Pixel Sundays: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and the Post-Apocalyptic Vision That Defined a Generation
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series changed the post-apocalyptic genre many years ago. Today, we’re talking about the beginnings of this series and what’s next in the near future.
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Summary |
Today’s Pixel Sundays article topic is the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. This series has been around for over 15 years and blends science fiction with gritty reality. The games shine with their combination of survival action and a unique open world inspired by the real world. In just a few days, a new game in the series is coming out after more than 10 years, which aims to do everything better than its predecessors.
The origins of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series started in 2007. That year, Ukrainian studio GSC Game World released the first game. GSC Game World wanted to create a sci-fi game that still had a connection to the real world. The game was mainly inspired by two sources: the novel “Roadside Picnic” and the Chernobyl disaster.
The novel “Roadside Picnic,” which inspired S.T.A.L.K.E.R., was published in 1972 and written by the brothers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. It tells of mysterious zones that appeared after aliens visited Earth. In these zones, there are dangerous anomalies as well as valuable artifacts. To get these artifacts, people called Stalkers enter these dangerous and forbidden areas. That’s where the game’s name comes from.
The other inspiration for the game was the tragic Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. This event created a dangerous exclusion zone full of radiation, which served perfectly as the setting for the dystopian world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Players get to explore this area after a second disaster in 2006, making the area even more dangerous.
The development of the first S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game began in 2001. Initially, it was going to be called “Oblivion Lost.” But because they wanted an open world with very complex AI systems for the time, the release was delayed several times. Finally, in 2007, after many delays and revisions, the first S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, was released.
In the first game, you wake up as a nameless Stalker known as “The Marked One” in the zone around Chernobyl. Your mission is to find a mysterious Stalker named Strelok. Alongside the main mission, there are many side missions and lots to explore. In the open world, you encounter different life forms and bandits that you can fight for resources and money.
In 2008, a prequel titled S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky was released. In this game, you play as mercenary Scar and experience the conflict between the factions in the zone. New mechanics like faction wars were introduced, and of course, graphics and other features were improved.
In 2009, a sequel to the first game was released called S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat. Here, you take on the role of Major Degtyarev and are sent into the zone to investigate a failed military expedition. The game features new locations like the city of Pripyat and focuses more on survival and exploration.
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Game Title |
Release Year |
Main Features |
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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl |
2007 |
Exploration, Survival, Open World |
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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky |
2008 |
Prequel Storyline, Faction Wars |
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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat |
2009 |
Improved Mechanics, New Locations |
Gameplay mechanics that made S.T.A.L.K.E.R. special
The first Stalker game took 6 years to develop, which was quite long for its time. This was because GSC Game World wanted to come up with many new ideas and implement them all in the game. These features were designed to create an immersive survival experience that still felt very realistic.
After the Chernobyl disaster, many areas in the zone are, of course, highly irradiated, some more than others. You have to either avoid these areas or be well prepared. You can get a radiation suit or stock up on meds to protect yourself from radiation. There are also some artifacts that can have both positive and negative effects on radiation.
But what are these artifacts? Artifacts are rare objects that can be found near anomalies. As in “Roadside Picnic,” these artifacts have unique properties that can help you in combat or survival. But the artifacts are invisible and have to be found using special detectors.
These artifacts are often near anomalies. Anomalies are physical phenomena that are very dangerous. They can be triggered by electrical shocks or extreme heat and can kill you instantly. You need to use tools like bolts to locate and avoid them if possible.
In this harsh world, your resources are very limited. Food, medical supplies, and ammunition are scarce. You need to plan your resources carefully, and sometimes use a knife in combat to save ammo.
One standout feature of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. at release was the AI. The AI adapted to the player’s behavior in combat. This made fights more intense and unpredictable. Enemies would take cover and attack you in a coordinated manner.
In the second S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game, a faction system was added. Each faction had its own ideologies, and you could join or fight them. This affected the course of the game and its ending. As a result, you could play the game multiple times, with the story developing a little differently each time.
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games also have a day-night cycle and different weather conditions. For example, sneaking up on enemies in the dark or rain is easier, and some enemies are more active at night. Waiting might be worth it before attacking certain foes.
Atmosphere and storytelling
Let’s talk a bit about atmosphere and storytelling and compare it with other games. The atmosphere in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is unique. You wander through bleak landscapes, accompanied by eerie sounds and gloomy weather. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’s storytelling is also a bit different from traditional games. There’s not much explained to you; you have to piece things together by paying attention to details in the environment.
The nuclear disaster has left behind abandoned buildings, weathered roads, and destroyed structures. This gives the game a post-apocalyptic atmosphere, familiar from many other games. The often foggy weather adds to the sense of isolation and danger. The music also plays a big role in creating atmosphere. In the distance, you might hear strange noises, or an eerie melody might play as you enter the danger zone.
Back to storytelling. Of course, there are NPCs in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. that give you quests and provide some backstory, but there’s more to it. The abandoned houses, graffiti, and personal items tell the stories of the people who lived there. You only discover these details if you play the game carefully, but that’s what makes this world so engaging.
Let’s compare this with two other popular game series: Fallout and Metro. There are Pixel Sundays articles on both franchises that you should check out if you’re interested. You’ll learn all about them, and maybe one will catch your eye.
Fallout offers a stylized retro look compared to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The characters’ clothes and weapons are outdated. In contrast, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. features weapons like the AK-47. Metro also has realistic weapons and the nuclear theme, but the atmosphere is mainly created by the tight, wet tunnels and the constant tension.
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Game |
Atmosphere Description |
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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. |
Realistic, dark, immersive |
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Fallout |
Stylized, dark humor, retro |
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Metro |
Claustrophobic, tense |
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’s cultural impact and legacy
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’s success had a major impact on the survival game industry, especially post-apocalyptic games. Many games would not be the same without the influence of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., so let’s talk about a few of them.
One game is the already-mentioned Metro series. It was developed by 4A Games, a studio founded by former S.T.A.L.K.E.R. developers. This is why there are many similarities in the game. The survival gameplay and gunplay are very similar, and both games feature mutated enemies caused by radiation.
Another popular game that was inspired by S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is DayZ, which recently received a new DLC. While S.T.A.L.K.E.R. doesn’t have zombies, the scarcity of resources and atmosphere are very similar. There are even some S.T.A.L.K.E.R. roleplay servers for DayZ.
The future of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. – What’s next?
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series is about to enter its next chapter. In just a few days, on November 20th, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will be released. This game will take you back to the zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The world is now bigger and looks much better. The game combines everything we loved from the previous games and makes it even better. You can expect all the familiar features from the old games, but improved. Get ready for deadly anomalies, dangerous mutants, and rival factions.
There will be many choices you have to make, and they will affect how the game plays out. As a result, there will be multiple endings. Your decisions will also shape the course of the game, which means you can replay it without getting bored. The game will feature a huge open world of about 64 km².
As mentioned, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will be released on November 20th for PC and Xbox Series X|S. The game is equipped with the latest technology, using Unreal Engine 5 to create a very realistic game world. The AI has also been further improved, making combat even more exciting. Not only that, but the game is also more accessible to modders. There will be an official modding toolkit, allowing the community to modify the game well into the future. However, with all these new features, the game will be quite demanding on PCs. You can learn more about the system requirements for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 in this article.
Conclusion
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise has shaped the post-apocalyptic survival genre and will continue to do so in the future. The unique blend of dark atmosphere and innovative gameplay made the game stand out.
With the upcoming release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, the series is reaching new heights. The new game is 10 years newer and includes many new features, as well as a significant graphical upgrade. This game is perfect for those who haven’t played the previous titles. It offers a huge open world of 64 km² to explore, a story full of choices, and lots of thrilling battles.
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By 
Kilian
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Hey, I’m Kilian, but online you’ll probably know me as “Tux1243.” I've been part of the team for almost two years now, always trying to keep you in the loop with the latest and coolest gaming news. I also have a huge passion for doing deep dives and detailed analyses of entire game series and franchises. I love getting to the bottom of things and exploring the little details and backstories that make game worlds so fascinating.
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Comments (1)
Absolutely great writing, bet review of this I've found online! Thank you.