S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (PC Games, 2007)

Stalker has succeeded in creating what "is" a compilation of all video game options into 1 game. Since the game is based upon what is referred to as "THE ZONE" , it is based upon the Russian Military's efforts to protect the surrounding inhabitants from being contaminated by the unpredictable foreign environment that the Chernobyl incident created.

The game challenges you to take on the role of "The Marked One" , who was sent to kill Shrelok who controls the corruption within the zone itself. You fill the shoes of a man who must , not only live , but survive in the zone , since once you enter , you can't be permitted to leave on your own to contaminate other people.

Unlike alot of other "War Games" , Stalker has collected all of the features that exist in most FPS & RPG video games and rolled them into 1 , with the addition of extras such as radioactivity and electrical force field (anomalies) and such. Making this game stand alone amongst other traditionally styled "War Games".

Snapshots don't do this game justice , suggesting that it may be some sort of gools and goblins type of mastery with futuristic weapons that kill at will. With conventional weapons you are given a backpack and sent out into the zone to be challenged by it's countless features as what is equivalent to a soldier who must use his skills to survive and carry out his mission.

Stalker is extremely different in that you will experience the grass on the ground react to the speed of the existing wind which can change into sandstorm effects with rain and lightening included. When suddenly you are attacked by a pack of rogue mutated dogs who roam the zone looking for food to survive. All the while you had been navigating a route through the electrically charged forcefields that are called (anomalies) , avoiding them and being careful not to step into their paths. Yet , the dogs or mutated animals and cattle may cause you to retreat or react towards the electrical fields , depleting your strength and abilities to heal yourself with health packs you must collect along your way from enemies.

Also unlike most video games , the enemies you kill , or have been killed , do not disappear , they remain laying so that you can collect items from their backpacks , building your own personal equipment as you so choose. This creates a realistic atmosphere which would exist in what would be a nuclear disaster zone after a nuclear explosion. Gore is not included.

Overall the storyline is fantastic and realistic in every way. In fact , any damage you sustain is not only the same as damage in the game "Call Of Duty2" , where you breathe harder and move slower when hit by enemy fire and such , but you have several meters which show you the condition of your health so that you can decide which pieces of equipment you need to use from your backpack to regain full ability and stop your heavy breathing. Such as , bandages , foods , drinks or health packs , each having their own positive measured effects upon your health. You also have an "armour" meter which shows you the condition of your clothing or suit.

Since I have seemed to have "cracked the code" to running this game with only 512mb of memory feel free to message me about any problems you may be having running this game and I will help you out (free) from your wall plug in , to your game disk if I can , please send your system information along with your problem.

throttlerider1