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

[zelghadis]

I don't remember anything... Somehow I ended up in this god-forsaken Zone, wounded, at the edge of death. The only things I know is that they call me The Marked One because of tatoo "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." on my forearm. And that i must kill Strelok...

When I first woke up the thing that hit me the most was how ugly all things around me was. The textures were glitching, shadows going crazy, some walls were invisible - I guess it's because my life have been rendered on modern high-end computer my creators never dreamed of. At first I was thinking that I'm gonna walk around a bit, check things out to make a report for my group and then end my pointless existence by clicking mighty "Uninstall" button. How much was I wrong...

After seeing all my surroundings, how deep they were, how magnificent the world creation was, after feeling the climate I had no choice. I was very pleased to find out that many brothers and sisters felt the same way and created unbelieveable amount of enhancments called "mods". They not only fixed all the problems but enhanced quality of my sight (or, as you may call it graphics) so much, that many developers of modern titles could learn from them. So I decided to give my life one more try...

The world I found myself into is not for everyone. It's very dark and unforgiving. The accident in Chernobyl nuclear reactor was just a begining. The enviroment started to change - at the beginning just a little bit, but when military closed whole area we all knew something was going on. When they moved in heavy equipment and started shooting civilians on sight - well, then we were sure...

The Zone became very dangerous place, but also a place where a man brave enough can earn unbelieveable money. The nuclear explosion created not only dangers - like mutated animals and other-world-like anomalies, but also things we started to call Artifacts. These artifacts hold inhumane power - they can bend reality - stop bullets, enhance ones speed, vitality or endurance and it's just a beginning. They're worth unimaginable value on black market - so it's no wonder that there are people, gamblers with nothing to loose, that are willing to risk everything, even their lifes, for just one shot of making it - sneaking in the night with mutants on one side, anomalies on other and military chopper above yuor head - to find a rtreasure that will make it all worth. They hunt us, they hate us, they think we're the worst kind of scavengers - but they cannot stop us. We're called The Stalkers. And we roam in the Shadow of Chernobyl.

At first my journey seemed easy - it's not so hard to scavenge equipment - everything: weapon, armor, food, medicaments - from dead body. And believe me - Zone is full of bodies. Then you find out that life is not a freaking fairy tale - even on easiest difficulties - one good shot and you're dead. Even the greatest armor can be damaged and eventually destroyed, even the best gun can jam in the worst moment imagineable. And if you make one wrong step - there's no saving for you. Even the most common anomaly can kill you in a matter of seconds... And uncommon ones? Well - if you find yourself in an uncommon one you'll wish you were never born. And all these things aren't even introduction to the nightmare you're gonna see...

I still don't know if they are real, or is it just me going crazy. I just know they are not casual mutants. Heck! Such a things shouldn't even exist! When I first encountered them - I barely made it out alive. Even now when I'm experienced Stalker they still terrify me to the deepest depths of my soul... They doesn't look like humans nor animals nor mutants. They're different... If you look at them you'll start feeling dizzy - like you've just drank whole bottle of vodka, if they notice you... if they notice you you're probably dead already - you cannot run from them, they will always find you, you barely can fight them - they can put some unimaginable shit into your head - horryfying visions, grotesque illusions - you will see your bullets going straight through them making them no harm! And you know what's the worst part? They're not even close to the most horrifying things you may find in the zone... But these... these are too terrible for even me to talk about...

So if you're desperate enough to join me as a brother or sister - I won't stop you. Like I said - we're all desperate gamblers, so who am I to judge you? Just another lost soul. But keep one thing in mind - being a Stalker is not an easy job. You will suffer, you will be terrified, this job turns even the biggest machos into little crying girls. But if you're good enough - you won't regret it. There's only a little of jobs in a gaming history that can be as satisfying as becoming a True S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

[Chauncey Gardener]

I really enjoyed your review, if playing through this game is only half as fun as readying this then count me in! Still haven't gotten to this but I will def. move it up on my list!

[zelghadis]

do it! it's totally worth it :> just research mods b4 :>

[1000mg_Ginseng]

Nice review! Question Zelghadis.... did you mod and still play through Steam? or did you have to play NON-Steam after modding? Any names of particular mods that you liked (widescreen? better textures? etc). Thanks

[zelghadis]

I modded and played through Steam :>
The MUST-GET addon is STALKER Complete 2009 (2012) - http://www.moddb.com/mods/stalker-complete-2009 - it makes this game almost perfect! Other mods I used were mainly bugfixes for glitches that occured on my system, so I guess it will differ :> But Complete mod is a must! :>