Every STALKER Game, Ranked

The first three mainline S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Games were released one after the other from 2007 to 2009 — with the next mainline entry only being released 15 years later. The games give off an eerie, borderline claustrophobic sensation despite being open-world games. The games are set in the Exclusion Zone of the irradiated wasteland that is Chernobyl.

The games feature plenty of human enemies, but players must also face terrifying mutated horrors and deadly anomalies that can take them out in seconds. The games contain a deep well of lore and mystery to captivate players as they explore and fight through their terrifying world setting.

5 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky

More Immersive, But More Challenging

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky serves as a prequel to the first entry in the series. It provided several new features, as well as improvements to both the graphics and the atmosphere of the world. The game also provides various factions to interact with, just like in the first game. However, the player’s choices between these factions is far more important in Clear Sky, with said choices shaping the game world.

Many players felt that this game was far too hard, as enemies could hit players with precision accuracy. Death would occur from only a few hits. This, combined with technical issues, makes it a less enjoyable experience compared to other games in the series.

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

The Doom of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Games

• Developer: Qplaze
• Release: December 5, 2007
• Platforms: Java ME Devices

In addition to the mainline trilogy, there is also one official mobile game in the series. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Mobile released before the first commercial version of the Android Operating system. The game is not designed for smartphones, but rather cell phones. It visually resembles a 2D FPS, similar to the first Doom or Castle Wolfenstein games. There are plenty of NPCs and dialog for a narrative story, but the gameplay is not the same as the mainline entries.

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Instead, the game plays more like an arcade light-gun shooter. Enemies will pop out of cover for players to quickly dispatch as they progress through the game. This makes for an enjoyable game to this day, as players can accomplish short objectives while waiting in a line or commuting to work.

3 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

Not As Scary, But Well Polished

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is the last mainline entry before the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and takes place between the events of Shadow of Chernobyl and Heart of Chernobyl. The game is much more polished than Clear Sky, with improved stability and technical performance. This game dropped the faction mechanics of Clear Sky and made the difficulty curve much smoother. It features a high level of immersion and streamlined resource management.

While Call of Pripyat is a clear winner over Clear Sky, the game world does not pack the same punch as the first game, which gave off a very eerie presence and felt tense to explore. This game feels safer, and being scared of what might be lurking around is one of the many charms of the franchise.

2 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

An Eerie Trek Through the Unforgiving

Fallout 3 may have been first on the scene with a vast open-world post-apocalypse wasteland to explore, but it was an RPG through and through. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl made players feel far more vulnerable, putting them in a large open world with plenty of dangers around every corner without the feeling of being able to grow into an OP power house. Players cannot run in and take out a large group of enemies. They will need to use plenty of movement and awareness to survive all the dangers the game will throw their way.

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These dangers involve numerous different kinds of mutants and human enemies alike. Players that choose to engage every threat they come buy will find themselves struggling, as this will leave them with very little ammunition. Many fans still herald this game for the mystique of the world, and the narrative of its story — which provides plenty of tension and intrigue.

1 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl

The Modern Day S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Game

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is by far the most visually stunning game in the series, but the audio takes the game to the next level. Playing the game with a quality headset can cause a player to spin their head around looking for a bird that may have flown into their house, only to realize that it's the sound of a bird in the game. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Heart of Chornobyl is one of the most immersive marvels in modern-day gaming — both on the surface and moving underground.

There are a lot of games that will score higher than S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and feel a lot more polished overall. Veterans of the franchise may still regard the first game as the best due to its nostalgia factor, but players looking for the most S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Experience will find that this game hits harder than any of the past games by comparison.

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