The third and strongest instalment of GSC Sport World’s S.T.A.L.Okay.E.R. trilogy brings this wonderful set of Change remasters to a detailed. In some methods, it feels inaccurate to say Name of Prypiat is the very best of the three as a result of it so successfully capitalises on the groundwork laid by Shadow of Chornobyl, however it’s a superb, welcome return to atmospheric exploration and emergent horror, with a decreased concentrate on firefights.
An intro cinematic recaps the true and fictional occasions that led to the opening of the Zone’s mysterious centre. The navy has enacted ‘Mission Fairway’ to beat the opposite factions and attain the world first. Predictably, this does not go properly and Main Alexander Degtyarev, an ex-Stalker, is distributed to analyze crashed helicopters scattered throughout the Prypiat outskirts.
A big enchancment on the weaker however pleasurable Clear Sky, Name of Prypiat drops Main Degtyarev into the Zone’s northern reaches, with the liberty to sort out his targets in any order. As an alternative of bouncing round faction outposts, beset on all sides by gangs of trigger-happy Stalkers, Degtyarev finds allies and assets wherever he can. Faction teams are largely pleasant, with the odd bandit outpost to shake issues up (and exploit for riches).
The geography of this new space makes going off the overwhelmed observe extra of a temptation. Anomalies are evenly scattered, some containing the highly effective and worthwhile artefacts which are the lifeblood of each Stalker. As talked about, pleasant factions outweigh hostile ones, so there’s a lot extra alternative to get lore and aspect quests from teams you hit upon.
The Main’s journey in the direction of Prypiat re-emphasises one of many collection’ most partaking elements: horror. Whether or not discovering an outpost stuffed with zombie troopers, or sneaking previous a bunch of sleeping Bloodsuckers, atmospheric chills really feel like a precedence for GSC right here. There’s even a terrifying new enemy within the Burer, a hooded mutant with telekinetic powers and a penchant for posing as crying youngsters.
One other addition to the Zone’s perils this time round is emissions. Scripted occasions within the earlier two video games, these phenomena at the moment are randomised map killers that can wipe out Degtyarev and any NPC caught out within the open. Helpful map icons information you to cowl when an emission happens, however they’re nonetheless tense set items. A enjoyable aspect impact is discovering the corpses of hapless Stalkers who could not discover shelter in time…then looting them.
Name of Prypiat is probably the most refined expertise of the trilogy. Every part from the HUD to the survival mechanics has been optimised to present the very best expertise for would-be Stalkers. Seen standing icons and an on-screen quickslot view may have you going into menus much less regularly. The capturing remains to be improbable, with minor refinements of Chornobyl and Clear Sky’s system making this the smoothest bullet thrower of the bunch. It’s value noting that the beneficiant help choices current on these variations mitigate the collection’ infamous fiddly aiming.
Alas, one massive gripe stays for all three titles and that is textual content measurement. On handheld, this is not an excessive amount of of a problem, however on some shows you will be squinting to see the dialogue window’s contents. It is a holdover from the unique PC model of the video games and it is a disgrace that these genuinely nice remasters did not deal with this.
