S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl is a FPS video game that was first released on March 20, 2007. The game features an open-world game. This means that the player can freely roam the virtual world and has the freedom on how to approach the game’s objectives.

The game takes place in a parallel universe called The Zone. This area is based on the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. In this game, the players takes the role of a Stalker, also referred to as the Marked One by Sid. A Stalker is an illegal artifact scavenger in The Zone. The gameplay follows a non-linear sandbox. Aside from being able to explore the virtual world freely, this game also provides players with many chances to interact with other players or characters. The game is mainly an FPS. However, it also offers several RPG elements. Instead of attaining more stats and abilities, the game allows players to attach artifacts in order to increase/decrease the player’s attributes.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl also features several major game elements including mutants, artifacts, anomalies, and radiation. Mutants are caused by the post-nuclear decay within the game’s setting. Anomalies are small altered physics areas within The Zone and produces Artifacts, which are valuable scientific curiosities in The Zone. Radiation also takes a major role in the game wherein players get radiation poisoning whenever they enter a radiated location. Radiation poisoning can cause the player his life.