If you haven't played a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game before, I'd recommend starting with Shadow of Chornobyl, then playing Call of Pripyat (which is a sequel to SoC) and then play this, even if this is technically a prequel to SoC. If it wasn't S.T.A.L.K.E.R. I'd be less harsh, but it is, and the other games are so so so very good, so while I do recommend this to fans of the series, I don't recommend this as a first-time S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience.
DISCLAIMER: I played with no mods on veteran difficulty, which is the second hardest and third easiest difficulty, respectively. You may have different experiences than I depending on your difficulty/modlist.

For starters, let us go through the positives, most of which are improvements over SoC. Clear Sky's artifact system is a huge improvement over SoC. It is all in all more challenging, more rewarding (monetarily), and more involved than SoC. Instead of seeing a loose artifact, and depending on the value/use/rarity debating if it's worth the inventory weight, you actually hunt for these artifacts in anomalous fields, having to carefully navigate them with three tiered detectors. Really rare artifacts are worth quite a lot, and since many things are much cheaper in Clear Sky (partially due to its shorter length), artifact hunting, while not important/essential, is very rewarding. SoC had no repair system, so if you had a weapon/set of armor you liked, there was no way to fix it, and since weapon/armor quality was directly (pretty sure armor stats are multiplied straight up by the percent durability you are at, so half durability armor is exactly half as effective) tied to its stats, you never want to be armed/armored with anything below 2/3 durability. In Clear Sky, not only can you repair weapons/armor, but you can upgrade them too, making even some early game weapons capable of being nearly as deadly as a late game rifle.

Now, we go onto the negatives. My primary issue with this game is in its pacing and its story. First off, in the very beginning of the game, you're thrown into firefights with large groups of opponents with equal arms, and you will quickly realize how hopeless your character is in a firefight without an arms, armor, medicine or manpower advantage. This game makes you feel like a grunt stacked against immeasurable odds, and not in a particularly rewarding sense. Your character is expected to pull off incredible/fantastical firefights back to back to back, while having no advantages beyond not being a dumb AI, except these dumb AI possess incredible aim and infinite ammo, as well as a guaranteed numbers advantage. Once again, not unheard of, so what's the problem? The problem is the gun-play. If you weren't David and the enemies Goliath, the gun-play would be fun and heavily realistic. The problem is you're David with realistic gun-play.

Even at perfect durability almost all guns are highly inaccurate at moderate to long distances, including your first shot (something almost unheard of in most games). Moving causes a loss of zero on sights. A decent amount of cover can be shot through. At around 90% durability your gun can start to jam. On top of this, enemies fight you like you're in an actual firefight. They will pin you down with prolonged fire so you can't peek out lest you know you can take a half-dozen rounds before you can kill them. And while they have you pinned, they'll throw grenades at you to flush you out. They may be braindead, but between their aim and their tactics, they are well-trained.

If you don't have the best armor towards the end of the game, you will get shredded around every corner. Which is really bad because the final missions have you fight several hundred enemies in a long push from which you cannot turn back, only occasionally stop to repair your gear. You also will need to carry multiple weapons, because if you only use one during this time, your gun will start to jam in-between repairs, and you likely won't have enough ammo as well, since even with a thousand rounds for one gun, you'll need a thousand more to deal with the pouring hordes of enemies ahead of you, effectively requiring you to scavenge for ammo from the fallen.

Finally, I'm going to complain about the faction/warfare system. Warfare isn't fun. Not in real life, and not in this game. Most of the time, if your allies need help with an objective, if you're not right there, they'll either win or lose without you long before you reach them. On top of that, even if you take over every point the enemy controls and kill every single faction enemy on the map, they will spawn in whenever they feel like it, occasionally with enough manpower/firepower to turn the tide of the war. No matter what side you are on, there's no winning in war.

The economy is absolutely bewildering. 10 rounds of 12/70 buckshot is worth 10 RU. A bandage is worth 200 RU. A medkit is 300 RU. A double-barreled shotgun is 400 RU (a sawed-off is 200 RU). That means a shotgun is worth two bandages, and a bandage is worth 200 rounds of buckshot. Why on earth are shotguns and buckshot so cheap and bandages so expensive? Certain minor objectives/missions will reward you with only enough money to get two or three bandages, while you could also buy hundreds of rounds of buckshot. Ammo is incredibly cheap while medical supplies are incredibly expensive in comparison.

Finally, as with all S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games, and especially this one, the bugs. There are a lot of them, but it feels in this one they are especially annoying. Surprisingly the AI is more stable/less buggy than SoC, but that's not saying a lot. You'll still get plenty of braindead AI moments. On top of that, unlike SoC (as far as I've experienced), this one has several game-breaking glitches. Including one that happened so frequently in the very last mission, which is supposed to be this big climactic moment, I was forced to use a glitch/exploit to cheese it, as not only was it near unbeatable otherwise, it was extremely un-fun. It tries so hard to be the "good" ending final battle from SoC, but is much more tedious, way less dramatic, and incredibly poorly designed.

Did I mention poorly designed? Because this game screams it sometimes. Between way too many enemies with much too good gear, tactics and aim, unsatisfying and frustrating quests, terribly balanced economy (10 rounds of buckshot is 10 RU, and bandages are 200 RU, meaning a bandage is worth 200 rounds of buckshot) to an unskippable, unexploitable point where you are forced to lose all of your money and cannot get whatever you had on you back, this game feels like it was trying to be different and gritty, like the other two S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games, but lacks the atmosphere, the writing, and the design that make the other two so special. There is a reason this is a bit of a black sheep among the trilogy, and the reason I'd recommend playing the other two first before trying this, since there is almost nothing this does better than either SoC or CoP.

Ngl, in anticipation of S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2, playing the initial games in chronological order just hits different 🔥

STALKER: Clear Sky, the second installment in the acclaimed STALKER series developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World, is a masterclass in immersive, atmospheric gaming. Set in the irradiated wastelands surrounding the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Clear Sky offers a hauntingly beautiful yet perilous landscape filled with anomalies, mutants, and rival factions vying for control. As a seasoned stalker, you're thrust into this unforgiving world, tasked with navigating its dangers while uncovering the secrets buried within the Zone. In this comprehensive review, we delve into every aspect of Clear Sky, from its gameplay mechanics to its atmospheric design, to reveal why it stands as one of the best games ever made. Clear Sky's gameplay is a delicate balance of survival, exploration, and tactical combat. As a stalker, you'll scavenge for supplies, trade with fellow wanderers, and undertake missions for various factions, each with their own agendas. The Zone itself is a character in its own right, constantly testing your skills with deadly anomalies, radiation hotspots, and unpredictable weather patterns. The game's dynamic AI ensures that every encounter feels tense and unpredictable, whether you're facing off against mutant creatures or engaging in firefights with rival factions. The RPG elements, including faction reputation, weapon upgrades, and artifact hunting, add depth to the experience, allowing for multiple playstyles and strategies. Clear Sky excels in creating a palpable atmosphere that immerses players in its post-apocalyptic world. The haunting beauty of the Zone is captured through stunning environmental design, from overgrown forests and crumbling buildings to eerie abandoned facilities. Atmospheric effects such as ambient sounds, dynamic lighting, and weather patterns further enhance the sense of immersion, while the day-night cycle adds a layer of tension as darkness brings increased dangers. The game's narrative, delivered through environmental storytelling and encounters with NPCs, adds depth to the world, hinting at the mysteries hidden within the Zone and the struggles of its inhabitants. Despite being released over a decade ago, Clear Sky's graphics hold up remarkably well, thanks to its attention to detail and art direction. The game's engine allows for impressive draw distances, detailed textures, and realistic lighting effects, immersing players in its desolate landscapes. The sound design is equally impressive, with ambient noises, creature cries, and gunfire adding to the tension and atmosphere. The musical score, composed by MoozE, perfectly complements the game's mood, shifting between haunting melodies and adrenaline-pumping tracks during intense moments. Clear Sky offers significant replay value thanks to its non-linear structure and multiple endings. The choices you make throughout the game impact the outcome of the story and your relationships with various factions, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different paths. Additionally, the game's modding community has created a wealth of user-generated content, including new quests, weapons, and graphical enhancements, further extending its longevity.

In conclusion, STALKER: Clear Sky stands as a testament to the power of immersive storytelling and atmospheric design in gaming. Its compelling gameplay, haunting atmosphere, and attention to detail combine to create an experience that is both challenging and unforgettable. Whether you're exploring the irradiated wastelands, engaging in tense firefights, or unraveling the mysteries of the Zone, Clear Sky keeps you captivated from start to finish. With its rich gameplay mechanics, atmospheric world-building, and lasting appeal, Clear Sky cements its place as one of the best games ever made, a timeless classic that continues to enthrall players to this day.