S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky

Starting at $1.45Buy now

"S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky" is a first-person shooter survival horror game set in an alternate reality. Players take on the role of a mercenary in the Zone, an area containing anomalies and deadly enemies after a second nuclear disaster. The game features open-world exploration, base building, and intense combat, with a focus on survival and tactics. Clear Sky is a prequel to the original game, "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,004 reviews

story350 positive mentions

stability401 negative mentions

The game has a fantastic atmosphere, immersing players in the haunting Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
The introduction of weapon upgrades and repairs adds depth to gameplay, allowing for customization and strategy.
The faction wars system, while buggy, provides an interesting dynamic and sense of involvement in the world.

The game is riddled with bugs and glitches, making it frustrating to play without mods.
The gunplay is inconsistent, with poor accuracy and frequent weapon jams, leading to a frustrating combat experience.
The story feels disjointed and the ending is lackluster, failing to provide a satisfying conclusion.

story
1,640 mentions
21 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The story of "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky" serves as a prequel to "Shadow of Chernobyl," focusing on the character Scar as he attempts to track down Strelok amidst the chaos of the Zone. While some players appreciate the lore and world-building, many criticize the narrative for being linear, predictable, and filled with bugs that disrupt mission progression. Overall, the story is seen as less engaging compared to its predecessor, with a mix of interesting elements overshadowed by frustrating gameplay mechanics and a lack of depth in character development.
- “The only real saving grace this game has to me is the lore and story behind it.”
- “The story is interesting and worth following.”
- “The overall story to this game as well as the entire series is kind of spectacular and really never gets old, the side missions make sense and can almost entirely be skipped if you just want to get on with things, and the vibes, oh the vibes, they are immaculate.”
- “Scar finally tracks his quarry down after a lot of back-and-forth, survives a godawful penultimate level and a disgraceful final boss fight, for the whole quest to have been pointless.”
- “The story is so irrelevant that it makes me wonder why it's part of the trilogy.”
- “The story is really meh, Scar isn't a standout or convincing character and the story is simply a copy of Shadow of Chernobyl or quite literally chasing Shadow of Chernobyl, not bad not better than the others in the series.”
gameplay
864 mentions
23 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant frustrations stemming from mechanics like the bleeding system and enemy grenade spam, which detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the introduction of new features such as weapon upgrades and faction wars, others feel these additions are poorly implemented and lead to a more tedious gameplay loop compared to its predecessor, "Shadow of Chernobyl." Overall, the game is seen as a step down in terms of gameplay quality, plagued by bugs and unbalanced mechanics, yet it retains some engaging elements that may appeal to dedicated fans of the series.
- “Clear Sky's gameplay is a delicate balance of survival, exploration, and tactical combat.”
- “Its compelling gameplay, haunting atmosphere, and attention to detail combine to create an experience that is both challenging and unforgettable.”
- “With its rich gameplay mechanics, atmospheric world-building, and lasting appeal, Clear Sky cements its place as one of the best games ever made, a timeless classic that continues to enthrall players to this day.”
- “Every single mechanic in this is somehow downgraded from its predecessor, and was made to be incredibly irritating for absolutely no reason.”
- “The bleed mechanic in this game can and did suck away all my enjoyment; you will bleed, you will run out of bandages, and everyone will make sure to charge you hundreds for one bandage that will not stop your bleeding.”
- “The gameplay itself is a worse version of Shadow of Chernobyl with mechanics from Call of Pripyat, with exploration and side content feeling like procedurally generated Ubisoft stuff.”
atmosphere
499 mentions
59 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Stalker: Clear Sky" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the bleakness of the Chernobyl exclusion zone. While many players appreciate the game's atmospheric sound design, dynamic weather, and detailed environments, some feel it lacks the intense, oppressive atmosphere of its predecessor, "Shadow of Chernobyl." Overall, "Clear Sky" is recognized for its unique atmosphere, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to other entries in the series.
- “The graphics and atmosphere shine, immersing players in a bleak, radioactive world brimming with danger.”
- “Clear Sky excels in creating a palpable atmosphere that immerses players in its post-apocalyptic world.”
- “The atmosphere is still superb but the combat is so awful on veteran mode.”
- “While the original immersed players in a haunting world full of horror and mystery, Clear Sky feels soulless, lacking the intense atmosphere and mutant encounters that defined its predecessor.”
- “The atmosphere doesn't feel as oppressive, and there are too many people around, so you don't feel as alone and helpless as in the first game.”
- “The faction war system, while interesting in concept, shatters the dingy post-apocalyptic vibe and atmosphere.”
graphics
416 mentions
31 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Clear Sky" represent a significant improvement over its predecessor, "Shadow of Chernobyl," showcasing enhanced lighting, textures, and overall visual fidelity that still hold up reasonably well for a game released in 2008. While some players note that the graphics can feel dated compared to modern titles, the atmospheric design and art style effectively immerse players in the game's bleak, post-apocalyptic world. However, performance issues and bugs can detract from the experience, leading many to recommend using mods to enhance graphics and stability.
- “The graphics and atmosphere shine, immersing players in a bleak, radioactive world brimming with danger.”
- “Despite being released over a decade ago, Clear Sky's graphics hold up remarkably well, thanks to its attention to detail and art direction.”
- “The graphics are a big step up compared to Shadow of Chernobyl; it actually looks quite good at times.”
- “Graphically, they feel dated for the time they came out in.”
- “The graphics are a bit old, but the gameplay is still fresh.”
- “The graphics spaz out on every level, the NPCs' textures do not load, the map floor seems to disappear in places sending the player into a 5 second fall before the game freezes.”
stability
409 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The stability of "Clear Sky" is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and game-breaking issues that significantly hinder the gameplay experience. Many reviewers recommend using community mods, such as the Sky Reclamation Project, to mitigate these problems, as the base game is often described as a "buggy mess." While some players find enjoyment in the game despite its flaws, the consensus is that its instability makes it difficult to recommend without significant modifications.
- “Game looks great for its age and is mostly bug free.”
- “I had a bug-free experience playing with the complete mod.”
- “So far, it's been an amazingly good game and almost completely bug free.”
- “The final mission is an extremely buggy mess where the final boss won't move, takes no damage, or instantly dies for no reason.”
- “The faction war system is a great concept, but it is incredibly buggy to the point where you can get softlocked at an objective with the only solution being restarting the playthrough from the very beginning.”
- “This game is a buggy broken mess of a game.”
music
132 mentions
30 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a polarizing aspect, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and haunting melodies that enhance the immersive experience, particularly during exploration and faction interactions. However, the dynamic combat music has received criticism for being jarring and sometimes failing to fit the game's tone, leading some players to recommend turning it off. Overall, while the soundtrack features standout tracks, especially from bandit camps, its execution can be inconsistent, affecting the overall immersion.
- “The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, perfectly complementing the eerie silence of the zone.”
- “The musical score, composed by Mooze, perfectly complements the game's mood, shifting between haunting melodies and adrenaline-pumping tracks during intense moments.”
- “Hearing the music kick in when you engage a firefight immediately makes the battle feel so much more important and intense!”
- “Clear Sky just has this really loud, annoying action music that never dies even after the action has ended five minutes ago.”
- “Dynamic music is garbage and doesn't turn off once the fight is over...”
- “The music is terrible and often breaks if you turn on the option to make it dynamic for the action bits.”
optimization
83 mentions
11 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many users reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and inconsistent frame rates, particularly on higher settings. While some patches and mods have improved the experience, the game remains poorly optimized compared to its predecessors, often requiring additional modifications to run smoothly. Overall, players find the optimization to be a major drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
- “Performance: framerate is good and consistent 60fps.”
- “It is well optimized, I think, and now, in 2023, even older APUs can play it.”
- “I highly recommend his optimized shaders for all the Stalker games.”
- “The optimization for this game is horrible; I can't even run it in DirectX 10 at a playable framerate.”
- “The game is full of bugs and has really bad optimization, which makes it not possible to enjoy the game.”
- “This game is unoptimized as hell; Stalker: SoC and CoP are better than this.”
grinding
79 mentions
1 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and frustrating, with players often feeling overwhelmed by the repetitive nature of quests and combat. Many reviews highlight the excessive time required to gather resources and money, only to face setbacks such as losing hard-earned items or money due to game mechanics. While some appreciate the depth added by faction systems, the overall sentiment is that the grinding detracts significantly from the enjoyment of the game.
- “I'm a massive hoarder, so don't tell me I wasn't grinding, because damn, I was always teetering around, unable to move with encumbrance to sell my loot.”
- “The factions system is interesting but can feel tedious.”
- “In the end, none of my choices mattered, none of my 'grinding' for great loot mattered, and the ending was a disappointment.”
- “The whole game is just SOC with turf wars, which is just tedious in its own right.”
humor
72 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in "Clear Sky" is characterized by a mix of unintentional comedy, quirky NPC interactions, and absurd glitches that create memorable and hilarious moments throughout the game. Players find amusement in the game's janky mechanics, bizarre AI behavior, and the dark humor embedded in its post-apocalyptic setting, making it a source of both frustration and laughter. Overall, the game is seen as a comedic experience, with many players appreciating its unique charm despite its flaws.
- “It's a world where the unexpected becomes the norm, and where even the most carefully planned strategies can be thwarted by hilarious glitches and bizarre AI decisions.”
- “From witnessing NPCs hilariously glitching through walls to watching mutants engage in slapstick battles with each other, the game is filled with moments that will have you laughing out loud.”
- “The faction wars were interesting as well; it was hilarious to watch as two groups clashed in brutal battle, and I'd just stand off to the side as a neutral observer, maybe chuck a few hand grenades, then loot everyone after all the fighting stopped.”
- “Unfunny and cannot launch the game without share screen in windowed mode with 640x240 resolution on a problematic PC.”
- “In single player, it has a nice story like all others, but it's not funny enough compared to Shadow of Chernobyl or Call of Pripyat.”
replayability
23 mentions
30 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its dynamic faction wars, non-linear structure, and robust weapon modification system, allowing players to experience multiple playthroughs with different factions and strategies. While some reviews note a lack of variety in enemy encounters, the diverse roleplaying opportunities and mod support enhance the replay experience. However, a few users mention that the replay value is not as high as other titles in the series, with some describing it as mediocre.
- “Dynamic faction wars and a robust weapon modification system add depth and replayability.”
- “Clear Sky offers significant replay value thanks to its non-linear structure and multiple endings.”
- “The fact that the faction you choose becomes a major player in the story adds not only an incredible amount of fun roleplaying opportunities but also untold levels of replay value.”
- “Not much replay value.”
- “The replay value is mediocre overall, but for the budget price of 10€ and overall solid quality, I can definitely recommend buying for full price.”
- “The only downside is it doesn't have much replay value.”
monetization
19 mentions
11 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
84 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, which contrasts with many modern titles. However, there are criticisms regarding the game's perceived rushed development and cash grab nature, particularly in relation to the use of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. branding. Overall, while players enjoy the lack of intrusive monetization, concerns about the game's content and mechanics persist.
- “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 game with some of the best atmosphere ever.”
- “GSC squatted out a 'prequel' title that when looked at more closely is really just a rushed cash grab using Stalker branding to grab fans of the previous title.”
- “It was a last minute cash grab if you ask me, so short and limited.”
- “I saw an article say 'get Stalker 2 for free thanks to AMD' I knew instantly that was a lie, but it was an actual article from a gaming journal... just advertising AMD hardware coming with a copy of Stalker 2.”
emotional
9 mentions
44 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
56 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting a lack of depth and engagement in the storyline, which feels rushed and underdeveloped. While some moments are described as heartwarming, the overall narrative fails to resonate, leading to disappointment among players who expected a more compelling experience. The combination of clunky gameplay and technical issues further detracts from any potential emotional impact.
- “Certain plot elements felt rushed or underdeveloped, leaving me yearning for a more fleshed-out and emotionally engaging storyline.”
- “Heartwarming: local mercenary out-eats his 30th arterial bleed and fails to find bandages again.”
- “So apparent vodka not only heals emotional problems but radiation as well!”
- “Cop retains none of the interesting narrative bits of either SOC/CS, and has an otherwise pretty boring story with great gameplay, quests, and environments.”
- “I didn't like this because of the clunky gameplay, boring story, and bugs.”
- “Well... to not make a long and boring story short, I had to reload a lot to get past the first hours.”