IGN UK writes: "The Zone was the best game place of last year. Sure, Bioshock's Rapture had incredible architecture and a killer soundtrack, but it was more a system of artfully-decorated tubes than a world. The Zone, the Chernobyl-devastated wasteland in which the first STALKER was set, was huge and convincing. It had its restrictions (you can defeat entire armies, but you can't climb over a barbed wire fence?) and its linearity, but it also had the sense it was a fully-functioning environment. While primarily a first-person shooter, featuring the usual gunning down of mutants and militants, it was also a survival role-playing game of sorts. The Zone was dark and weird, inhabited by surly men, horrifying beasts and random occurrence – a brilliantly harrowing holiday to somewhere only a videogame could realise".
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is about to launch and we've noticed player counts for the original trilogy spiking in anticipation.
"Mechanically, Clear Sky is a surprising leap ahead of Shadow of Chornobyl. Shooting, which was already solid, is tightened further. Mercifully, armour can be upgraded and repaired and there are now much more gear set combinations. This is further complemented by an increased emphasis on artefacts as a necessary adjunct to your gear set. The key aspect that elevates this prequel above its forebear is the extra focus on inventory customisation." - Ken Talbot| NintendoLife
Review - S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky should be seen as an expansion rather than a full prequel, but it is one that fans will enjoy nonetheless.
I was expecting a higher score for this game
Sounds like Clear Sky is still plagued by the problems that Shadow of Chernobyl had--bugs. But I'm sure once those get patched up, Clear Sky will be a great game.
I was expecting a higher score. Whatever, this won't stop me from picking this baby up on day 1. Shame it was recently delayed.
Oh and if you haven't yet done so, pick up Shadow of Chernobyl. it was an amazing title (especially with the Oblivion Lost 2.2 mod).