do i need to play the first one?

[Mermidion]

I never got into stalker back in the days, so i was wondering.
is this game a continuation of the first one and do i need to play it to understand this one.
or is this a complete new story where i can jump into without missing out on anything?

[Napoleon Solo]

Originally posted by Mermidion:

I never got into stalker back in the days, so i was wondering.
is this game a continuation of the first one and do i need to play it to understand this one.
or is this a complete new story where i can jump into without missing out on anything?

Not necessarily. Independent new story.
But there is still time before the release of Stalker 2, and now discounts on the original trilogy, very cheap
You can explore the universe

[piet11111]

You do not need to play the originals though it helps getting to know the established characters and locations.
Or you could watch a youtube video that explains all that while having a few cups of coffee.

[Cadmium]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1643320/discussions/0/4701287261345493338/

Originally posted by Belmont:

Gameplay wise, there's most likely nothing stopping you.

Lore wise? You'll miss some story beats, not know some of the returning characters, or understand the dynamics and inter-relations between the factions within the Zone. At the very least, it'd probably be a good idea to watch a summary video that explains what happened in the first three games, or read a small summary so you won't be entirely lost. You would probably still miss such things as Easter Eggs, but that has minimal effect on overall enjoyment of the game, provided the game is good of course.

[ImHelping]

Stalker is a series where you can honestly skip to the 3rd one, Pripyat, and be okay. (Lots of newcomers bounce off the first ones, modded first ones, try pripyat and then start replaying the ♥♥♥♥ out of the series). And pripyat has 99% self contained except old protag guy shows up at the last second for an escort mission.

More seriously? The Stalker 2 trailer tells you everything you need to know from before.

Step 1: So some dudes tried to tap into the collective consciousness.
Step 2: ????
Step 3: oops! Welcome to the zone.

They may skip step 4: "The wish granter is a big prank to lure people in to brainwash into loyal cultists... no wait it is a big prank to kill people for the bad end. But also the first one" because for pripyat to happen, the good end of stalker 1 has to happen. So no more fake wish granter. After you shoot mad scientists in tubes with an ak47.

[Mermidion]

Originally posted by ImHelping:

Stalker is a series where you can honestly skip to the 3rd one, Pripyat, and be okay. (Lots of newcomers bounce off the first ones, modded first ones, try pripyat and then start replaying the ♥♥♥♥ out of the series). And pripyat has 99% self contained except old protag guy shows up at the last second for an escort mission.

More seriously? The Stalker 2 trailer tells you everything you need to know from before.

Step 1: So some dudes tried to tap into the collective consciousness.
Step 2: ????
Step 3: oops! Welcome to the zone.

They may skip step 4: "The wish granter is a big prank to lure people in to brainwash into loyal cultists... no wait it is a big prank to kill people for the bad end. But also the first one" because for pripyat to happen, the good end of stalker 1 has to happen. So no more fake wish granter. After you shoot mad scientists in tubes with an ak47.

you are aware that your step 4 rant says absolutly nothing to me and i can only guess that you probably put some spoilers there with the stuff you mentioned, so i will choose to ignore it.