S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
Oct 31, 2024 2 years ago
Year 2011. Five years passed since the Second Disaster, which eclipsed the events of April 1986. The Zone is shaken by frequent and powerful blowouts, which move anomaly fields, opening new routes to previously inaccessible locations. Stalker factions fight for the new territories and key points. A lot of stalkers die, but newbies keep on arriving. The action takes place one year prior to the events of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, one year before Strelok's most successful trip to the center of the Zone – the third one. You will learn about Strelok and his squad from another character's vantage point. The Zone is waiting for you ahead, new locations and unknown threats, spatial holes and monsters hiding in the fog, pitch-black nights and saving rays of a rising sun. Try to avoid anomalies and hide from blowouts, discover the Zone and collect artifacts, cure radioactive irradiation and fight for any stalker faction you like! Only then you will uncover the truth about Strelok and how he happened to get inside the death truck and receive the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. tattoo on his arm.
What it’s like
Clear Sky serves as a gritty, atmospheric prequel to the legendary Shadow of Chernobyl, placing you in the boots of Scar, a mercenary navigating the chaotic power struggles of the Zone. The experience is defined by its oppressive mood and immersive survival mechanics rather than narrative complexity. You traverse vast, open-world landscapes filled with deadly anomalies and hostile factions, where tension stems from environmental hazards and realistic ballistics rather than scripted set-pieces. The core loop involves scavenging for artifacts, managing radiation, and engaging in tactical firefights that emphasize positioning and resource conservation. While the plot is straightforward—uncovering the origins of a specific faction—it is secondary to the visceral feeling of isolation and danger. The game excels in world-building, offering a dense, hostile environment where every step feels perilous. It captures the essence of post-apocalyptic survival horror through its sound design and visual fidelity, creating a sense of dread that permeates every interaction, from looting a corpse to surviving a sudden emission.
Strong in Atmosphere / MoodAudio / MusicExploration / WorldCombatDifficulty / ChallengeGameplay / MechanicsProgression / ReplayabilitySystems Depth / Build VarietyVisuals / Art
Keep in mind The pacing can feel sluggish due to repetitive fetch-quest structures and slow movement speeds. The AI is notoriously inconsistent, often breaking immersion with erratic behavior or pathfinding failures.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from store.steampowered.com, en.wikipedia.org, sickempire.com, cs.stalker-game.com, nintendo.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Sep 05, 200818 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 06, 20242 years ago |
| Xbox One | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 06, 20242 years ago |
| Nintendo Switch | Worldwide | Full release | Oct 31, 20242 years ago |
