Outside a plethora of bugs at launch,STALKER 2is proving to be a success among fans. Of course, for those who played the original trilogy, especially at launch, bugs are not a surprise. However, for newer players who aren’t accustomed to the haunting world of theSTALKERuniverse, it may feel a little alienating. The harsh survival horror gameplay loop may seem appealing, but newcomers may be wondering whether it’s accessible.
This is exacerbated by the fact thatSTALKER 2is a sequel, which may put players off even more. Fortunately, the extremelypositiveSTALKER 2reviewspoint to it not only being an excellent game but also a perfect starting point for new fans. Of course, there are plenty of reasons why people should try out theSTALKERseries. However, for those who are deciding whether to play the original trilogy or the new sequel,there’s actually a lot of value in playingSTALKER 2first.
STALKER 2 Is The Perfect Starting Point For Newcomers
It’s The Most Accessible Entry In The Series
STALKER 2is easily the most accessible game in the entire series, not simply from a gameplay perspective, but also from a monetary one. DespiteSTALKER 2’sbuggy launch, it remains a more refined experience compared to the “Eurojank” earlier titles. A lot of the gameplay ideas that were introduced in the initial trilogy have been innovated upon in the sequel, leading to a far more enjoyable experience that doesn’t feel quite as alienating.
For example,the gunplay, stealth, and survival mechanics have been honed to make the experience generally more approachable for a modern audience. Fortunately,STALKER 2still retains the harshness of its predecessors and serves up a gritty lone-wanderer fantasy for those who want it. It also looks significantly better thanks to UE5, which may be more appealing to those who aren’t fond of older titles.
Additionally,STALKER 2’sseamless open worldfinally brings the series more in line with what players expect from open-world games. This includes interesting emergent events,unmissable side quests, and a plethora of resources that players can collect across the enormous deadly expanse that is the Zone. There’s so much to see and do inSTALKER 2that fans will be kept busy for a long time.
It’s worth noting that the original trilogy weren’t really open-world games in the traditional sense. Only the third entry,Call of Pripyat, could be considered open-world, and even then, it was open zones connected via loading screens.STALKER 2is the first fully open-world entry in the series.
Most importantly,STALKER 2is available day one on Xbox Game Pass. This means that players don’t need to fork out $70 to play it if they can’t afford to. The remastered version of the original trilogy, titledLegends of the Zone, is not available on a streaming service, and as such, players will need to either pay full price for each individual entry or for the entire package. So, for those looking to get into theSTALKERfranchise - which is a great idea - then the sequel is by far the best option, especially as it is a standalone entry.
STALKER 2 Can Be Played Before The Original Games
It Won’t Be Too Complicated For Newcomers
Narratively, it can feel like playersmust play theSTALKERtrilogybefore playingSTALKER 2. However, that is, for the most part, not the case. While there are connections between the originalSTALKERtrilogy and the sequel, including characters, setting, and lore,STALKER 2is a standalone experience with a brand-new protagonist and a whole set of new characters. Largely, it can be enjoyed independently of the previous games.
A Key STALKER 2 Feature Is Broken, But GSC Game World Is “Working Hard” On The Problem
As STALKER 2 continues to suffer from technical issues, the game’s developers have promised a fix to one of its most important features.
In fact, in the game’sFAQ page, GSC explains that while playing the previous games is good for immersion, as players will have a better understanding of the world and its lore, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an independent sequel to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy, so it can be a great start of [a player’s] journey within the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe.” This makes it even more accessible, asfans don’t need to worry about having any prior knowledge.
Players don’t need to worry about needing to do extensive homework just to enjoy all ofSTALKER 2’sexciting features.
Of course,it helps to read up on the overall lore of theSTALKERuniverse and maybe who some of the key characters are. Additionally, reading the original inspiration for theSTALKERgames,Roadside Picnic, is encouraged, but absolutely not mandatory. Players don’t need to worry about needing to do extensive homework just to enjoy all ofSTALKER 2’sexciting features.
It Is Worth Playing The Original STALKER Trilogy After The Sequel
The Original Games Are Still Excellent Survival Horror Experiences
Of course,it is absolutely worth playing the originalSTALKERtrilogy after beating the sequel. The three original games are genuine classics, and while they suffer from early 2000s jank, they offer some of the most compelling and enthralling survival horror experiences. The worlds of the originalSTALKERgames are unparalleled when it comes to atmosphere and immersion, outside ofSTALKER 2, of course.
Is STALKER 2 Coming To PS5?
The next STALKER game comes out this November, but the game will only be available for Xbox and PC players for now, according to the developers.
BeforeSTAKER 2’sDLC drops,fans have the perfect opportunity to head back and try out the original experiences, especially now that they’ve all been remastered and ported to all modern hardware. It is even available on the Nintendo Switch for those who prefer to play it handheld. The collection comes with some enhancements and quality-of-life improvements that make it the definitive way to play those original games. Alternatively, each remastered game can be bought separately.
There is a narrative order in which the trilogy can be played, asClear Sky, the second game in the series is a prequel. However, it is better for players to play it in order of release:Shadow of Chernobyl,Clear Sky, and thenCall of Pripyat. This will still make sense despite the fact thatClear Skyis set beforeShadow of Chernobyl.
Some may worry that jumping back into the original games after benefiting from the innovations inSTALKER 2will be a jarring experience, but that is not really an issue. The games all share the same identity, so while the visuals may not be as impressive, the experience will be mostly the same. Ultimately, regardless of whether players decide to try the original trilogy first before jumping intoSTALKER 2, they are guaranteed to have an amazing time.
