S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 27,091 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • gameplay
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Game Cover
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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is a horror open-world game with single-player and multiplayer modes, offering a stunning story, diverse gameplay, and a sensational soundtrack. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic Zone near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, filled with dangerous mutants, valuable artifacts, and various weapons. Despite being very grinding, buggy, and emotionally intense, the game boasts good graphics, wonderful mechanics, and high replayability, inviting you to uncover its Truth.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 27,091 reviews
story1,644 positive mentions
stability854 negative mentions
  • story5,281 mentions

    The story of "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl" is often described as intriguing and atmospheric, drawing players into a post-apocalyptic world filled with mystery and danger. While the main narrative follows the amnesiac protagonist, known as the Marked One, on a quest to uncover his identity and confront a figure named Strelok, many players find the storytelling to be somewhat disjointed and reliant on environmental cues rather than direct exposition. Side quests are frequently criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth, but the overall lore and setting are praised for their richness, making the game a compelling experience for those who appreciate exploration and atmospheric storytelling.

    • “Stalker has a way of drawing you in with its atmosphere, the richness of its world, and the engaging storyline, even for me, someone who has been playing the stalker series for almost 10 years... if for some reason you still haven't had the chance to play this game, I highly recommend it, you definitely won't regret it!”
    • “The story is interesting, not a fan of the side quests since most of them are just protecting one area, and some fetch quests.”
    • “The story is amazing, the combat is very good for 2007, and no player home makes you really think of what you should be carrying, basically play the stalker games, they are worth your time and money.”
    • “All in all, it's not worth it in this day and age, I would have saved a lot of grief just watching a 'the story of stalker' on YouTube or something.”
    • “The story felt weightless, with no real meaning.”
    • “The story is a bit weak, it mostly serves as a guiding thread – a tool to show off the zone to the player.”
  • atmosphere3,862 mentions

    The atmosphere in "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl" is widely praised as one of its strongest features, characterized by a haunting, immersive, and oppressive environment that effectively captures the desolation of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Players frequently highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of dread and tension through its sound design, weather effects, and the eerie presence of mutants and anomalies, making exploration both captivating and terrifying. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and dated graphics, the overall atmospheric experience remains unparalleled, drawing players back for its unique blend of horror, survival, and storytelling.

    • “I can say that the gloomy, mysterious atmosphere and rich content compared to the games of the time it was released are the most important elements that make the game attractive.”
    • “The atmosphere is simply unparalleled—every eerie sound and shadowy corner adds to the sense of tension and mystery.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, sense of mystery and story are incredible.”
    • “Its really, really, reeaaalllyyyy annoying to the point where it breaks the atmosphere and immersion.”
    • “While the horror aspects may be the weakest part and the story is more of an excuse to have the player move from one area to the next, the bleak and sorrowful atmosphere of a post-Soviet Ukraine are represented beautifully.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and scary but there isn't any jumpscare and Stalker isn't a 'horror' game.”
  • gameplay2,514 mentions

    The gameplay of "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl" is a mix of immersive exploration, survival mechanics, and tactical combat, set in a richly atmospheric post-apocalyptic world. While many players appreciate its unique mechanics and engaging narrative, the game is often criticized for its dated graphics, clunky controls, and frustrating shooting mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. Mods are frequently recommended to enhance gameplay and fix bugs, making it more accessible and enjoyable for newcomers.

    • “But anyway... it's insanely immersive, one of the best atmospheres (even if you're not Slavic, music and scenery most likely will be something else, especially in underground labs), highly enjoyable gameplay with my favorite part being how much your experience matters, you can optimize your completion so well, targeting most of the game content, and not rushing towards the final mission.”
    • “The game's non-linear gameplay, coupled with its vast open world and challenging survival mechanics, offers countless hours of replayability.”
    • “The gameplay is excellent, the story is good enough to motivate you to finish it and the atmosphere is astonishing.”
    • “The atmosphere in the game is awesome, though it's just the gunplay, the map/PDA/missions, and the main gameplay that ruins the rest of the game.”
    • “Immersive atmosphere and an interesting storyline only held back by dated gameplay systems.”
    • “The experience is hampered by the tedium of the gameplay and endless crashes.”
  • graphics1,866 mentions

    The graphics of "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl," released in 2007, are generally considered dated but still acceptable for its time, with many players noting that they contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere. While some reviews highlight the game's unique aesthetic and atmospheric design, others point out that the visuals can be jarring compared to modern standards. The modding community has created numerous enhancements, such as the "Complete" mod, which significantly improves graphics and fixes bugs, allowing players to enjoy a more polished experience.

    • “Amazing atmosphere and aesthetics.”
    • “The visuals and ambiance elevate the overall atmosphere to the next level.”
    • “For a game that came out in 2007, it has really good graphics.”
    • “It has outdated graphics, pinched mechanics, and some bugs.”
    • “The graphics are bad in comparison to modern games, but this one has a crazy atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are terrible, the combat is clunky and the game at times feels fundamentally broken.”
  • stability884 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly in the vanilla version. While some find the bugs charming or humorous, others view them as frustrating and game-breaking, often recommending mods like the Zone Reclamation Project to enhance stability and fix issues. Overall, players suggest that while the game can be a buggy mess, it offers a unique and immersive experience that is worth navigating for those willing to deal with its technical shortcomings.

    • “Dope game, my settings just a tad low but still runs great.”
    • “Game is not that buggy like some people say.”
    • “Nice mix between RPG/post-apocalyptic/survival horror, interesting missions, good storyline, and runs great in Linux.”
    • “Then there's the bugs... most people find charm in the buggy nature of the game, but for me, they can be just annoying: enemies shooting through walls, monsters spawning when you load the game, not being able to interact with story NPCs because they are bug-locked into combat with nothing, etc... it just becomes a slog trying to wade your way through the game a lot of times.”
    • “A major issue with the game is it can be pretty buggy.”
    • “The game's buggy as all hell and the headbob makes me sick, and the ZRC has options to fix all of my issues and more.”
  • music384 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the immersive atmosphere, with ambient sounds and haunting melodies that reflect the desolate setting of Chernobyl. Players particularly enjoy the guitar songs performed by NPCs around campfires, which add a personal touch to the experience. While some feel the soundtrack could benefit from more variety, the overall consensus is that the music effectively contributes to the game's eerie and captivating ambiance.

    • “The atmosphere, music, sense of mystery and story are incredible.”
    • “The soundtrack blends perfectly to convey the haunting beauty of the zone, whether it's the game's own menu music or even the ambiance of fellow stalkers playing the guitar around a campfire.”
    • “Apart from the exciting gunplay and terrifying enemies, what stands out most in Stalker is its incredible ambience which paired with its masterfully made soundtrack gives as a result what probably is the most immersive game out there.”
    • “Other than that, I actually felt like the zone music kind of took me out of the immersion and I was close to turning it off.”
    • “Just listening to the opening music gives me PTSD.”
    • “The only proper songs are in the menu and guitars that stalkers will play in-game.”
  • humor268 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with players finding amusement in quirky character interactions, absurd bugs, and the darkly humorous atmosphere. Many reviews highlight the hilarity of NPC dialogue, particularly the memorable lines from bandits, as well as the amusing glitches that add a layer of charm to the gameplay. Overall, the humor is seen as a unique aspect that enhances the experience, despite the game's bleak setting and challenging mechanics.

    • “It's bleak, creepy, oppressive (even a bit dated), and the world seems so alive, even if the NPCs act funny at times.”
    • “I found it humorous that the bandit gopniks were wearing Adidas and shooting at me while screaming cheeki breeki.”
    • “There's nothing more comfy than sitting around in a camp surrounded by a bonfire with your fellow stalkers, hearing the hilarious conversations in Russian and playing guitar songs.”
    • “Insert unfunny meme.”
    • “Like actually buggy, not funny haha buggy but game design and progression breaking buggy.”
    • “A few but very funny bugs.”
  • replayability208 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, primarily due to its multiple endings and non-linear gameplay, which encourages players to explore different paths and make varied choices. The vibrant modding community further enhances this aspect, offering countless modifications that can significantly alter the gameplay experience and extend playtime. However, some players note that without mods, the replay value may be limited, as certain choices can lead to similar outcomes across playthroughs.

    • “The game's non-linear gameplay, coupled with its vast open world and challenging survival mechanics, offers countless hours of replayability.”
    • “The game's non-linear structure and multiple endings provide replayability and encourage players to explore different paths and factions, adding depth and variety to the narrative experience.”
    • “The mods released for this game can completely change the experience and make it feel like you're playing the game for the first time again, and mods like ZOA, AMK, and LURK can extend the replayability to ridiculous levels, into the range of multiple thousand hours.”
    • “The lack of any meaningful choices to make (specifically in reference to factions) makes it so that there is honestly little replayability in this game, as every playthrough will more or less play out the same way, and despite how many endings there are, almost every ending can be achieved in a single playthrough if you really go out of your way to do so and know what to do.”
    • “Single player hurts its replayability.”
    • “Replayability is iffy; there are multiple endings (which are actually determined by what you do in the game, instead of a choice at the end of the game), but I think honestly playing different mods is really the only way to get some solid replay value out of this title.”
  • optimization170 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent crashes, stuttering, and inconsistent performance, particularly on modern hardware. While some users found success running the game smoothly on low-end PCs or Linux without mods, the general consensus is that the base game is poorly optimized and requires community mods, such as the Zone Reclamation Project, to enhance stability and performance. Overall, while the game has potential, its outdated engine and technical issues significantly hinder the experience.

    • “Performance-wise, I had no issues, especially running on Linux without any mods; I just installed and pressed play.”
    • “Given its age, it's now easy to run on low-spec hardware with no performance issues and still looks pretty good.”
    • “Incredibly well done environments, good and balanced combat system, lovely ambience, music and sound effects, very intriguing concept and story, and very well optimized.”
    • “That being said, the only anomaly you will experience is your fully capable modern PC crashing every 20 minutes because this fossil of a game is poorly optimized.”
    • “It is the worst optimized piece of garbage that I have ever played.”
    • “Back then it was so horribly buggy and unoptimized at launch, that even while playing on the lowest settings it still chugged at 15 fps and the load times were god-awful.”
  • grinding166 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming due to slow movement, backtracking, and the need to manage inventory weight. While some appreciate the challenge and immersion it brings, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to repetitive gameplay and a sense of frustration. Mods like the Zone Reclamation Project are recommended to alleviate some of the tedium, but the lack of fast travel and the grind for better gear can still make the experience feel like a slog.

    • “Isn't tedious at all and very tense at times - remember that you press L to turn on your flashlight.”
    • “End game basically just felt like a tedious slog compared to what came before as you go through areas fighting the soldier (and snipers) and later even helicopter as a timer counts down.”
    • “It's overall very tedious and time consuming to get certain things done in the game while others are lightning fast.”
    • “I was really disappointed because after a while playing Chernobyl seemed less like playing and more like tedious and annoying work.”
  • emotional86 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its powerful storytelling, atmospheric soundtracks, and the sense of dread and despair it evokes in players. Many reviewers express feelings of nostalgia, helplessness, and emotional attachment, with some describing the experience as an emotional rollercoaster that can lead to tears. However, there are mixed opinions on the emotional payoff of side missions and the overall connection to the player, indicating that while the game can be deeply moving, it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “Such an interesting story, the mysteries of the dangerous but beautiful zone, with the plot twists of the protagonist's identity, mixed with the emotional soundtracks, like 'Dirge for the Planet', makes this game the best FPS single-player experience, beating Half-Life 2 and others from the same category in the 2000s tremendously. Can't wait to play the sequel!”
    • “It's heartbreaking because the Pripyat and Chernobyl sections have detailed recreations of the real locations that look fantastic, and are incredibly atmospheric, but there's just nothing to do except run through them tossing grenades.”
    • “Playing the game is like an emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “I don't like Fallout open world RPGs. I love Metro 2033, but Stalker has a bad, boring story and weird gameplay. Also, you must save the game to not lose progress. I lost to some electric tunnel, and the game didn't auto-save. I hate saving manually.”
    • “R was just some old game that crashes all the time and has a boring story, but that changed very quickly.”
    • “- rather boring story”
  • monetization30 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players criticizing it as a cash grab due to high-priced preorders and exclusive content, while others appreciate the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, labeling it as a refreshing change in the current gaming landscape. Despite the presence of ads, players noted that the game does not employ a pay-to-win model, which is seen as a positive aspect. Overall, the monetization approach has sparked debate, highlighting both concerns and commendations.

    • “Pay to win: no (no DLC, no loot boxes, no microtransactions).”
    • “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.”
    • “It's sad that Stalker 2 is a massive cash grab with absurdly priced preorder bundles, preorder exclusive story content, devs that wanted to add NFTs to the game, and a scrapped Russian voiceover the devs removed even after selling preorders for over a year under the pretense that there would be a Russian dub.”
    • “No DLC, not even microtransactions. What is this?”
    • “They are literally putting up ads in which they say they donate sale money to the Ukrainian military.”
  • character development12 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with no intricate skill trees or direct character progression; instead, players experience development through equipment changes. While the basic presentation of characters is considered good and believable, the overall potential for deeper character exploration is hindered by repetitive environments and quests. The game does offer a rich narrative backdrop that hints at various themes, suggesting untapped potential for character growth.

    • “This game offers so much depth with the story, character development, and game structure.”
    • “It's an interesting setting since there's so much potential for it, as the zone draws all kinds of people to it, leading to almost infinite potential for character development. It has potential for interesting science fiction, mystery, horror, political themes, and who knows what else.”
    • “There's no in-depth character development, but at least the basic presentation of characters is good and believable.”
    • “There's no in-depth character development but at least the basic presentation of characters is good and believable.”
    • “Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl is quite gripping when you first begin the game, but grows stale with gray, similar environments, lack of character development, no AI to speak of, and unlimited fetch and assassination quests.”
    • “And even though it doesn't feature direct skills or character development, you basically do that with the equipment you constantly find and change throughout your journey.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
87hAverage play time
15hMain story
43hCompletionist
5-32hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 90 analyzed playthroughs

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