The Zone: Stalker Stories
- June 15, 2023
- Illuminated Games
- 2251h median play time
Get on Steam"The Zone: Stalker Stories" is a narrative RPG with tactical card battles set in a world of mutants and anomalies. As a "mutant" with telekinetic powers, survival in the Zone requires careful deck-building, exploration, and completing side jobs. Experience unique stories, collect artifacts, and manage your expedition to maximize your chances of making it out alive.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features an interesting setting and excellent writing, drawing players into its post-apocalyptic world.
- The combination of visual novel elements with RPG mechanics and card combat creates a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
- The developers are responsive to feedback and frequently release updates, showing commitment to improving the game.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and crashes, making it frustrating to play at times.
- The tutorial is incomplete, leaving players confused about certain gameplay mechanics and card effects.
- The exploration graphics are simplistic and can feel clunky, detracting from the overall experience.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics, combining real-time exploration and turn-based card battles, reminiscent of titles like SteamWorld Quest. However, players note significant bugs and an incomplete tutorial that leaves some mechanics unclear. Overall, the game offers a more narrative-driven experience rather than an extensive progression system, appealing to those who prefer story over complexity.
“I played through the first quest (roughly an hour or so of gameplay) of a copy I, ahem, 'found' somewhere and was compelled to purchase the game to support the developer and a product that I am genuinely impressed by.”
“Its gameplay is similar to SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech in that you move an avatar around a map and engage in exploration events and card battles.”
“+ The main gameplay loop of moving your character around a map in real-time, investigating points of interest that you find with your psionic ability, avoiding anomalies, and engaging in turn-based card battles to acquire loot that can be traded for better items and personal upgrades is very satisfying.”
“I really like the concept and mechanics of this game, but it is so ridiculously buggy.”
“The biggest issue I had was that the tutorial is not complete, so some gameplay aspects are left a bit vague at the beginning, like how some cards use the standard energy points that renew each round and others use another, non-renewing resource based on physical exhaustion.”
“The experience it offers is more modest, less random, and focuses much more on narrative than mechanics.”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game features a compelling narrative that is heavily emphasized in the early stages, presented through a visual novel format, and is enriched by a persistent world that encourages exploration alongside card-based combat. Players appreciate the depth of the story, which draws inspiration from various sources, including the 1979 film "Stalker" and the short story "Roadside Picnic." Overall, the integration of story and gameplay elements has garnered positive feedback from users.
“This game is heavy on the story early on but soon as you get past the gate it opens up a bit with exploration/combat.”
“And a story presented through a visual novel.”
“The combat is very similar to Slay the Spire, but there seems to be a persistent world and story in addition to the card battler combat.”
“The story is presented through a visual novel.”
“This game is heavy on the story early on, but as you get past the gate, it opens up a bit with exploration and combat.”
“I like a lot of parts about it, like the aesthetics, the story, the free roam, or the battles.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics have received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing the clashing art styles and simplicity of exploration graphics compared to the more detailed city environments. While the overall aesthetics, animations, and effects are appreciated, many feel there is significant room for improvement, especially given that the game is in early access.
“I love the stalker aesthetic.”
“Artworks and design, animations, and effects are good, but they can be better. I give a discount since it is early access.”
“I like a lot of parts about it, like the aesthetics, the story, the free roam, or the battles.”
“Where to start with why this is an utter waste of time, probably with the clashing art styles.”
“It was so jarring to come through all these really mashed together game types, art styles, and basically, non-game.”
“The exploration graphics are quite a bit simpler than the beautiful location art in the city, and the exploration itself can feel a bit clunky when you're not sure what is background art or how to get to a detected point of interest.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its artistic quality, creating an immersive experience that encourages players to engage with the environment, even if it sometimes feels slow-paced and mundane.
“I love the art and the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is awesome.”
“I wanted to just skip, skip, skip, but the game makes you move at a snail's pace, allowing you to take in the mundane atmosphere.”
“I wanted to just skip, skip, skip, but the game makes you move at a snail's pace, taking in the mundane atmosphere.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Users express a desire for ongoing engagement with the game through updates, indicating a strong interest in future content. However, some prioritize narrative over replayability, suggesting that while replayability is appreciated, it may not be the primary focus for all players.
“I prefer a focus on narrative over replayability and mechanics.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has an engaging concept and mechanics, but players report significant stability issues due to numerous bugs.
“I really like the concept and mechanics of this game, but it is so ridiculously buggy.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to engage players from the very beginning, complementing the fantastic writing and enhancing the overall experience.
“Fantastic writing and music pull you in from the start, making you want to keep going.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely mesmerizing, perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere.”
“Each track is beautifully composed, enhancing the emotional depth of the gameplay experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players note that grinding is available as an option in the game, but it is not essential for progression, allowing for a more flexible gameplay experience.
“Grinding feels more like a chore than a rewarding experience.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is excessive and tedious.”
“I find myself spending hours grinding for minimal rewards, which is frustrating.”
