is on sale you should defenetly buy it and play it sometime!

I remember attempting this game years ago when I was younger, getting frustrated, and then uninstalling it, never to be played again. Fast forward to 2024, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is coming out. At this point, I tell myself that I should play the old games before trying the new one. Many people seem to recommend that these games be played with mods exclusively due to their perceived age and jank, but after completing Shadow of Chernobyl, I think that this is an unfair assessment. I almost immediately fell in love with this game. Despite wearing its age on its sleeve, its atmosphere, world building, exploration, and mechanics all drew me in. I honestly don't know why it took me so long to get around to playing this game. My recommendation; play this game vanilla before adding any mods to enhance or change the experience which the developers at GSC originally created and published back in 2007, and then go back with a modded play-through later on. Who knows, you may just love Shadow of Chernobyl as it is.

The game is not new, but it is still interesting. Today, it is harder to play, and for many things, they have come up with more convenient controls, but even 20 years later, the game brings pleasure.

For 2007, this game definitely scratched the FPS itch; Far Cry meets Metro 2033. Pretty janky, would recommend downloading some mods to smooth out the experience (unlike what I did beating my head against the wall while the game crashed for the 3rd time in one night). Overall though, fun shooter with a decent story! Two words: Save. Constantly.