will i need to play the previous stalker games to enjoy this?

[Gamertime]

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[Deatheye]

No, but it would probably improve the experience.

[piet11111]

Need ? no but they are cult classics for a reason and often available for peanuts so i would highly recommend picking them up when they go on sale again.

[Painkiller]

Emphatically YES. If you want to see how the STALKER world came about. To feel the vibe of this classic series of games (cult classics for a reason!) you should play them.

[[GSC]Super_PropheT]

Originally posted by Gamertime:

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Hey! It's not a must, you will fully enjoy the S2 story without any knowledge of original trilogy. But there will be connections to it: characters, locations, story.

So to have a deeper understanding and some kind of an emotional connection with S2 story — I suggest you to play the original trilogy. But again, if you don't want to — there will be no problem at all.

[Bandy]

The STALKER series goes on sale here and other game delivery platforms (more often there...) for only a few dollars. They are well worth it while you wait.

But I'm going to really lower my expectations here, I do not think 2 will have the same impact on me (and others) as original series did. Predict there will be all sorts of compromises in the game play to dumb it down for the masses. I hope not, but time will tell.

[Serpiko82]

If OP is a total stranger to the Zone:
- Shadow of Ch*rnobil tells most of the main lore and the most meaningful events that brought the story so far;
- Clear Sky is a prequel whose events are mostly irrelevant to the main story, except perhaps for a few locations and characters that may or may not return;
- Call of Pripyat elaborates further the aftermath of SoC and introduces new characters that are likely to play a major role in Stalker 2, such as Strider.

[MaxxGold]

Originally posted by Gamertime:

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If you can play old games, then I would say give it a go, but if you are bothered playing dated games, then I would skip the old games and just look for a video or explanation of the story to date.

The old games were wonderful at the time they were released.

To me (my opinion) the original games are super dated now and the combat is like playing Minecraft. It's unplayable for me in this state. I would just wait for Stalker 2 in all its glory. That's just my opinion and If you feel different, give them a go.

[Gamertime]

Originally posted by MaxxGold:

Originally posted by Gamertime:

title

If you can play old games, then I would say give it a go, but if you are bothered playing dated games, then I would skip the old games and just look for a video or explanation of the story to date.

The old games were wonderful at the time they were released.

To me (my opinion) the original games are super dated now and the combat is like playing Minecraft. It's unplayable for me in this state. I would just wait for Stalker 2 in all its glory. That's just my opinion and If you feel different, give them a go.

more dated than fallout 3 and new vegas combat?

[Bandy]

Originally posted by Gamertime:

Originally posted by MaxxGold:

To me (my opinion) the original games are super dated now and the combat is like playing Minecraft. It's unplayable for me in this state. I would just wait for Stalker 2 in all its glory. That's just my opinion and If you feel different, give them a go.

more dated than fallout 3 and new vegas combat?

Absolutely disagree, original STALKER series can still be played and enjoyed, thousands of STALKER fans back this opinion up, and why everyone is at this forum.

Yes, some aspects of STALKER graphics are 'dated', hell, how old is the game? 2006??? Gawds, the pro whinging just sucks life...

But see past that and the original games have excellent gun play and AI. Play at hardest setting, use cover, expect to be headshot now and then unless playing smart.

[Minterfresh]

If you want the full experience play Shadow first. Don't need to play Sky unless you get really into it. If you just want to learn what to expect of 2, get Pripyat.