It’s time for half two of the S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy evaluation, and I’m beginning to perceive a bit extra in regards to the franchise, after initially coming in as a newcomer.
Enjoying Clear Sky signifies that it is smart as to why the upcoming Coronary heart of Chornobyl can also be known as S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R. 2. These video games included within the trilogy are supposed to be thought of as one entry, with a singular story informed all through. Clear Sky is definitely a prequel to Shadow of Chornobyl, main as much as the occasions in that sport.
The title Clear Sky is said to a faction inside the Zone. In contrast to lots of the different factions there, their curiosity lies in understanding and researching the Zone. After all, they nonetheless carry weapons – as is a necessity on the market – however their intentions differ from many others who roam the Zone.
This time round you play as Scar, who survives a phenomenon often called an Emission. Usually, these would kill anybody caught in them, so Scar surviving it’s intriguing, not less than for Clear Sky. After then surviving one other Emission while on a mission for Clear Sky, it’s assumed that Scar has some kind of innate potential to outlive anomalies out within the Zone. Nevertheless, he can not take too many Emissions as they’re slowly destroying his nervous system. That seems to be the one draw back.
Scar is then requested to analyze why these Emissions maintain taking place, and it’s believed it has one thing to do with the Chernobyl Nuclear Energy Plant on the centre of the Zone. You recognize, the massive plant that precipitated the Zone to exist within the first place. No large deal. Apparently there’s a group of Stalkers who’re trying to succeed in the centre of the Zone and have gotten additional than anybody else has earlier than; these Emissions are a response to that. Scar is tasked with discovering – and stopping – them.
Issues begin to piece along with Shadow of Chornobyl if you meet Sidorovich who tells you the names of the Stalkers you’re looking down: Doc, Fang, Ghost and at last, Strelok. Names you’ll be accustomed to coming straight from the primary sport.
Instantly, S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky looks like placing on a pair of slippers, coming straight from Shadow of Chornobyl, albeit with just a few new options. Improved graphics, a greater map (although nonetheless not nice) and a extra concise UI are noticeable from the off. Lighting seems to be higher this time as nicely, with shadows from campfires trying much more sensible. Auto purpose additionally seems to be working as anticipated too, and I used to be made to look fairly adept at pulling off a headshot with it. That is in stark distinction to Shadow of Chornobyl the place I used to be fortunate if I used to be capable of land a physique shot. That doesn’t make issues a lot simpler although; these video games had been initially designed for PC FPS gamers, and utilizing a controller provides an extra layer of problem to an already difficult sport.
Clear Sky does additionally endure the identical points because the earlier sport too. Particularly, an absence of an Xbox Sequence X|S model – due later this yr – and it did crash on me a few instances as nicely. Additionally, it looks like loading instances listed below are slower. Why that is, I’m not certain, as you’re largely enjoying on the identical map as the primary sport, with solely minor adjustments.
What’s new for S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky is faction wars, and you’re launched to this new mechanic on the very starting. Throughout your preliminary moments with Clear Sky, you’re requested to go to a number of places and wipe out the bandits that reside inside. A display screen will present you reside updates as to how your actions have an effect on the skirmish and improve/lower your standings with factions as you progress. It’s not precisely groundbreaking, however to see your actions dynamically have an effect on your social standings is fairly cool.
Additional enhancements come within the type of customisation of weapons and armour, together with the power to restore gear. Anomalies are as soon as once more current and are actually tougher to detect, that means your bolts develop into much more essential. The artifacts they now produce spawn inside them nevertheless, that means you’re far much less prone to have a group of them after just a few hours.
Apart from that, and some new additions to the map, S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky feels extra like an extension to the primary sport, slightly than a separate entity. Barely shorter, however nonetheless simply as tense throughout firefights and lots of different moments that may flare up immediately. You’re by no means actually secure within the Zone.
Very like Twin Peaks: Fireplace Stroll with Me, S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky is a prequel to the principle occasion, however not one it’s best to sort out first. The primary sport means that you can get your toes beneath the desk, getting comparatively comfy. S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky then provides you the world to discover, and while it’s important to understanding “the larger image”, it does so with out actually breaking the mould.
S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky ought to be seen as an growth slightly than a full prequel, however it’s one which followers will take pleasure in nonetheless.
