The Media Critics

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is back with a new game that serves as a prequel (though has no real connection to) the previous gave, the Shadow of Chernobyl. This new game, Clear Sky, has some reported minor problems, but looking beyond the bugs makes this game a very solid one in graphics, gameplay, and game-design. Clear Sky is different from the Shadow of Chernobyl in that it employs a Mercenaries-like factions system. Though as the main character you work for one of these “factions”, you can interact with a number of the other factions in a “helping-one-means-pissing-off-another” type of game. The gameplay itself is very enjoyable and seems to pull from a large number of genres. Though a first person shooters, it has a Resident Evil-like feel, in an Alone In The Dark-survival horror type of way. I haven’t had a chance to enjoy it online yet, though the gameplay makes me believe it will be a great game. It is worth it to pick up or rent, but if a patch is released to fix certain bugs and you enjoyed Shadow of Chernobyl, look to pick up Clear Sky.