How to play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games to fully understand the story: the right order

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series by GSC Game World has long been a classic of post-apocalyptic games. The release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is approaching, and many newcomers are wondering which part to start with to get acquainted with this series.

Experienced players advise to follow the order of the games' release to fully immerse yourself in the world of the Zone and appreciate the development of gameplay and plot. For the best experience, you should start with the main parts: Shadow of Chernobyl (2007), Clear Sky (2008), and Call of Pripyat (2009).

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series of games offers a unique and deep storyline that becomes clearer if you play through the parts in the correct sequence. Players who start without taking into account the chronology of events risk losing important plot twists and feeling less tension from the development of the story. Therefore, OBOZ.UA offers to look at the right order that will help you to enjoy the atmosphere of the legendary project to the fullest.

The right sequence according to experienced fans:

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

The first game in the series, released in 2007, immerses players in the events of 2012 in the post-apocalyptic Exclusion Zone. You play as a stalker named Marked One (Mecheny), who suffers from amnesia and is on a mission to destroy another one. As you progress through the game, you begin to remember the past, which adds intrigue to the plot.

This part lays the foundation for the entire series, so it is important to start with it. Otherwise, if you are not familiar with the events of Clear Sky, the plot may become predictable.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky

This part, although the second, tells about the events that took place a year before the plot of Shadow of Chernobyl. You play as Shram (Scar), a stalker who survived a powerful energy release. The story reveals details about the Zone and the causes of the cataclysms that occurred in the first game.

However, you shouldn't play Clear Sky before Shadow of Chernobyl: it will deprive the plot of unexpected twists and turns and make the story less exciting.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

The third game in the series develops the plot immediately after the events of Shadow of Chernobyl. Players take on the role of SSU Major Oleksandr Dehtiariov, who is sent to the Zone to investigate the crash of several military helicopters.

Call of Pripyat allows you to learn more about the Zone, reveal its secrets and get answers to questions that arose in the previous parts.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

The long-awaited sequel to the series, titled Heart of Chernobyl, promises to continue the storyline. There are no exact details about the story yet, but fans expect that the new part will expand knowledge about the Zone.

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