Regardless of releasing only a yr after its predecessor, S.T.A.L.Okay.E.R.: Clear Sky makes important modifications to the system of GSC Sport World’s venerable sequence. There are tweaked visuals, improved capturing, and a few added methods crammed into this prequel. In consequence, it feels markedly completely different to Shadow of Chornobyl, however not all the time in a great way. The shift in focus to faction battle de-emphasises the persistent environment of dread that permeated the primary recreation.
You fill the irradiated boots of Scar, a Stalker with a mysterious situation that enables him to outlive the Zone’s emissions. Rescued from such an occasion by analysis group Clear Sky, he’s tasked with monitoring down a bunch of Stalkers as a way of reimbursement. These rogue mercenaries have designs on reaching the secrets and techniques on the centre of the Zone… and one in every of their quantity is our outdated pal Strelok.
This being a prequel, it takes place earlier than [REDACTED], so the established order within the Zone is essentially unchanged from the final recreation.
Clear Sky presents a considerably bland first impression with its opening part. A slog by way of The Nice Swamps, taking out faction outposts and studying the ropes of the brand new territory system, which is able to make up the majority of Scar’s focus outdoors of the primary story. The swamp isn’t a very participating setting and the elevated emphasis on gunfights sullies the tense exploration of the primary recreation’s opening hours.
A number of factions are at odds with Scar and Clear Sky, some even blocking passage to main areas throughout the map. Lowering hostile numbers by taking out their outposts, will web highly effective rewards that bolster your late-game setup.
Fortunately, you finally end up again within the Cordon, revisiting acquainted areas and opening up the map to allow the identical freedom provided by Shadow of Chornobyl. The primary story is much less intriguing this time round. Many of the predominant missions have you ever hopping between factions searching for Strelok and his buddies. The overarching plot is strikingly much like the Marked One’s journey. Scar spends extra trip within the open than his amnesiac predecessor, which impacts the horror component considerably. There are just a few underground excursions, although the primary main one doesn’t happen till many hours into the story. For individuals who choose to not be accosted by packs of mutants at midnight, this will likely be excellent news. Followers of mutated creatures lurking within the shadows will likely be left wanting.
Mechanically, Clear Sky is a shocking leap forward of Shadow of Chornobyl. Capturing, which was already stable, is tightened additional. Mercifully, armour may be upgraded and repaired and there at the moment are rather more gear set mixtures. That is additional complemented by an elevated emphasis on artefacts as a obligatory adjunct to your gear set. The important thing side that elevates this prequel above its forebear is the additional deal with stock customisation.
The marginally uneven center youngster of the trilogy nonetheless boasts glorious efficiency, myriad management choices and a crisp soundscape that shines on Change.