S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Preview
PC (GSC Gameworld, THQ)
FPS/RPG/Adventure Release Date: March 2007
Posted January 17th, 2007

Here at College Downtime we focus on bringing you the best in everything we do. That means we feature only the best games, the best videos, etc. We do that for two reasons: 1, why would we waste your time previewing shitty games?, and 2, there's only two of us running this freak show so we can only do so much in one day. That being said, let me turn your attention to an upcoming PC game that's been in development for six years. This game is called "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl", and it just might revolutionize the video game world with its disgustingly sick new gameplay mechanics. Set for an official release in March 2007 (almost here!), S.T.A.L.K.E.R. combines elements from multiple genres and creates its own niche in the process; one that once we explain, we think you'll like.

If you were to just take a gander through the screenshots below, you'd probably assume after perusing that "Shadow of Chernobyl" is a first person shooter. One third of the game is, actually, so you'd be partially correct. At its foundation, "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." is a first person shooter, but it's set in a 300 square kilometer environment that's yours to explore, which adds an adventure aspect into the proverbial game batter. On top of those two genres we also have a third in the form of an RPG; yes, you read that correctly - a role playing game. You see in "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." you play as a freelance military treasure hunter, hired by the Russian politik to investigate the mysteries of the recent Chernobyl disaster. The problem is however, is that you're not the only S.T.A.L.K.E.R. they hired, meaning you'll be competing against dozens of others that you can interact with, trade with, and even kill. Oh, and just like in the award winning RPGs "Fable" and "KOTOR", decisions in "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." permanently change the environment around you for the rest of the game. For example, if you kill another S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and are seen stabbing the unlucky bastard in the back, you will become the hunted. On top of that you can bet that your friendly, Sunday brunches with the other local S.T.A.L.K.E.R.S. is history, so you best tread carefully.



Along with the environment, the entire timetable to this game is dynamic; more specifically speaking, since other S.T.A.L.K.E.R.S. are competing against you, they have the ability to complete the mission before you do. Folks, this is a whole new gameplay element that sounds really amazing; now not only do you have mutants, telepathic dwarves (yes, you read that correctly; I did a double take too), and other S.T.A.L.K.E.R.S. hunting you but you are racing against the clock as well. Stellarriffic gameplay elements aside, the graphics for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. look phenomenal in some screens, but downright ancient in others. I'm guessing this is due to the fact that GSC Gameworld started building the engine six friggin years ago in 2001, so hopefully they can apply all the extra polish where it's due before it's released. Then again, if the gameplay is as good as I think it's gonna be, I could honestly care less if it looked like a fuckin Atari game.

Let's recap here. The game is called, "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernoybl". It's being released about two months from now in March 2007 for the PC, and it's forging it's own genre by combining FPS, RPG, and Adventure elements all into one sexy package. Everything from the game world to the NPC's is dynamic, including every decision you make which will decide how the rest of the game plays out. Finally we can experience the joys of blowing a telepathic dwarf away FPS style and seeing the reprecussions for our decision affect the same game in delicious, "KOTOR/FABLE" fashion. Will this game live up to the hype I've now thrown at it? We won't know until it's released, really. But to answer that hypothetical question for shits and giggles: I think it will. Cannot wait for this game. More news as it comes people, stay tuned in to College Downtime for more.



S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Screenshots:






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