S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of
Chernobyl was a long time coming. After several years in development and
countless delays, the title hit the shelves in March of last year, and, though
its release was marred with a number of bugs, it also received some well-earned
praise for its tense, atmospheric, and non-linear gameplay. Generally, the same
can be said of its prequel “S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Clear Skies.” While not a
masterpiece, its new and refined gameplay mechanics, as well as improved
graphics offer another immersive, if buggy, foray into the world known as the
Zone. If you enjoyed the first installment, you’ll be good to go with the newest
addition to the franchise.
Clear Skies takes place one
year prior to the events in the first title, and you play a hired gun charged
with escorting a small group of scientists on an apparent research expedition.
Unfortunately things get ugly and a particularly nasty anomaly wipes out most of
your group, leaving you as the sole survivor. The game begins when you wake up
in the titular faction’s camp, having been found unconscious after the anomaly
subsided. Now that you’re back on your feet again, you’ve got some work to do
before you fully understand what happened and why you were able to survive the
event when others were not.
If you played the first
title, you’ll be at home with Clear Skies. However, there are some new features
this time around, like the introduction of faction wars and a new weapon upgrade
system. First things first. As before, there are several factions you’ll
encounter throughout your adventures in the Zone, but this time around you can
play a larger part in the ongoing struggle for control of the Zone. For
instance, you may be asked to help a small band from one faction to hit a camp
belonging to a rival group. Successfully doing so will not only get you further
into the good graces of those you’re assisting, but it also affords you better
prices at faction merchants and provides access to guides who offer fast travel
to pre-determined locations. This feature is well-implemented and adds
additional variety to an already robust gaming experience. At times you may be
taking a handful of enemies at a tiny camp in a remote area and at others there
may be a sizable contingent at a well-fortified outpost. A new interface has
been created that indicates both your standing with various factions, as well as
each faction’s level of control.
Another new feature is the
weapon upgrade system, which allows you to improve certain parameters of your
weapons, like accuracy, damage, range etc. You will have to visit friendly
weapon mechanics and shell over some of your hard-earned currency in order to
get the upgrades, but the system works well and is a much welcomed addition.
In an interesting and
sometimes problematic move, GSC has decided to make artifacts invisible this
time around. In order to locate them, you will have to use a detector. There are
several detectors available, some more advanced than others. When you equip a
basic detector, it will appear in your hand and give aural cues as you near an
artifact. This change does add some adventure and difficulty to finding
artifacts but it can also make doing so more frustrating, especially when there
are multiple anomalies near a single artifact and you find yourself being torn
shreds just as you’re closing in on the object.
The core gameplay remains
that same as that found in S.T.A.L.K.E.R., but this time around the Zone is
teeming with more enemies, both human and mutated, which makes moving through
the Zone both more challenging and dangerous. This also makes the use of fast
travel guides all the more tempting when you’re less interested in random
firefights. Unlike before, however, enemies can use grenades and they often do
take advantage of opportunities to do so. This definitely ups the ante in
firefights, but it can get frustrating when you’re suddenly blown to bits by a
grenade that you didn’t know had been flung your way. More realistic? Yes. More
fun? It’s debatable. This means that Clear Skies is no pushover; veterans and
rookies alike can expect a run for their money, especially in larger firefights.
Gamers who prefer a more casual experience are likely to be frustrated and
potentially put off by the higher challenge, but hardcore gamers looking for a
challenge will find this title easier to love. The Zone is still an open world,
however, one that rewards tactical foresight and stealth. Human enemies are
still crack shots, so running head-first into firefights with multiple enemies
is still not a good idea. Using the element of surprise, minimizing your
exposure to angles of fire and managing your ammo are crucial to surviving
encounters.
Another way in which GSC has
upped the ante is to further improve the X-Ray engine’s graphic prowess. The
first title offered pristine textures and a detailed, dilapidated world that
bordered on post-apocalyptic. With DX10 effects enabled, Clear Skies offers
incredible visuals, complete with volumetric rays from the sun and sharp
real-time shadows. At their best, the visuals are simply breathtaking, not only
because of the aforementioned effects but also because of the sheer level of
detailed in everything from the architecture to the weapons you’ll come across.
Be forewarned, though, you’ll need some serious hardware in order to run the
game on its higher settings.
Despite the new additions to
gameplay and improved visuals, Clear Skies is still a buggy release. Problems
with enemies sometimes not responding to your presence, problems with some of
the quests and crashes to desktop have been reported. To be fair, GSC is working
on patching the problems, but be prepared for some frustration while you wait
for future updates. Ultimately, the problems aren’t “gamebreakers,” but they mar
what could have been a classic title.
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Gameplay: 7.5
Buggy but generally
solid shooting action that, like its predecessor, rewards forethought and sound
tactics. The faction wars and weapon upgrade system are welcome and
well-implemented additions.
Graphics: 10
On higher settings,
the game is simply gorgeous. The visuals are on par with other current
heavyweights in the genre.
Sound: 9.0
A subdued but
eerily appropriate soundtrack plays its part well. Weapon effects are crisp and
varied.
Difficulty: Medium to
Hard
Enemies are
plentiful and sometimes frustratingly good shots. Combine this with their
ability to use grenades and you can have a serious challenge on your hands.
Concept: 8.0
Solid ideas are at
work in Clear Skies, though the bugs that surface can sometimes belie the team’s
laudable vision and ambition.
Overall: 7.5
Though its release
is marred by a number of bugs, Clear Skies is ultimately a worthy addition to
your library. Casual gamers will find it harder to enjoy than those who are more
hardcore, but there is still fun to be had in the hollowed-out, desolate locales
of the Zone for those with the patience and a penchant for challenging gameplay.
