Clear Sky is a "prequel" to STALKER, a title that takes place one year before the events narrated by Shadow of Chernobyl where a mercenary confronts Strelok in the area this time divided into fourteen levels, with 5 exclusive areas, the others being variants of certain environments already seen in the original game. If GSC chose to go back in time instead of proposing a direct sequel it is for the simple reason that many questions remained unanswered, For example how the main character ended up on the back of a truck, suffering from amnesia and for only lead a message, "Kill Strelok".
New elements
While Clear Sky looks very much like Shadow of Chernobyl, the purpose and conduct of the game will be very different. 8 factions fight for control of the area, and you will have to deal with these people, remain faithful, betray, evolve within a group, taking part in the gradual conquest of checkpoints. For example, when joining a faction, you have the option of taking a side quest to take control of the opposing faction's camp. And of course, crushing a faction means you may not be able to join them anymore, so be sure to get all the weapon/armor upgrades from them beforehand.
Checkpoints will be of various orders and their dominance will provide widespread benefits to their owners, some have a strategic importance, usually at the entry of level, others are sources of raw materials. Before you can embark on large-scale faction missions, you must first prove yourself by completing a specific number of missions that will get more and more adventurous and deadly, from a simple search of an artifact to the massacre an enemy camp.
Gameplay
As usual, the gameplay is open, with an inventory of main quests and annexes, STALKER therefore gives itself airs of true "small" RPG but make no mistake about it, the share of the action is just as important, if not more. Through scripts, combat situations are varied and sometimes show quite dramatic, involving helicopters and snipers sniping viciously. Sessions of big gunfights during which the most skilled can prove themselves with headshots, while others will shot haphazardly. But in between these outdoors trigger-happy sequences will be scarier missions, at the bottom of a network of dark tunnels, emphasized by the sounds and graphical effects, where you will face mutants with psychic powers. These basements are also great challenges since while the radiation will flow freely in the area, this is not the case for ammunition which can be surprisingly difficult to harvest. Last but not least, the artificial intelligence has made a great leap forward from Shadow of Chernobyl if we are to judge by the behavior of both allies and enemies, now more organized and rarely exposing themselves unnecessarily. One thing that didn't change however is their reaction to grenades where they usually run in any direction.
Graphics
The textures were obviously improved and strive to give the effect of material while the volumetric lights create effects of stunning insights, as the rays of light in seen in an old dusty building and shadows look more convincing. Similarly, the light / dark cycle is perfected by the path of the sun that is excellently simulated, until the arrival of a truly dark night in which you only see your surroundings with your flashlight or night vision armor upgrades.
Overall its a pretty fun game to play and i would suggest trying it with the game with one of the total/partial conversion mods which add monsters and items, modify certain areas and allow you to drive vehicles from the rusty jeeps to the army's tanks.
New elements
While Clear Sky looks very much like Shadow of Chernobyl, the purpose and conduct of the game will be very different. 8 factions fight for control of the area, and you will have to deal with these people, remain faithful, betray, evolve within a group, taking part in the gradual conquest of checkpoints. For example, when joining a faction, you have the option of taking a side quest to take control of the opposing faction's camp. And of course, crushing a faction means you may not be able to join them anymore, so be sure to get all the weapon/armor upgrades from them beforehand.
Checkpoints will be of various orders and their dominance will provide widespread benefits to their owners, some have a strategic importance, usually at the entry of level, others are sources of raw materials. Before you can embark on large-scale faction missions, you must first prove yourself by completing a specific number of missions that will get more and more adventurous and deadly, from a simple search of an artifact to the massacre an enemy camp.
Gameplay
As usual, the gameplay is open, with an inventory of main quests and annexes, STALKER therefore gives itself airs of true "small" RPG but make no mistake about it, the share of the action is just as important, if not more. Through scripts, combat situations are varied and sometimes show quite dramatic, involving helicopters and snipers sniping viciously. Sessions of big gunfights during which the most skilled can prove themselves with headshots, while others will shot haphazardly. But in between these outdoors trigger-happy sequences will be scarier missions, at the bottom of a network of dark tunnels, emphasized by the sounds and graphical effects, where you will face mutants with psychic powers. These basements are also great challenges since while the radiation will flow freely in the area, this is not the case for ammunition which can be surprisingly difficult to harvest. Last but not least, the artificial intelligence has made a great leap forward from Shadow of Chernobyl if we are to judge by the behavior of both allies and enemies, now more organized and rarely exposing themselves unnecessarily. One thing that didn't change however is their reaction to grenades where they usually run in any direction.
Graphics
The textures were obviously improved and strive to give the effect of material while the volumetric lights create effects of stunning insights, as the rays of light in seen in an old dusty building and shadows look more convincing. Similarly, the light / dark cycle is perfected by the path of the sun that is excellently simulated, until the arrival of a truly dark night in which you only see your surroundings with your flashlight or night vision armor upgrades.
Overall its a pretty fun game to play and i would suggest trying it with the game with one of the total/partial conversion mods which add monsters and items, modify certain areas and allow you to drive vehicles from the rusty jeeps to the army's tanks.