S.T.A.L.K.E.R

INTRODUCTION

S.T.A.L.K.E.R is, with no doubt, one of the most anticipated games in the past several years. Because it had many problems while being developed, it came to a point that gamers didn’t really believe it would ever be released. Here are some details for those of you out there who are not familiar with the history and the development stages of this game: It was first announced on late 2001 and planned to be released in 2003. When GSC experienced problems, they kept pushing the release date back, but made sure no one forgot about the game, keeping their prospective fans on the edge with many teasers, previews, hot details, custom builds for demonstration and a whole lot of screenshots. Eventually, the game was been released on March 23, 2007.

The game is set in the Ukraine, in and around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The developers at GSC Gameworld have carefully reconstructed 30 square kilometers of area around the power plant for us, the players, to explore. This place is built in such detail and is an amazingly accurate replica of the actual site. In fact, it is so accurate that GSC Gameworld actually received an inquiry from the Ukrainian “Secret Service” to make sure that state secrets weren't being compromised and used in any illegal way.

Let me tell you something between us, the place is highly dangerous and radiation is everywhere. Bandits, mercenaries and other groups will attack on sight while mutated creatures are crawling all over the place, searching for some fresh meat.

Was S.T.A.L.K.E.R worth waiting for all these years? Will it implement all promises given by the developers during the development time? I invite you, if you feel you’re brave enough, to put on your anti-radiation suit (some Vodka would help as well), load your Kalashnikov, put your backpack on and join me while I explore the exciting world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl.

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