S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Review
System: PC
Dev: THQ
Pub: THQ
Release: March 20, 2007
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Mature
Review by Matthew Walker
Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best
The graphics are a bit dated, though not in the "this looks like a '90s game" kind of way, but with the advancements made in recent history to the graphic engines. The character models are a bit blocky and don't have the smoother edges we have grown more and more accustomed to, but this only pertains to a few of the enemies. It almost appears that more attention was paid to some of the characters and not others. The environments, on the other hand look, great. Thanks in large part to the lighting effects and claustrophobia atmosphere you will experience during the building and underground levels, of course extending the limitation the DX-9 help too. In fact, the environments add the eerie effect of a sci-fi horror movie.
For some unobvious reason, the requirements of the game to run on your computer hinder not only some of the graphics, but some of your controls as well. Since your controls are very similar to most every other FPS games, make sure that your computer meets the recommended requirements so you don't experience the lag in the controls.
The sounds of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. are quite enjoyable. The howls and shrieks of the mutants overtop the dreary, creepy Zone skies add to the already edge of your seat feel of the game. Even the weaponry sound effects provide a much-needed depth to the game. Even the occasional guitar rifts you will hear are welcomed to the arsenal of the sounds of the game. Regrettably, the voiceovers are not as inviting. Despite the fact that there appears to be several diverse voices in the game, they constantly overlap one another, you will have a hard time deciphering what they are actually saying, yet another flaw to the game that should have been tweaked before its release.
There are flaws to the game, then again this is why we love patches to fix some of our problems. After all, it is not a title to be avoided like a place lit up with nuclear radiation. With its definite attempts at advancing and crossing genres of video games, you might want to give S.TA.L.K.E.R. a chance just for this. However, if you are looking for the next amazing breakthrough title on the PC, you might want to pass. If you are a console gamer looking for a break from your console games, you might just want to wait and see if it'll be ported in the near future.
By
Matthew Walker
CCC Freelance Writer
Features:
The player travels over immense world of the Zone, its all locations joined into one global map. He can choose any route and will not be limited in his traversing the Zone. The player will be offered free exploration full of generated and scenario-imposed tasks, participation in the eerie events of a murky world. The player will become a stalker, a guy who earns money from shoveling embers out of infernal oven of Chernobyl Zone. Returning from the radioactivity-blazing Zone, he will sell anomalous formations to underground dealers and scientists in research camps on the Zone border. With the money procured, the player will purchase equipment, weapons and protective suits allowing him to reach previously inaccessible areas. This is a role-playing game without growing experience of your character, without changing characteristics and levels. We want the player to develop his real mastery, moreover Stalker is an FPS/RPG game and much depends on his ability to fight. Changing characteristics, levels and player's experience, to our mind, would destroy the realism we try to create. As far as the rest is concerned, this is almost a normal PRG game where players travel the Zone, collect artifacts, weapons, reveal anomalous zones, communicate and trade with NPCs etc.
We see A.I. in our game as a system of realistic character behaviour. Game characters live in a world the player can only drop into, they have their own joys and sorrows. We thoroughly work out artificial intelligence for the player never to feel artificiality of the happening. This principle basically refers to our approach in general, and not only to efforts on A.I.. We work out all the possible actions of the player and prepare natural reaction of characters to them. As character would react in life, so as he should react in the game. If the player attacks and kills one of the guards, the rest will go to seek hiding, radio their headquarters, and won't stand still, or what's worse, run out towards the player.
The Player's communication with the game characters will serve an essential part of the gameplay. By means of communication the player will find out important information, acquire tasks, trade or make deals to accomplish a task co-operatively. Apart from humans, the player will also be able to communicate with sapient mutant creatures. The game will be strongly influenced by communication and NPCs' attitude towards the player. For example, under a bad attitude, trader will refuse to trade or will charge an exorbitant price, and stalkers will open fire as soon as they recognise the player.
Trade will be realistic, as you are given a chance to purchase, exchange or sell everything: ammunition, equipment or artifacts. You can trade with the army, dealers, stalkers and scientists. To give you an idea how this will look in the game: the player comes across with a veteran stalker in the Zone, they greet each other, agree to remove weapons, then come closer to each other and start trading. They exchange phrases through a communication system. Soviet roubles will go in the game as the currency.
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Rating out of 5
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Rating Description
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2.9
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Graphics
Visuals could have been a little more depth. |
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3.0
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Control
The massive requirements of this game cause your controls to be a bit spotty. |
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3.1
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Music
/ Sound FX / Voice Acting
Most of the voiceovers were really good except when they started overlapping one another. |
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3.3
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Play
Value
There is a lot to this game so expect to play through a couple of times. |
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2.9
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Overall Rating -
Average
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown. |
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Media
