STALCRAFT: X

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STALCRAFT: X is a multiplayer open world role playing shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by EXBO and was released on December 9, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Stalcraft: X" is a Science Fiction Open World game that offers both single-player and massively multiplayer experiences. Set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, it features a vast open world filled with mutants and anomalies. Players can choose to explore this dangerous universe alone or with up to two friends, promising unforgettable adventures.

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68%

Audience ScoreBased on 14,394 reviews

story617 positive mentions

grinding1.3k negative mentions

The game features an engaging and well-crafted story with a mix of main quests and side missions that provide depth and variety.
Players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and detailed environments, effectively capturing the eerie essence of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series.
The gameplay mechanics are praised for their engaging blend of survival and shooter elements, with satisfying gunplay and a smooth experience on average systems.

The game is heavily reliant on grinding, particularly in the late game, which many players find tedious and frustrating.
The monetization model has drawn significant criticism for being predatory and excessively focused on pay-to-win mechanics, overshadowing the gameplay experience.
Numerous players report severe bugs, glitches, and lag issues, particularly in the presence of cheaters, leading to a frustrating and often unplayable experience.

story
2,816 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
70%
8%
The story in "Stalcraft" is generally described as engaging and well-crafted, with a mix of main quests and side missions that provide depth and variety. However, many players express frustration with the quest design, particularly the repetitive fetch quests and the difficulty spikes in certain missions, which often require players to navigate hostile territories filled with enemy players and challenging NPCs. While the narrative elements and atmosphere are praised, the forced PvP and grindy nature of the game detract from the overall experience, leading some to recommend focusing on the main story and avoiding side quests.
- “The story so far is you're a newcomer that had a dream about a blue sphere which compelled you to enter the zone, but it turns out you aren't the only one and you're something called 'blessed' but they don't have a great reputation in the zone.”
- “The storyline is intriguing, with well-crafted side quests that provide more depth to the game's lore.”
- “The quests are well-designed and offer a good balance of challenge and reward, providing players with a chance to test their skills and make progress in the game.”
- “The quests are repetitive and just boring; go there, look at that, bring me that, etc.”
- “The entire main quest needs to be removed/reworked on account of being insufferably annoying and poorly designed.”
- “The main quest is the worst gaming experience in my life.”
grinding
1,293 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of "Stalcraft" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and frustrating, especially in the late game. While some enjoy the grind as a core part of the MMO experience, others criticize the game for its punishing mechanics, such as losing hard-earned resources to player kills or environmental hazards. Overall, the game is described as heavily reliant on grinding, which can detract from the enjoyment, particularly for those who prefer a more balanced gameplay experience.
- “Gives you the ability to work at your own pace and isn't too grindy for things like weapons.”
- “I like that the game isn't too grindy and paying real money doesn't make you overpowered.”
- “Overall the game is not grindy, however expect to have a plethora of random encounters that might impose challenges to your run.”
- “Late game takes a legit month of grinding to get a single piece of armor or weapon.”
- “This game was so fun at the beginning but after finishing the south story line and have gotten all red gear and forced to grind inflow or forge and dealing with being melted by players that have no life, I can safely say this game is so tedious and frustrating that it is no longer fun to play.”
- “The game is grindy, expected, but it hurts when AI enemies travel across the map to attack you or spawn as you finish or arrive at an open world task.”
gameplay
1,276 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
57%
9%
The gameplay of Stalcraft has received mixed reviews, with players praising its engaging mechanics and immersive atmosphere while criticizing its grind-heavy nature and frustrating PvP elements. Many players enjoy the blend of survival and shooter mechanics reminiscent of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, but express frustration over the lack of balance, pay-to-win elements, and repetitive quest design. Overall, while the game offers a solid foundation and potential for fun, it is marred by issues that can detract from the overall experience, particularly for new players.
- “Stalcraft x provides a unique blend of immersive survival mechanics, tactical combat, and, of course, a great story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
- “The gameplay loop is surprisingly satisfying because of the feel of the guns and the pacing of the game.”
- “The gameplay is smooth, the graphics are well-done, and the setting of the game is well done and immersive.”
- “Grindy as hell, main quest is shit, quest design is shit, gunplay is quite good and general gameplay is decent but otherwise?”
- “The game is designed to frustrate you at every turn no matter what you choose to do in an attempt to get you to spend money to try and extract some sort of enjoyment from its horrible gameplay philosophy.”
- “The gameplay loop is boring....all you do is run run run with really boring grinds to gather mats while people camp.”
graphics
769 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
47%
6%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a distinct "Minecraft" aesthetic that can be off-putting for some. While some appreciate the unique art style and find it charming, others criticize it as simplistic or reminiscent of older games, leading to a perception of lower quality. Overall, the graphics are described as decent for a free-to-play title, with some players acknowledging that despite the blocky visuals, the game offers an immersive experience and solid gameplay mechanics.
- “Nice graphics, optimized game and quite atmospheric.”
- “The graphics are actually nice; I enjoy all of it. Gunplay is actually insane, the map size to the whole concept I love it.”
- “The game has great graphics, it runs very smooth on my cheap computer, had a bit of an issue (for me) with initial loading time (after getting into the game, the environment and stuff) not too much of an issue.”
- “Graphics are weak, and the gameplay feels ten years old.”
- “The graphics aren't too impressive compared to today's modern shooters.”
- “The graphics are horrible even for a free game.”
atmosphere
372 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
36%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the eerie essence of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. Players appreciate the detailed environments, moody sound design, and the sense of danger that permeates the gameplay, although some express frustration with gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Despite its blocky graphics, the game successfully creates a rich, atmospheric world that resonates with fans of post-apocalyptic themes.
- “The world design is rich with atmosphere – moody lighting, eerie soundscapes, and just the right amount of weird.”
- “The atmosphere is frightening and the tension is palpably intense, just like playing on master difficulty in the base games.”
- “The game excels in atmosphere, creative quests, narrative, and mechanics.”
- “The atmosphere and world-building show promise, but the grind at the bar, the plague of hackers, and the heavy pay-to-win model completely outweigh any positives.”
- “At the very beginning of the game, they seem to attract with the atmosphere, a variety of weapons, but then all this disappears and everything becomes boring.”
- “I like it but the community kind of lacks social skills like no one uses voip, it makes for a boring and dead feeling atmosphere, especially when you're in a safezone surrounded by players asking for help with game-related questions.”
monetization
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
63%
30%
The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as predatory and excessively focused on pay-to-win mechanics, particularly through loot boxes and battle passes. While some users appreciate the free-to-play aspect and the availability of cosmetic items, the overwhelming presence of microtransactions and the perceived cash grab mentality of the developers have led to frustration and disappointment within the community. Overall, the monetization practices are seen as detrimental to the gameplay experience, overshadowing the game's potential.
- “The game is free to play and the in-game purchases are purely cosmetic, so no need to worry about pay-to-win scenarios.”
- “Overall it is a very enjoyable experience for free, as far as I can see not overly pay-to-win, just pay to progress 25% faster which is totally acceptable if this and skins are the only monetization.”
- “The monetization aspect is present, but it's implemented in a way that doesn't impede on the gameplay experience.”
- “It's a textbook example of how predatory monetization can ruin an otherwise promising experience.”
- “The monetization is out of control in this game; it's extremely pay-to-win, which is compounded by the fact that the matchmaking is so poorly tuned that if you equip a gun that's a higher tier, then put it away and leave it in your storage, you're going to be matched at that gun's level forever.”
- “The game had potential when it was a Minecraft mod, and now it's just another soulless cash grab from a morally bankrupt Russian dev team making money off a stolen IP.”
humor
127 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players finding amusement in quirky voice acting, absurd character designs, and the often chaotic interactions with both NPCs and other players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend humor with its post-apocalyptic setting, creating funny moments through unexpected gameplay scenarios and dialogue. However, the humor can also stem from frustrating experiences, such as bugs and player behavior, which some find entertaining despite their challenges.
- “The joke of the game is in its funny, pixelated form.”
- “Expect quirky characters, ridiculous weapons, and a dash of humor that will have you snorting energy drinks out of your nose.”
- “Funny dialogue, a good progression system, a unique sci-fi setting, good weapon and crafting systems, not p2w... what's not to love.”
- “Getting ganked, camped, and seal-clubbed all the time is just not funny.”
- “Hazbin Hotel is not funny.”
- “"Balance issue" - well, I agree with that, that's not funny.”
optimization
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
33%
9%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance and smooth gameplay on average systems, while others report significant lag and stuttering, particularly in crowded areas or when cheaters are present. Many users express frustration over the game's poor optimization for lower-end PCs, leading to performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while some players find the game well-optimized, others highlight the need for substantial improvements to accommodate a wider range of hardware.
- “Nice graphics, optimized game and quite atmospheric.”
- “Very good game with good optimization on my computer everything works as it should and without lags.”
- “I liked the game from the very beginning, the optimization and textures are excellent, with every play I want to play more and more.”
- “This game seems like it could be fun, but the UI is not optimized for my display at 5120x1440.”
- “The game is very unoptimized; my PC specs are RTX 4060, Ryzen 7 5700X, 32GB RAM, and I run Stalcraft on low graphics and get 100-140 FPS.”
- “Optimization is total crap...”
music
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
59%
7%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising the in-game radio and soundtrack for its engaging selection of Russian rock and punk, which enhances the atmosphere and immersion. However, some users criticize the music as repetitive or unappealing, particularly when it comes to the original compositions. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance, opinions vary widely on its quality and appeal.
- “The music, and ambiance.”
- “The soundtrack in the base radio is... immaculate.”
- “The music choices for the safe zones actually slap, and I am now listening to a lot of those outside of the game itself.”
- “The music in the game is also pretty bad, nothing notable about it unless you want to laugh at terrible Russian music.”
- “The music is god awful and the game just kind of feels wonky in general.”
- “Music: repetitive and has random notes that hurt your ears; they're just so out of place and disruptive that they get really annoying really fast.”
stability
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
1%
87%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting severe bugs, glitches, and lag issues, particularly in the presence of cheaters. Many users experienced game freezes, unresponsive quests, and AI problems that detracted from the overall gameplay experience. While some players noted that the game runs well on lower-end PCs, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game is plagued by instability, making it frustrating and often unplayable.
- “Great game, runs great on low-end PCs too.”
- “It's actually quite polished and bug-free despite looking like it might be jank at a glance.”
- “No technical issues whatsoever for me, runs great.”
- “Cheaters lag the entire server; you get massive stuttering lag issues around cheaters. When you play in a normal lobby, there are no lag or stuttering issues, but around cheaters, the game even freezes.”
- “The campaign is a buggy mess; you will find yourself softlocked in many story quests, especially any longer battle ones that you will then have to replay from the beginning.”
- “Game is still so buggy it's not even funny. I just spent 2 hours grinding the last bit of the main quest, only to get kicked back to the main menu after I died, and then the game force respawned my checkpoint all the way back to the bar... wasted 2 hours of my time due to a bug.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players expressing frustration over gameplay mechanics and design flaws, while others find joy in the community and nostalgic elements reminiscent of earlier titles. Many reviewers highlight the emotional highs and lows experienced during multiplayer interactions, from feelings of loneliness and victimization to moments of camaraderie and support within the community. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotions, from disappointment to nostalgia, reflecting the complex player experience.
- “I could sense a bit of inspiration from a couple of modern titles which I really liked and made me feel at home.”
- “It's sometimes difficult to imagine that over time, the community's passion and support can help some games such as this to evolve and attain such shape, and it's heartwarming.”
- “With the different map and new gameplay mechanics, this game made me feel how I felt when I first picked up the original Stalker trilogy, plus the fun of being multiplayer.”
- “Now it isn't a game; it's a generic, boring storyline in a PvE game where you can go PvP to waste people's time, and nothing more.”
replayability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The game offers significant replayability through diverse builds, weapons, and faction questlines, allowing players to explore different playstyles and story outcomes. While many users appreciate the variety of quests and atmospheric locations, some express concerns about repetitive missions and the game's current limitations in replay value. Overall, the RPG elements and well-crafted side quests contribute to a compelling experience, though some players remain skeptical about future updates enhancing replayability.
- “There's quite good replayability in trying different builds, weapons, and questlines with each faction.”
- “So much to do and great replayability, an incredible selection of quests and a vast variety of guns, melee weapons, armor, backpacks/containers, etc.”
- “The game also offers a good amount of replayability, as the RPG elements allow for character progression and skill customization.”
- “This game's tight, but it's got limited replayability at the moment.”
- “I don't want 'replayable' quests that are just the exact same mission over and over again.”
- “The game also has a lot of replayability, with different difficulty levels and various choices that affect the story outcome.”
character development
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the balance of combat, exploration, and resource management that enhances their characters. While some feel that development is primarily focused on side characters, others enjoy the personal growth experienced through gameplay challenges and decisions. Overall, the game provides an engaging environment for players to develop their characters alongside friends.
- “I liked the character development in this game; I think Stalker fans will like it.”
- “Cool game, there are interesting events, character development is done well, and there are players with your own level of equipment.”
- “The game offers a rich and engaging gameplay experience with a mix of combat, exploration, and character development.”
- “Character development is not difficult.”
- “People say character development only happens with side characters and the main character of novels, anime, movies, etc., but I feel like I myself am the side character developing as I gain fear and PTSD from wrong decisions that inconsequentially never got back to me. And if the consequences do come back to me, it's too rough.”
- “The gameplay isn't too stressful at the beginning and middle of character development because everyone is pretty equal in terms of time-to-kill.”