S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Video Game Series
A series of first-person shooters (FPS) in the climate of post-apocalyptic horror. The brand was created by the Ukrainian company GSC Game World, which oversees its development.
History of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series.
The first game in the series - S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl - was released in 2007 exclusively for PC and was very well received by gamers and critics alike. Encouraged by its success, the developers set to work on standalone expansions. The first of these was the prequel, viz. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, which hit store shelves in mid-2008. In 2009, fans lived to see the release of the second standalone add-on, titled S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, which is a sequel to Shadow of Chernobyl.
Fans had to wait several long years for the release of the full-fledged second installment of the series. Not much was missing to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl became the first game from under this banner to hit not only personal computers, but also consoles. Nevertheless, in March 2024, a compilation was released on PlayStation and Xboxes S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy, created by GSC Game World in cooperation with Poland's Mataboo.
The plot and gameplay in the games of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series.
The source of inspiration for the creators of the series S.T.A.L.K.E.R. was the novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky titled Picnic on the Edge of the Road and the film based on its themes Stalker (1979), directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. The plot of the games presents an alternative version of history, according to which the in 2006, a renewed explosion at the damaged Chernobyl nuclear power plant contributed to the contamination of the vast area around the plant. Anomalies and mutated creatures appeared in the zone, which was closed by the military.
The action of the first part of the series takes place several years later, and the player takes on the role of one of the stalkers - the few daredevils who venture into the zona in search of artifacts, bizarre plants and objectsfor which many people are willing to pay big money. The plot of the game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 in turn tells the story of Skif wishing to solve the mystery of the mysterious power present in the Zone.
Gameplay in productions under the banner of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. combines elements of FPP open-world shooters and RPGs.. The plot is non-linear, and the decisions made by the player affect its course and ending. With the development of the series, the area put at our disposal increased, as well as the amount of equipment we could use, among other things.
Engine and mods for games in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series.
The first installment of the series and expansions are based on the proprietary X-Ray Engine. For its time, it provided high-quality visuals, while being susceptible to modification. Thanks to the latter modder scene developed around the series; among the modifications prepared by it, the project led the way S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha. X-Ray Engine, however, was demanding for the hardware and difficult to tame for developers, so the second installment of the series was already based on Unreal Engine 5.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Series Evolution
2025
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition
2024
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
2024
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy
2014
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha
2009
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
2008
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
2007
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition
May 20, 2025
Action, RPG Elements, FPP, FPS, Package, Post-apocalypse, Remaster/remake, Sandbox, Singleplayer, Shooters.
A remastered collection of the first three STALKER games from GSC Game World studio. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition contains STALKER: Shadow of Chornobyl, STALKER: Clear Sky, and STALKER: Call of Pripyat. The new versions offers greatly improved visuals, mod support and other fixes.
Steam
Users
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
November 20, 2024
Action, RPG Elements, FPP, FPS, Post-apocalypse, Sandbox, Singleplayer, Shooters.
A proper sequel of the 2007 game STALKER: The Shadow of Chornobyl, developed by the Ukrainian studio GSC Game World. We can again visit the dark & dangerous post-nuclear world of the Zone around the titular Ukrainian nuclear plant, dealing with mutants, anomalies, and bandits.
Gamepressure
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy
March 6, 2024
Action, RPG Elements, FPP, FPS, Package, Post-apocalypse, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, Sandbox, Singleplayer, Shooters.
A compilation of the first three FPP games from the STALKER series, originally created by GSC Game World and modified for console players with the help of Mataboo studio. The package contains STALKER: Shadow of Chornobyl, STALKER: Clear Sky and STALKER: Call of Pripyat.
OpenCritic
Users
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha
April 26, 2014
Action, RPG Elements, FPP, FPS, Indie Games, Mods, Post-apocalypse, Singleplayer, Shooters.
A fan-made modification of the first installment in the popular series of shooters set in a post-apocalyptic reality and inspired by science-fiction works of Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. The mod is based on the final version of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, which introduced many changes and simplifications to the gameplay, earning itself disapproval of the fans in this respect. Lost Alpha is an attempt to recreate the original version of the game using graphics, video clips and information published by the game's creators during the development. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha is a game made mostly from scratch - for example, it features a completely new map and a brand new story with a huge set of new missions. Physics were significantly improved and visuals were upgraded. Lost Alpha introduces a new faction called Dark Stalkers, as well as additional weapons and new types of hostile mutants.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
October 2, 2009
Action, FPP, FPS, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, Post-apocalypse, Singleplayer, Shooters.
The third installment in a series of action games developed by GSC Game World. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic reality of the Zone - an area contaminated as a result of the explosion that destroyed the sarcophagus protecting the damaged reactor in Chernobyl. The story focuses on discovering the reasons behind the failure of the Fairway Operation, which was organized by the government in order to thoroughly search the dangerous areas. The player assumes the role of a State Security Service agent by the name of Alexander Degtyarev, whose task is to find out why the aforementioned secret operation yielded no results. The player visits three extensive new areas located around the titular Pripyat, all of them representing real-life locations. When it comes to the changes brought with this installment, these concern mainly the side missions, which are no longer randomly generated. Instead, they are more extensive and non-linear now. Among other changes, it is worth noticing further AI improvements, a new UI, and the new ability to sleep, which regenerates the protagonist's health.
Steam
Users
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
September 5, 2008
Action, FPP, FPS, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, Post-apocalypse, Singleplayer, Shooters.
A prequel to 2007's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl - an action game set in a post-apocalyptic reality and created by GSC Game World - a Ukrainian developer. The plot is set a year before the events shown in the original game and focuses on a mercenary called Scar. While escorting a group of scientists, Scar witnesses a massive energy emission kill the members of his team before being knocked out by it. The protagonist wakes up at a camp belonging to an organization called Clear Sky. The player's task is to discover the secrets of the Zone and find out what causes the mysterious phenomena. The game world was both expanded and modified to an increased degree. The player completes assignments for one of six factions, gathering completely new weapons and useful artifacts. The latter can be sold or used for private purposes. The game introduces changes mainly to visuals, interface and both the PDA and inventory menus. The multiplayer mode was improved as well - up to 32 players can meet within a session.
Steam
Users
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
March 20, 2007
Action, FPP, FPS, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, Post-apocalypse, Singleplayer, Shooters.
A post-apocalyptic action game inspired by the science-fiction books by the Strugatsky brothers. It was developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World, known for Codename: Outbreak as well as Cossacks and the American Conquest game series. As a result of blowing up of the sarcophagus protecting the damaged nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, radioactive dust covered a vast portion of the surrounding areas. This led not only to the death of a large part of plants and animals living there, but also the emergence of hideous mutations and a variety of deadly anomalies. The player takes on the role of one of the stalkers, a group of men who venture into the contaminated zone years after the catastrophe, in search of valuable items, plants, and artifacts. The game combines elements of tactical first-person shooters, adventure games, and RPGs. Players are given a vast terrain completely open for exploration, a wide arsenal of customizable weapons, and a full spectrum of unique enemies with different abilities. The game’s non-linear story offers 7 alternative endings.
Steam
Users
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Series News
The big 1.7 update to STALKER 2 is out. The post-apocalyptic FPS got more realistic, and factions have started fighting each other
Update 1.7 for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is finally out. The patch introduces a huge amount of changes.
video games
November 18, 2025
STALKER 2 and four other games will soon leave Game Pass. This is the last chance to play them
We have learned the list of games that will be removed from Xbox and PC Game Pass subscriptions in mid-November.
video games
November 3, 2025
I played Stalker 2 on PS5. Performance mode is impressive on PS5 Pro, and DualSense is a game changer
One of the games I managed to play during gamescom was the PS5 port of Stalker 2, which is taking shape. During the half-hour session, I had a chance to try out both graphics modes, as well as talk a bit with the developers.
Opinions
August 27, 2025
STALKER 2 devs' plans are so ambitious that delays seem inevitable. In the end, however, players will be very happy
GSC Game World has set ambitious goals for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. By the end of 2025, the title is expected to receive several updates, as well as shift to a newer version of Unreal Engine 5.
video games
August 13, 2025
Stalker 2 announced for PS5 later this year in clever new trailer
GSC Game World has announced that Stalker 2 will arrive on PS5. The news was revealed via a clever trailer with a character in the game playing the game.
video games
July 9, 2025
STALKER 2 modkit requires 700 GB of free space. Despite everything, this is good news for modders
STALKER 2 got a modkit that is 30 times bigger than the one for Starfield. Its size probably broke all records.
video games
June 27, 2025
39% positive on Steam: Stalker Enhanced Editions dissapoint fans with cut content and blurry visuals
Three classic Stalker games were released today on Steam as enhanced editions. But fans agree that „enhanced” does not feel like the proper title for these.
video games
May 20, 2025
Stalker but it's a top-down shooter with dimensional travel: No Such Place is having a Steam playtest now
No Such Place looks like a promising top-down shooter with elements of survival horror and inventory management. There's a playtest on Steam now.
video games
May 20, 2025
STALKER 2 received major 1.4 update. Patch makes shootouts tougher, giving mutants easier access to fresh corpses
Patch 1.4 is another major update to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, breathing some life into the Zone.
video games
May 16, 2025
STALKER trilogy becomes even better and more beautiful with new version. Post-apocalyptic shooter owners will receive upgrade for free
GSC Game World studio announced STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition. The iconic trilogy will be revamped and receive 4K support. Its owners will get the upgrade for free.
video games
May 15, 2025