STALKER: Clear Sky is the first chronological game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Franchise. While the first game did an incredible job of introducing players to the world and atmosphere of the franchise, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky gave the game several improvements. These include technical improvements and better visuals for elements such as smoke and weather.

These can be credited to the newer version of the X-Ray game engine that S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky had access to. Clear Sky also introduced an all-new Faction War system, where players could be locked out of helping major factions by siding with their enemies.

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What Factions Are in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky?

There are many different factions in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Franchise. However, players are not able to join all of them. In some cases, joining certain factions will make enemies of others. Here is a list of the various factions in the game.

While players will be able to make the choice of joining any of the other factions. Joining a faction means making enemies of another, so it is important to know what benefits come from joining.

Clear Sky

  • Enemy Faction: Renegades

Clear Sky is a scientific faction that wishes to study and control the Zone and its emissions. They believe the Zone is a man-made phenomenon, and should be studied and understood rather than controlled. Their numbers may be on the small side, but they are highly technical and well-organized.

We seek to understand the Zone, not conquer it.

Freedom

  • Enemy Faction: Duty

Freedom can be seen as a freedom fighter style faction that follows an anarchistic ideology. They are free thinkers who want the Zone open to everyone. They oppose the idea of assuming a militarized control of the Zone and fight against those trying to achieve such ambitions. They believe in unrestricted exploration and access. Joining up with Freedom is a good choice for players who want light gear and favor a sniper playstyle.

Duty

  • Enemy Faction: Freedom

Duty are militarized factions that seek to destroy the Zone. They see the Zone as a threat to everything — and everyone. They have a strict chain of command, combat training, and good gear to go into fights. Siding with this faction may mean becoming an enemy of Freedom, but it supplies players with some good gear for players that like to go loud and proud in heavy armor.

Bandits

  • Enemy Faction: The Loners

The Bandits act as a group of criminals, scavengers, and opportunists. This faction cares about profits, control of territory, and survival — even at the expense of others. While bandits may seem underequipped, they make up for it in numbers. Siding with the bandits means facing heavy conflict. Players that side with the bandits will gain unique upgrades to SEVA suits. This makes it a good choice for Artifact hunters.

Loners

  • Enemy Faction: The Bandits

The Bandits and the Loners stand on opposing sides. The Loners are similar to the Bandits, minus the inherent evil implications. They are scavengers and fortune-seekers, but not criminals. They don’t seek to control the Zone, but rather just live off it. This is a good choice for players that don’t want too much conflict in the game and access to lots of merchants.

Players will also encounter some other non-joinable groups in the game. These include the Military, Mercenaries, Renegades and Ecologists. The Ecologists are merely scientists, while the others will be strong opposing forces they can fight against. All of these factions return in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.

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Which Factions Should You Join in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky

Factions dynamically wage fights for control over territories, and players can influence which factions dominate which parts of the game’s map. Joining different factions means gaining access to different benefits and quests. However, it also means making enemies of other factions that will become hostile towards players. Players will not be able to get the full experience of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky from just one playthrough.

Luckily, players can experience every quest in the game in just 2 playthroughs.

Players should first decide if they like the sound of Freedom or Duty as a faction. Joining one of these will make the other their enemy. Players can switch factions down the line and can change to being part of either the Loners or the Bandits. Again, making the opposing side their enemy. For the second playthrough, choose the opposing sides from the first playthrough.

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky Tag Page Cover Art
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
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Released
September 15, 2008
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Developer(s)
GSC Game World
Genre(s)
Survival Horror, FPS, RPG