Which s.t.a.l.k.e.r game to play?

jimmy_lazers · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:27

I've never played any of em. Which one should I try first? Are they all good?

Goldfingers · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:28

Does it take a genuis to work out it's best to start with the first of a series?

Can assure you chernobyl is an awesome game though, make sure you pick up the complete mod.

jimmy_lazers · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:30

Perhaps a genius might note that the first game may be inferior to the others? I wouldn't suggest anyone play HL1 these days.

jimmy_lazers · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:32

Goldfingers said:
Can assure you chernobyl is an awesome game though, make sure you pick up the complete mod.

But is it awesome cuz you remember it is awesome or awesome because it is still awesome? Awe is subjective!

bushmins · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:36

I would start at the start and work your way through, but make sure you use the 2009 complete mod for SoC.

andicole0 · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:38

Yes, play all three they are well worth it.

Andi.

Alex74 · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:38

Start with Shadow of Chernobyl + 2009 complete. Brilliant game

Oizu · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:40

The first (SOC) is still good, made better with the complete 09 mod, personally i'd then skip to the msot recent, wasn't impressed by clear sky

neoboy · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:47

jimmy_lazers said:
Perhaps a genius might note that the first game may be inferior to the others? I wouldn't suggest anyone play HL1 these days.

Yeah but there's not that much time between the games in the series. Making points aside, just start with the first one, it's still as good as the others just make sure you slap the complete mod on it before you do.

altich88 · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:51

Hmm might have to check out this complete mod, bought SOC a while ago. Does the mod work with the steam version of the game?

jimmy_lazers · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:51

Alright I will then. Thanks everyone.

IT Troll · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:52

Or you could play them chronologically:

CS
SOC
COP

Although, I think CS is generally regarded as the weakest of the three.

Goldfingers · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:54

jimmy_lazers said:
But is it awesome cuz you remember it is awesome or awesome because it is still awesome? Awe is subjective!

I played it a couple of months ago. With the complete mod it looks, sounds and plays brilliantly.

Frapple · 25 Mar 2010 at 13:54

Just started playing SoC with Complete Mod 2009, very good so far. Played it on release and didn't think much of it, much better game now. Only thing that annoys me is the lack of animation on NPCs if they're already in an animation (i.e. if they crouch over after you've shot them, you can't tell if you've hit them again or not)

Got SoC and Clear Sky from Steam for a few quid at Christmas - bargain! Complete Mod for CS should be out soon IIRC.

Depending if (when) I complete SoC and CS I can get CoP for £15 on Steam due to owning them

Paul_cz · 25 Mar 2010 at 14:01

Call of Pripyat is the best of the three atmosphere/immersion/design wise, but the first one is excellent too. Clear Sky is weakest but still very good.
My rating would be
SoC 9
CS 8
CoP 10

CoP is the most immersive game I have ever played. Hunting bloodsuckers in swamps at night during storm = no other game comes close.

jimmy_lazers · 25 Mar 2010 at 14:02

Frapple said:
J I can get CoP for £15 on Steam due to owning them

Apart from the steam deals, Steam prices are awful. CoP is £13 on amazon and doesn't clog up the internetz pipes.

neoboy · 25 Mar 2010 at 14:05

Can get CE of COP on GAME for £12.95 too.

FoxEye · 25 Mar 2010 at 14:08

jimmy_lazers said:
Apart from the steam deals, Steam prices are awful. CoP is £13 on amazon and doesn't clog up the internetz pipes.

Aren't the steam versions a PITA to mod as well?

Anyway, if I just have time to play one Stalker game, I take it CoP would be the one?

Evilsod · 25 Mar 2010 at 14:10

jimmy_lazers said:
Perhaps a genius might note that the first game may be inferior to the others? I wouldn't suggest anyone play HL1 these days.

Sorry but thats a ridiculous comment. Half Life 1 is just as timeless as Half Life 2. The graphics may be dated but the gameplay is still top notch.

jimmy_lazers · 25 Mar 2010 at 14:41

Evilsod said:
Sorry but thats a ridiculous comment. Half Life 1 is just as timeless as Half Life 2. The graphics may be dated but the gameplay is still top notch.

Your perception of the reality of its quality is tainted by you having played near its release date. Have you never look back at childhood cartoons/songs/girlfriends and thought they were not as good as you remember.?

Half-life one is undoubtedly a classic but it's outmoded! I agree the graphics probably have heavily influenced my attempts at a replay but it's not just that. Super awesome 'cinematic' moments just aren't there. And I expect em now.