What is S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and why you should play it
If you are a fan of first-person shooters, survival horror, or post-apocalyptic settings, you might have heard of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., a series of video games developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World. But what exactly is S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and why should you play it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we explore the backstory, gameplay, features, and mods of this unique and immersive franchise.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a series of first-person survival horror games set in an alternate Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. stands for Scavengers, Trespassers, Adventurers, Loners, Killers, Explorers, and Robbers, which are the names given to the people who illegally enter the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a radioactive wasteland created by a nuclear disaster in 1986. However, in the world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., a second disaster occurred in 2006, which altered the physical laws and biological processes in the Zone, creating anomalies, artifacts, and mutants.
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The backstory and setting of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
The story of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is loosely based on the novel Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, and the film Stalker by Andrei Tarkovsky, which both depict a mysterious area where strange phenomena occur after an alien visitation. In S.T.A.L.K.E.R., however, the source of the anomalies is not extraterrestrial, but human-made.
According to the game's lore, after the real-life Chernobyl disaster in 1986, several secret laboratories were established in the Exclusion Zone by the Soviet Union to conduct experiments on psionic abilities and other paranormal phenomena. These experiments resulted in a second explosion in 2006, which caused a massive emission of energy that transformed the Zone into a dangerous and unpredictable place.
The Zone is divided into several regions, each with its own landmarks, hazards, factions, and secrets. Some of the locations are based on real places in Ukraine, such as Pripyat, Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Red Forest, Limansk, Yanov Station, Zaton, Jupiter Factory, and others. The Zone is also home to various types of anomalies, which are zones of distorted physics that can harm or kill anyone who enters them without proper protection or detection devices.
Anomalies also produce artifacts, which are objects with special properties that can be beneficial or harmful to their users. Artifacts are highly sought after by stalkers, who collect them for personal use or trade The Zone is also inhabited by various mutants, which are animals or humans that have been mutated by the radiation and the anomalies. Some of the mutants are based on real animals, such as dogs, boars, rats, crows, and bears, while others are more fantastical, such as bloodsuckers, snorks, controllers, poltergeists, and pseudogiants. Mutants are usually hostile to stalkers and other living beings, and can pose a serious threat to anyone who encounters them.
The gameplay and features of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
The gameplay of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a mix of first-person shooter, survival horror, and role-playing elements. The player can choose from different types of weapons, armor, equipment, and consumables to survive in the Zone. The player can also customize their character's skills, attributes, and reputation by completing quests, joining factions, and making choices that affect the game's story and outcome.
One of the most distinctive features of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is the A-Life system, which simulates the behavior and interactions of the Zone's inhabitants. The A-Life system creates dynamic events and scenarios that can change depending on the player's actions and the environment. For example, the player might encounter a group of friendly stalkers who are hunting for artifacts, a bandit ambush that is waiting for a victim, a military patrol that is searching for intruders, or a pack of mutants that is roaming for food. The A-Life system also affects the weather, the day-night cycle, the radiation levels, and the emissions.
Emissions are another unique feature of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. They are powerful bursts of energy that occur periodically in the Zone, and can kill anyone who is not in a safe shelter. Emissions also change the state of the Zone, creating new anomalies, artifacts, and mutants. The player has to find a safe place to hide before an emission occurs, or risk being killed by it.
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The main games in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series
There are four main games in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Each game has its own plot, characters, locations, and features.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
This is the first game in the series, released in 2007. It follows the story of an amnesiac stalker who calls himself The Marked One, who is hired by a mysterious trader named Sidorovich to kill another stalker named Strelok. Along the way, The Marked One discovers his true identity and his connection to Strelok, as well as the secrets behind the Zone and its origin.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
This is a prequel to Shadow of Chernobyl, released in 2008. It follows the story of a mercenary named Scar, who survives an emission and is recruited by a faction called Clear Sky, which studies the Zone's anomalies. Scar is tasked with finding and stopping Strelok, who is believed to be responsible for causing the emissions and destabilizing the Zone.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
This is a sequel to Shadow of Chernobyl, released in 2009. It follows the story of a Ukrainian military agent named Alexander Degtyarev, who is sent to investigate the failure of a secret operation called Fairway, which involved sending helicopters to explore the center of the Zone. Degtyarev has to find out what happened to the helicopters and their crews, as well as deal with the dangers and mysteries of the Zone.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
This is an upcoming game in the series, scheduled to be released in 2022. It will be a reboot of the franchise, with a new story, characters, locations, and features. It will follow the story of a new protagonist named Skif, who will explore the Zone and its secrets, as well as face new threats and challenges. The game will also feature improved graphics, physics, sound, and gameplay, as well as online multiplayer modes.
How to download and install S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC
If you are interested in playing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC, you will need to download and install them from official sources and platforms. You will also need to make sure that your PC meets the system requirements and compatibility for each game. Here are the steps to download and install S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC.
The official sources and platforms for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games
The official sources and platforms for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games are the following:
GSC Game World website: This is the official website of the developer of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games, where you can find information, news, updates, and media about the games. You can also pre-order S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl from this website.
Steam: This is a digital distribution platform where you can buy, download, and play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC. You can also access the Steam Workshop, where you can find and install mods for the games.
GOG.com: This is another digital distribution platform where you can buy, download, and play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC. You can also access the GOG Galaxy, where you can find and install mods for the games.
Epic Games Store: This is yet another digital distribution platform where you can buy, download, and play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC. You can also access the Epic Games Launcher, where you can find and install mods for the games.
Xbox Game Pass for PC: This is a subscription service where you can access and play a library of games on your PC, including S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl when it is released.
The system requirements and compatibility for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games
The system requirements and compatibility for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games vary depending on the game and the platform. Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements for each game on Steam:
Game
Minimum Requirements
Recommended Requirements
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
OS: Windows XP SP2 or newer
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 2200+
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Graphics: 128 MB DirectX 9 compatible card (GeForce 5700 or Radeon 9600)
Storage: 10 GB available space
OS: Windows XP SP2 or newer
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 or AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Memory: 1 GB RAM
Graphics: 256 MB DirectX 9 compatible card (GeForce 7900 or Radeon X1950)
Storage: 10 GB available space
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
OS: Windows XP SP2 or newer
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 2200+
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Graphics: 128 MB DirectX 8 compatible card (GeForce FX 5700 or Radeon 9600)
Storage: 10 GB available space
OS: Windows XP SP2 or newer
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom X3 8750+
Memory: 1 GB RAM
Graphics: 256 MB DirectX 9 compatible card (GeForce 8800 GT or Radeon HD3850)
Storage: 10 GB available space
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
OS: Windows XP SP2 or newer
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.2 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 2200+
Memory: 768 MB RAM
Graphics: 128 MB DirectX 9 compatible card (GeForce 5900 or Radeon 9600)
Storage: 6 GB available space
OS: Windows XP SP2 or newer
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 or AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics: 512 MB DirectX 9 compatible card (GeForce 9800 GTX or Radeon HD4850)
Storage: 6 GB available space
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
OS: Windows 10
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 1600X or Intel Core i5-7600K
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 580 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
Storage: 150 GB available space
OS: Windows 10
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or Intel Core i7-9700K
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
Storage: 150 GB available space
The steps to download and install S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC
The steps to download and install S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC are as follows:
Select the source and platform where you want to buy and download the game, such as Steam, GOG.com, Epic Games Store, or Xbox Game Pass for PC.
Create an account and log in to the platform, if you haven't already.
Search for the game you want to buy and download, such as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, or S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
Add the game to your cart and proceed to checkout. Follow the instructions to complete the payment and confirm the purchase.
Once the purchase is done, you can download and install the game on your PC. Depending on the platform, you might need to use a launcher or a client to access and play the game.
Enjoy playing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC!
How to enhance your S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience with mods
If you want to enhance your S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience with mods, you will need to know what are mods, why you should use them, and how to download and install them on your PC. Mods are modifications or additions that change or improve some aspects of the game, such as graphics, gameplay, content, features, and more. Mods can make the game more realistic, immersive, challenging, fun, or diverse.
What are mods and why you should use them
Mods are created by fans and enthusiasts who want to share their vision and creativity with other players. Mods can range from simple tweaks and fixes to complete overhauls and expansions. Some of the reasons why you should use mods are:
To improve the graphics and performance of the game, such as by adding high-resolution textures, lighting effects, weather systems, shadows, reflections, and more.
To enhance the gameplay and mechanics of the game, such as by adding new weapons, armor, items, equipment, enemies, quests, factions, locations, and more.
To fix the bugs and glitches of the game, such as by patching errors, crashes, compatibility issues, balance problems, and more.
To customize the game according to your preferences and style, such as by changing the user interface, sound effects, music, difficulty level , and more.
To explore new possibilities and scenarios in the game, such as by adding alternative endings, branching paths, new stories, characters, and more.
The best mods and modpacks for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games
There are thousands of mods and modpacks for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games, each with its own features, advantages, and disadvantages. Some of the best and most popular mods and modpacks for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games are:
Autumn Aurora 2: This is a mod for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl that improves the graphics, atmosphere, sound, and gameplay of the game. It adds new textures, models, effects, weather, music, weapons, items, and more. It also changes the story and the quests to make them more immersive and coherent.
Misery: This is a mod for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat that makes the game more realistic, challenging, and immersive. It adds new mechanics, such as hunger, thirst, sleep, radiation, injuries, diseases, and more. It also adds new factions, enemies, weapons, items, locations, quests, and more. It is designed for experienced and hardcore players who want a more authentic and difficult experience in the Zone.
Anomaly: This is a modpack for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat that combines the best features of several mods and adds new ones. It is based on the Call of Chernobyl mod, which expands the game world with all the locations from the previous games. It also adds new graphics, gameplay, content, features, and more. It is a standalone modpack that does not require the original game to play.
Radiophobia 2: This is a mod for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky that enhances the graphics, gameplay, content, and features of the game. It adds new textures, models, effects, weather, music, weapons , items, and more. It also changes the story and the quests to make them more immersive and coherent.
Dead Air: This is a mod for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat that makes the game more realistic, challenging, and immersive. It adds new mechanics, such as hunger, thirst, sleep, radiation, injuries, diseases, and more. It also adds new factions, enemies, weapons, items, locations, quests, and more. It is a standalone mod that does not require the original game to play.
How to download and install mods for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC
The steps to download and install mods for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC are as follows:
Select the mod or modpack that you want to download and install for your S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game. You can find them on various websites and platforms, such as Mod DB, Nexus Mods, Steam Workshop, GOG Galaxy, Epic Games Launcher, and others.
Download the mod or modpack file to your PC. Depending on the mod or modpack, you might need to unzip or extract the file to access its contents.
Locate the folder where your S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game is installed on your PC. Usually, it is in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common directory for Steam games, or in the C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games directory for GOG.com games.
Copy and paste the mod or modpack folder into the game folder. If the mod or modpack has an installer or an executable file, run it and follow the instructions to install it.
Launch your S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game and enjoy playing with mods!
Conclusion
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a series of first-person survival horror games that offer a unique and immersive experience in an alternate Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. You can download and install S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games on your PC from official sources and platforms, such as Steam, GOG.com, Epic Games Store, or Xbox Game Pass for PC. You can also enhance your S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience with mods that improve the graphics, gameplay, content, features, and more of the games. If you are looking for a challenging, realistic, and atmospheric adventure in the Zone, you should definitely play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games:
Q: Are S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games scary?
A: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games are survival horror games that can be scary for some players. The games feature dark and creepy environments, dangerous and unpredictable anomalies and mutants, tense and violent combat situations, and a constant sense of dread and danger. However, some players might find these aspects thrilling and exciting rather than scary.
Q: Are S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games open world?
A: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games are not fully open world games, but they have large and nonlinear maps that allow for exploration and freedom of choice. The player can travel between different regions of the Zone, each with its own landmarks, hazards, factions and secrets. The player can also influence the state of the Zone by completing quests, joining factions, and making choices that affect the game's story and outcome.
Q: Are S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games multiplayer?
A: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games have both single-player and multiplayer modes. The single-player mode is the main mode of the games, where the player can experience the story, the gameplay, and the features of the games. The multiplayer mode is a secondary mode of the games, where the player can compete or cooperate with other players in various modes, such as deathmatch, team deathmatch, artifact hunt, and capture the flag.
Q: Are S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games based on real events?
A: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games are based on a fictional scenario that is inspired by real events, such as the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, which caused a nuclear meltdown and a radioactive contamination in the area. However, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games also add fictional elements, such as a second disaster in 2006, which created anomalies, artifacts, and mutants in the Zone.
Q: Are S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games related to Metro games?
A: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games and Metro games are not directly related, but they have some similarities and connections. Both games are developed by Ukrainian studios that were founded by former members of GSC Game World. Both games are set in post-apocalyptic scenarios that involve nuclear disasters and radiation. Both games feature first-person shooter, survival horror, and role-playing elements. However, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games are set in an open-air environment, while Metro games are set in an underground environment.
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