I just finished STALKER yesterday and I'm convinced that this is a near-perfect game, that will get a lot of ~9 marks in both Russian and Western press, unlike the first two installments. Now, I'm not a big fan neither of modern shooters (Since, there hasn't been much new ideas in them since Duke Nukem 3D
I'm exaggerating, of course, but it's close to that.) nor the criminal ghetto atmosphere that tends to get into the game a lot, but if it's all right with you, this game is made for you.
GSC took a different approach to developing the world this time — there are only three maps (all new) in the game, but they are huge and full of detail. Almost any part of the map has a point of interest, be it an anomaly where you can hunt for artifacts, a creepy location with mad inhabitants, a secret place with a boss encounter or whatever — there's a lot more interactivity to the game than before. The balancing of the game is perfect - the difficulty settings work great, and there are no annoying small nuances like having to stop for a breather every five seconds to restore stamina. The player advances and becomes stronger gradually through engaging in all the possible activities: completing quests, finding rare artifacts for his own good, buying better weapons and upgrading them, etc...
When I think about the game in general, it reminds me of Fallout 3 a lot, only based in Russia.
And, oh, the endings are done like in Fallout 2! At the very end you will be told the story of every important character you met in the game, and their fate will change, depending on what quests you've completed and how! This sold me to write this small review.
So, a must-buy, definitely.
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How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;
---- Alexander Pope