It’s time for half two of the S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy evaluation, and I’m beginning to perceive a bit extra concerning the franchise, after initially coming in as a newcomer.
Taking part in Clear Sky signifies that it is smart as to why the upcoming Coronary heart of Chornobyl can be known as S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R. 2. These video games included within the trilogy are supposed to be thought of as one entry, with a singular story instructed all through. Clear Sky is definitely a prequel to Shadow of Chornobyl, main as much as the occasions in that sport.
The title Clear Sky is said to a faction throughout the Zone. Not like lots of the different factions there, their curiosity lies in understanding and researching the Zone. In fact, they nonetheless carry weapons – as is a necessity on the market – however their intentions differ from many others who roam the Zone.
This time round you play as Scar, who survives a phenomenon generally known as an Emission. Usually, these would kill anybody caught in them, so Scar surviving it’s intriguing, at the least for Clear Sky. After then surviving one other Emission while on a mission for Clear Sky, it’s assumed that Scar has some form of innate capacity to outlive anomalies out within the Zone. Nonetheless, he can not take too many Emissions as they’re slowly destroying his nervous system. That seems to be the one draw back.
Scar is then requested to analyze why these Emissions maintain taking place, and it’s believed it has one thing to do with the Chernobyl Nuclear Energy Plant on the centre of the Zone. You realize, the massive plant that triggered the Zone to exist within the first place. No huge deal. Apparently there’s a group of Stalkers who’re trying to achieve the centre of the Zone and have gotten additional than anybody else has earlier than; these Emissions are a response to that. Scar is tasked with discovering – and stopping – them.
Issues begin to piece along with Shadow of Chornobyl while you meet Sidorovich who tells you the names of the Stalkers you’re searching down: Doc, Fang, Ghost and at last, Strelok. Names you can be accustomed to coming straight from the primary sport.
Instantly, S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky appears like placing on a pair of slippers, coming straight from Shadow of Chornobyl, albeit with a number of new options. Improved graphics, a greater map (although nonetheless not nice) and a extra concise UI are noticeable from the off. Lighting seems to be higher this time as nicely, with shadows from campfires wanting way more life like. Auto intention additionally seems to be working as anticipated too, and I used to be made to look fairly adept at pulling off a headshot with it. That is in stark distinction to Shadow of Chornobyl the place I used to be fortunate if I used to be in a position to land a physique shot. That doesn’t make issues a lot simpler although; these video games have been initially designed for PC FPS gamers, and utilizing a controller provides a further layer of problem to an already difficult sport.
Clear Sky does additionally undergo the identical points because the earlier sport too. Particularly, a scarcity of an Xbox Collection X|S model – due later this 12 months – and it did crash on me a few instances as nicely. Additionally, it appears like loading instances listed below are slower. Why that is, I’m not positive, as you’re largely taking part in on the identical map as the primary sport, with solely minor adjustments.
What’s new for S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky is faction wars, and you’re launched to this new mechanic on the very starting. Throughout your preliminary moments with Clear Sky, you’re requested to go to a number of places and wipe out the bandits that reside inside. A display will present you reside updates as to how your actions have an effect on the skirmish and improve/lower your standings with factions as you progress. It’s not precisely groundbreaking, however to see your actions dynamically have an effect on your social standings is fairly cool.
Additional enhancements come within the type of customisation of weapons and armour, together with the flexibility to restore gear. Anomalies are as soon as once more current and are actually tougher to detect, that means your bolts turn into much more essential. The artifacts they now produce spawn inside them nevertheless, that means you’re far much less prone to have a group of them after only some hours.
Aside from that, and some new additions to the map, S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky feels extra like an extension to the primary sport, slightly than a separate entity. Barely shorter, however nonetheless simply as tense throughout firefights and lots of different moments that may flare up immediately. You’re by no means actually secure within the Zone.
Very similar to Twin Peaks: Fireplace Stroll with Me, S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky is a prequel to the primary occasion, however not one you must deal with first. The primary sport permits you to get your ft beneath the desk, getting comparatively snug. S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky then offers you the world to discover, and while it’s important to understanding “the larger image”, it does so with out actually breaking the mould.
S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R.: Clear Sky needs to be seen as an growth slightly than a full prequel, however it’s one which followers will take pleasure in nonetheless.
