Throughout the years of development S.T.A.L.K.E.R (or Stalker) went through many ideas which were abandoned and promises were broken. For those watching the development process from the beginning it would seem like a shadow of what it originally promised to be, for others the graphics would be the letdown. What Stalker managed to do was shock. Why did it shock? Despite the years of development and masses of content removed or replaced it managed to deliver a good experience.

Now on patch 1.0006 Stalker is, yet again, a shadow of its former self. This time, however, it’s undoubtedly for the better. Oddly Shadow Of Chernobyl is at its prime after the release of its prequel — Clear Sky. With 90% of bugs officially fixed (others fixed by modders) Stalker offers a post-”apocalyptic” setting like no other. Shadow Of Chernobyl offers the player a large, sadly beautiful wasteland. Based loosely on the story of Stalker (1979 — based on the book Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky) you are thrown into The Zone: the area surrounding the Chernobyl disaster. Radiation has taken its toll on the inhabitants and the objects of the devastated world. Hotspots of radiation surround anomalies: small areas where real world physics have been altered beyond anything science could explain. Inhabitants, both animal and human alike, that fell victim to the harsh radiation roam. Only the lucky were killed.

You are the Marked One. A Stalker, a scavenger, a trespasser, an adventurer, a loner, a killer, an explorer, a robber, an unlucky mercenary. Waking up with pain throughout your body and a tattoo on your arm: S.T.A.L.K.E.R, you are alone and help isn’t free. All you know is that you were sent to kill “The Strelok”.

“Oddly Shadow Of Chernobyl is at its prime after the release of its prequel — Clear Sky.”

Stalker is lucky enough to have a excellent mod community. While most mods are purely aesthetic choices they certainly increase Stalker’s appeal. What makes Stalker stand out the most is Oblivion Lost. Stalker: Oblivion Lost was the original, working title of Stalker: Shadow Of Chernobyl. What the mod aimed to do was restore the ideas and visions of the original game: it does this and much, much more. While Shadow Of Chernobyl itself is an (arguably) fulfilling experience Oblivion Lost pushes it over the boundary into being an unforgettable experience. Oblivion Lost no longer offers a FPS with RPG elements; but it offers an outstanding RPGFPS with a very prominent horror mix.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Oblivion Lost creates a truly unique experience, and an experience which is unique to each user, each time they play. Different Factions (alliances/communities of Stalkers who are trapped in The Zone) can be seen settling their differences in a bloody shootout. Hordes of mutated animals can be seen stampeding across the tall grass of the bleak, yet beautiful, plains surrounding Pripayat.

Shadow Of Chernobyl was (correctly) praised for its atmosphere. With Oblivion Lost another step is taken. You can enjoy the sun creeping past a group of marching Pseudodogs. Crawling down into the city sewers for the first time, with only your flashlight and assault rifle for company, is truly unforgettable. Partially broken wall-lights cast a dim shadow of something running past behind you. You’re low on ammo with little knowledge of where you are. Do you turn to face it, or do you run and never look back? It’s a deadly game of cat and mouse, but you have to ask yourself: which are you?

S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Oblivion Lost really is a one of a kind. Weapons and lighting are captured perfectly. An amazing amount of detail can be enjoyed: from Russian folk songs by a camp fire to speeding down a baron dirt road. With as much to see and do in Oblivion Lost as any other WRPG there should be nothing holding you back. If only to show some fair negativity: players unfamiliar with complex PC controls may suffer when learning the controls of such a fast paced game where a single slip up could cost your life.