S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl - The Return of the Scar [Part 1] (2012) PC

So, we have a new game in front of us - the next part of the sensational Strugatsky saga and the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. book series "Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl - The Return of the Scar [Part 1]". Players probably remember the consequences of the Chernobyl accident and all the real and fantasy versions of its terrible consequences. So, welcome to the "Zone" once again.

For those who are playing for the first time

The peaceful idyll of Chernobyl was disrupted by the explosion of a nuclear power plant, populating the once peaceful land with creepy monsters and embittering people who are now forced not to live, but to survive. However, the lost place gave rise to a ton of valuable artifacts, the sale of which brings a lot of income, which is used by stalkers – former soldiers. They are decently equipped and go there to earn money.  One of the main characters is the stalker Scar, who not only earns money, but also cannot live without a "Zone", he is drawn into all these messes, and therefore dies at the end of the game Clear Sky.

Here's a new twist or the good old Scar will live on

The developers have been thinking for a long time and decided to bring back to life the Scar stalker, who was loved by the last game. At the very beginning of the storyline, he manages to survive after a hellish explosion. Why is a mystery shrouded in darkness, but only the result is important to us – the scar will live when it recovers from damage.

Good news

Taking into account the wishes of the fans of the game, the developers presented a surprise – they completely rebuilt the locations and changed their content. Now it's not just "hit and destroy, then pick something up or bring it", but interesting and challenging missions with a more peaceful and thoughtful character. While our main character is being treated, surviving after the explosion, the Zone changes its appearance beyond recognition – monsters have gained new abilities, and new gangs have appeared among people. 

The zone is dominated by three main groups:

1. The owners are the most powerful organization that has crushed scientists, is more or less neutral towards mercenaries, spaypers and zombie stalkers.
2. Witches, they are also snipers, a women's group that recognizes only mercenaries and masters, can not but please the guy players.
3. Strela is a military under contract, whose main task is to clean up the Zone, they treat only their own well.

No one in the Zone, except for the mother Zone itself, does not like poor simple single stalkers, so the Scar, waking up after the explosion, falls "out of the fire and into the flames."   

All the same flying nostalgic atmosphere

The atmosphere is preserved in the game - the good old entourage in the style of "romance of the beloved rusty Zaporozhets".  Everywhere you look, old monotonous skyscrapers in a dilapidated state successfully coexist with collapsed village houses and crooked blue fences. Almost retro cars are located nearby, and near typical new buildings, vacant lots harmoniously coexist, on which the withered grass sways harmoniously. Everything is really exactly as IT WAS THEN! Welcome to the Dead City location.

Also added are creepy mines and the theme "Generators", where flashes, emissions and radiation of a psychic nature incompatible with life occur. The authors removed the excessive bloody mess from the constantly advancing crowds of monsters, but in order for life not to seem like raspberries, they introduced an innovation. From now on, the sleeping bag can not be placed everywhere, you will have to think in advance about a suitable place to sleep. By the way, the food is now spoiling, which adds to the problems, but also enhances realism.

A powerful arsenal

The weapon has been modified "conscientiously". The characteristics inspire respect, here you have wear and tear, and the spread of bullets, and a variety of damage. Some models may even jam, especially if they are old "hole makers", other modern varieties are equipped with different gadgets (optics, removable under-barrel grenade launchers, etc.)

Positive:

1. Atmosphere.
2. Improved realism.
3. The choice of weapons.
4. High-quality smart quests.
5. Adding ladies.
6. Removed the unnecessary and senseless bloody mess.
7. Scenes of stalkers' conversations around the campfire.

Minuses:

This time there were no minuses noticed.

As a result, we received an improved intellectual shooter from the first person, bringing us as close as possible to the realities of the Chernobyl disaster period. Once again, welcome