S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing shooter game with horror and science fiction themes. It was developed by GSC Game World and was released on February 11, 2010. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

The events of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat unfold shortly after the end of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. Having discovered about the open path to the Zone center, the government decides to hold a large-scale military "Fairway" operation aimed to take the CNPP under control. According to the operation's plan, the first military group is to conduct an air scouting of the territory to map …

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat screenshot

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,566 reviews

story570 positive mentions

stability192 negative mentions

story
2,009 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
67%
5%
The story of "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat" is generally regarded as less compelling than its predecessor, "Shadow of Chernobyl," with a more straightforward plot centered around a military investigation into crashed helicopters. While the main storyline is often described as simple and somewhat mundane, the game compensates with a wealth of engaging side quests that enrich the lore and provide meaningful choices that can affect the game's ending. Overall, players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and character interactions, even if the central narrative lacks the depth and intrigue of earlier entries in the series.
- “The game starts with a simple but intriguing backstory and drops you directly into the zone to begin hours of often panic-inducing exploration, fighting, investigation, and dying.”
- “The story is also the most fleshed out in this game, which lends the game a completely different tone in that you actually feel like you're interacting with fellow stalkers when you help them out, do fetch quests for them, keep them alive in escort missions, and so on.”
- “The main story is also great, though not as intriguing as the mystery of Chernobyl from the first game.”
- “The story, however, is a bit of a mess.”
- “It feels like the devs just made up the plot haphazardly, not thinking about the lore implications.”
- “The main story is quite short, say 8 hours if you ignore side quests.”
atmosphere
1,066 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
35%
1%
The atmosphere in "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the eerie essence of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. While some players feel it doesn't quite match the oppressive atmosphere of its predecessor, "Shadow of Chernobyl," many agree that it still offers a rich, atmospheric experience enhanced by improved graphics and sound design. The game's ability to evoke tension and a sense of danger, particularly during nighttime exploration, solidifies its reputation as one of the most atmospheric games in the genre.
- “The atmosphere is absolutely uncanny too.”
- “The atmosphere emanating from the zone is still as dark and gloomy, thanks to the artistic direction that is magnificent, despite a fairly old engine.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is unmatched by any other game out there.”
- “Call of Pripyat lacks the personality in its gameplay and atmosphere.”
- “The only thing that got worse was the atmosphere, which is a lot more upbeat than Shadow of Chernobyl, which makes no sense given the gloomy setting and plot.”
- “While this game does not hold nearly as much atmosphere as Shadow of Chernobyl did, Call of Pripyat shines in its own way.”
gameplay
898 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
61%
4%
The gameplay in "Call of Pripyat" is widely regarded as the best in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, featuring refined mechanics, improved shooting, and a more engaging open-world experience compared to its predecessors. Players appreciate the balance of survival elements, such as managing resources and navigating a dangerous environment filled with mutants and anomalies, which adds depth to the gameplay. While some find the game dated and buggy, the overall consensus highlights its immersive atmosphere and rewarding gameplay loop, especially when enhanced with mods.
- “The gameplay offers challenging mechanics, rich storytelling, and immersive environments that will keep you engaged.”
- “Call of Pripyat is the culmination of the systems introduced in the previous two games - setting, gameplay mechanics, and introduces an extra layer of attention to detail and care that pushes it above its predecessors.”
- “The gameplay is solid, and builds upon the improvements in Clear Sky, though thankfully they dialed back the frequency and accuracy of hostile NPC grenade tosses.”
- “Many gameplay features in the first two games were either unfinished or outright non-functional.”
- “The gameplay is still janky and in some ways even unenjoyable.”
- “The gameplay felt polished, but unfortunately much of the chaotic, interesting spirit of the original installment is gone.”
graphics
589 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
63%
11%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are somewhat dated, they still hold up reasonably well for a title released in 2009. Some players appreciate the atmospheric visuals and improvements over previous entries in the series, while others criticize the graphics as being subpar compared to modern standards. However, the strong modding community offers various enhancements that can significantly improve the visual experience, making the game more enjoyable for those willing to tweak their settings.
- “The game features improved graphics, AI, and gunplay, creating a more realistic and challenging atmosphere.”
- “The visuals capture the eerie beauty of Pripyat, radiating that post-apocalyptic charm.”
- “The game’s graphics are beautiful and have stood the test of time.”
- “The graphics are very outdated; they don't look like the screenshots.”
- “The graphics are a bit dated, but the gameplay is good enough to make you forget about them.”
- “The graphics in this game are awful.”
stability
206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
Overall, the stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many agree that it is the least buggy installment in the series, with fewer crashes and glitches compared to its predecessors, some players still report encountering various bugs and performance issues. The general consensus is that while the game is playable and enjoyable, utilizing mods can significantly enhance stability and reduce glitches.
- “Just do it, still a good game to play to brush up ready for Stalker 2, playing through with no mods and still runs great, only had 1 crash, so happy with it.”
- “They managed to combine what was great in SOC and CS into one game that is practically bug-free and stable and, most importantly, fun, unlike the previous entry.”
- “Runs great at 144 fps max settings on 1660s, R5 3600, 16GB RAM.”
- “The only real complaint that I have about this game is that, even with a major bug fix mod installed, this game is extremely buggy.”
- “It's extremely buggy.”
- “One of the major downsides is its extremely buggy engine; you will encounter bugs after bugs and suffer crashes.”
music
109 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
60%
4%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and immersion, particularly during exploration and combat. The soundtrack features a blend of haunting melodies and dynamic combat music, although some players feel it lacks the memorable qualities of previous installments. Overall, while the music contributes significantly to the game's eerie ambiance, opinions vary on its effectiveness and impact on gameplay.
- “The ambiance is enhanced by a sublime soundtrack, very rock and orchestral during the fights, and calm and gloomy during the exploration phases.”
- “You hear ravens cawing in the distance, and wind in the trees, and the eerie soundtrack wailing quietly in your ears and the panting of the bloodsucker coming ever closer, its invisible form hunting you through the water, its only sign the ripples it leaves in its wake.”
- “The atmosphere and music are great, and definitely have the potential to immerse you in the world it's trying to convey.”
- “Dynamic music is back but it sucks, I really miss CS combat music, so just turn this one off.”
- “The music is there, the scariness is there... but the game just lacks something that its predecessors had.”
- “The game does not really have music.”
optimization
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
47%
38%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly on modern hardware. While some users noted that the game runs better than its predecessors and can be tweaked for improved performance, the underlying engine limitations, such as only utilizing a single CPU core, lead to frequent frame drops and instability. Overall, while the game offers a compelling experience, its optimization challenges can detract from enjoyment, especially for those with high expectations for performance.
- “Don't forget about the much better optimization compared to its predecessor, Clear Sky.”
- “One of the standout features of Call of Pripyat is its improved graphics and optimization compared to earlier games in the series.”
- “Cop is the best optimized game of the lot too, so your computer shouldn't have too much trouble running it.”
- “Due to the performance issues of the game on newer tech/operating systems, I cannot recommend this game.”
- “Sadly, I encountered many performance problems mainly due to the fact that the engine this game runs on is still 32-bit and refuses to use the proper amount of resources it needs to run well.”
- “The only downside this game has is that it runs on a single thread on a single core, so the game stutters on almost all computers unless they have a very strong single-core/thread performance.”
replayability
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
4%
The game boasts high replayability, largely due to its open-ended nature, multiple quest solutions, and significant modding support that enhances gameplay and adds new content. Players appreciate the variety of choices that affect outcomes and endings, making each playthrough unique. While some users note a desire for a singular memorable experience, the abundance of mods and side quests ensures that many find themselves returning for more.
- “Also there's a ton of replay value as pretty much every quest can be accomplished in more ways than one, each having different consequences.”
- “The game is a masterpiece of atmosphere, gameplay, and graphics, and offers a lot of replay value and immersion.”
- “The huge amount of quality mods available for this game give it endless replay value.”
- “Not much replay value.”
- “I don't find much replay value in this game, and to me, it is my least favorite of the series.”
- “Decent to low replayability though (not because it's bad, but because you want to have only one big and strong cherished memory of this game).”
humor
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is characterized by quirky characters, witty dialogue, and a mix of intentional and unintentional comedic moments, such as glitches and poor voice acting. Players appreciate the dark, melancholic atmosphere that contrasts with the humor, often finding joy in the absurdity of situations and character interactions. While some moments may fall flat, the overall comedic tone, especially with references to "cheeki breeki" and humorous accents, adds a unique charm to the experience.
- “The game also features a lot of humor and personality, with quirky characters, witty dialogue, and easter eggs.”
- “Amazing atmosphere: gritty, realistic and dark, but has an element of melancholy humor to it.”
- “Not to mention there are some hilarious glitches in the game that will throw you into a laughing fit.”
- “Another unfunny meme.”
grinding
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
3%
92%
Reviews on grinding in the game highlight a mixed experience; while some players find the grinding tedious and time-consuming, others appreciate the streamlined gear-farming and the engaging side missions that enhance immersion. Many note that although grinding can feel excessive, it often leads to rewarding gameplay and exploration, with some players enjoying the challenge of resource collection despite its repetitive nature. Overall, the grinding aspect varies significantly in perception, with some finding it a chore and others seeing it as an integral part of the game's appeal.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You feel the need to scavenge, but it's not tedious.”
- “I felt myself investing more into the side stories and grinding than paying attention to the story.”
- “Constantly needing to walk from location to location gets incredibly tedious after a while.”
- “It can feel a little grindy mostly because of the time it takes to get anywhere and the amount of things you can carry affects your speed so much that you need to find the Hercules drug to bring back lots of loot.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
10%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a mix of intense fear, joy, and nostalgia, with players expressing deep connections to the story and characters, particularly during pivotal moments like the endings. While some found the main narrative lacking in emotional depth, others experienced profound feelings, including tears of joy and fear, especially in the haunting atmosphere of Pripyat. Overall, the game delivers a compelling emotional journey, enhanced by gameplay that evokes tension and attachment to the characters and their struggles.
- “I was crying when I got the happy ending with Vano and Kardan. Very emotional ending, very cool gameplay, 11/10.”
- “This game is an emotional experience.”
- “I personally cried at the end of Cop when Degtarew became a legend and helped the stalkers out. I was so deep in the story I cried like a little baby.”
- “Rather boring story.”
- “For all the good gameplay elements it has, like the shooting mechanics, bullet ballistics, and good AI, the game loses some points on its buggy and unoptimized engine. Make hard saves every few missions because you might lose hours of progress. The boring storyline and a general lack of endgame content make you not want to play the game after finishing the main quests.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The monetization aspect of the game is characterized by the inclusion of ads, which some players appreciate for enhancing gameplay, particularly for aiming mechanics. However, there is a mixed sentiment regarding the overall value, with some players feeling that the game's quality and experience are compromised by the reliance on advertisements, contrasting it with the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes. Overall, while ads are seen as beneficial by some, they also highlight a broader concern about the balance between monetization and player enjoyment.
- “I put on a few mods to update the graphics; if only modern games were as good as this. No microtransactions, no loot boxes, just pure amazing gameplay with some of the best atmosphere ever.”
- “10-15 bucks for the average 2-hour piece of crap movie or 60 for games that spent twice as much on advertisement than programming, counting 'grind' as lies of 100 playthroughs that leave you feeling worked more than entertained.”
- “Ads are a must for accurate shots.”
- “If the game looked better, and had more advertisement.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
Reviews indicate that while the gun-play and character design are well-executed, there is a notable lack of character development compared to earlier installments, leaving players wanting more depth and progression in the characters' arcs.
- “The character development from the first two games made me want more.”
- “The gunplay and the character design also hold up fairly well and do not feel too dated.”
- “Where is the character development?”
- “The other reason was the character development from the first two games made me want more.”

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79%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

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15h Median play time

136h Average play time

15h Main story

32h Completionist

5-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 33 analyzed playthroughs

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is a open world role playing shooter game with horror and science fiction themes.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and others.

The main story can be completed in around 15 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 32 hours to finish. On average players spend around 136 hours playing S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat was released on February 11, 2010.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat was developed by GSC Game World.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include 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. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Metro 2033 Redux, Metro Exodus and others.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

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