S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Prypiat - Enhanced Edition

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, particularly its connection to the Soviet theme, which many feel is integral to the experience. Enhancements like new skyboxes and improved visuals have been noted as significant boosts, although some players express concern over censorship that they believe undermines the game's lore and overall atmosphere. Despite some dated visuals, the core atmosphere remains gripping and continues to resonate with fans.

The game's optimization has received largely negative feedback, with many players noting significant performance issues, including stuttering and lower frame rates compared to the original release. While some appreciate the addition of quality-of-life features like a FOV slider and improved lighting, these enhancements do not compensate for the overall lack of optimization, leading to a blurry visual experience and dissatisfaction with the game's performance on modern hardware.

The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising the enhancements such as improved graphics, new content, and the integration of mechanics from later games, while others criticize it for feeling inconsistent, with issues like floaty controls and cumbersome movement. Despite some dated visuals, the overall atmosphere and engagement level remain strong for many players.

The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many users reporting significant bugs and visual glitches, particularly with distant graphics. While some players noted that it runs smoothly at max settings without stutters or freezes, others found it to be more buggy than the original version. Overall, the remaster appears to have stability issues that detract from the experience, despite some improvements in graphics and quality of life features.

The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with users criticizing the combat music as "horrendous" and out of place, suggesting that players disable the "dynamic music" setting for a more immersive experience. While the combat music detracts from the overall atmosphere, players note that turning it off does not eliminate all music from the game, preserving the intended soundscape.

The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with users labeling it a cash grab that prioritizes profit over quality. Complaints include intrusive ads, the removal of original voice acting, and changes made for political reasons, all contributing to a perception of the game as a disappointing and poorly executed remake. Many reviewers recommend sticking to the original games instead.

Users express frustration with the emotional impact of the game's visuals, feeling that incomplete updates detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the presence of censorship related to Russia and the USSR contributes to a sense of disconnection and discomfort, overshadowing any nostalgic feelings for previous titles in the series.

The humor in the game has been criticized for its perceived attempts at revisionism, particularly with the removal of culturally significant elements like a Russian cartoon tiger and voiceovers, which some players find ironically amusing. This has led to accusations of xenophobia from fans, who view these changes as misguided and laughable. Overall, the humor appears to stem more from the controversy surrounding these decisions than from intentional comedic content.

The story is praised for its engaging plot that encourages exploration, but players express frustration with the language settings, noting the mix of English, Russian, and Ukrainian can be overwhelming and detracts from the experience. Additionally, some players report difficulties in progressing through missions, which impacts their overall enjoyment of the narrative.