"S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat" is a game that masterfully combines tension, atmosphere, and freedom of choice. From the very first minutes, you are immersed in the grim yet captivating world of the Zone, where every sound, every rustle of the wind, or distant growl of mutants keeps you on edge. The story of Major Degtyarev, sent to the Zone on a crucial mission, captivates with its simplicity and depth. The game subtly pushes you to explore mysterious locations, where beneath every anomaly might lie either a valuable artifact or a deadly trap.

The locations — Zaton, Yanov, and Pripyat itself — are breathtaking in their detail and realism. Abandoned houses, rusty vehicles, and deserted bases all breathe history, creating the illusion of a living, forgotten world. Encounters with other stalkers add even more depth, as each character has their own fate, goals, and fears.

The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and challenge. You must conserve resources, constantly monitor your gear’s weight, find safe routes, and prepare for the unexpected. Completing tasks is engaging, and the narrative twists are influenced by your choices. While the game doesn’t feature an overwhelming number of enemies or events, this is compensated by the sheer intensity and sense of real survival.

Yes, Call of Pripyat has its flaws: minor bugs and occasionally predictable enemy behavior. But these pale in comparison to the overall harmony of gameplay and atmosphere, which make you forget such trivialities. The game perfectly concludes the trilogy, leaving a sense of closure while simultaneously making you want to return to the Zone.

"S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat" is more than just a game — it’s a unique experience that everyone curious about the mysteries of the Zone should live through at least once.

snjork snjork pripyat keeps calling me

Hopped in the game, played for what felt like 20-30 minutes, got off and found it was 1:30 am and had 90 minutes of play time. I have a terrible attention span and don't like Fallout or Skyrim games but this had me hooked. Definitely recommend getting this game.