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

A game based on a real event (yes, there is really a Chernobyl and therewas a nuclear accident there in 1986) can make for a good gaming experience,depending on how far from reality they get and how much stretching of theimagination you got going on. Don't get me wrong, I'm all up for some escapistgame play based on a hint of reality, it's just that at times the story line inSTALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl can be a bit hard to follow (you'll be like, o okin one breath and then be like, huh? in the next).Back to the game, the goal is to create a virtual world with an ecology allits own and then place you in the middle of it. You play as the Marked One(think Half-Life's Gordon Freeman's bastard brother). The game fast-forwardsthree years past the 1986 event where radioactive hotspots produce mutants(armed, of course) and an assortment of freaky stuff. You start off game playfiguring who you are and what the heck is going on at the zone's core.You are slowly drawn into the strange world that has emerged in the zonesince the famous nuclear accident put Chernobyl on the map.You battle the freakazoids that pop up with a vast array of weapontryincluding assault rifles, shotguns and pistols (the cool part is that afterbattle you can loot the dead for more weapons).The artificial intelligence in this games adds to game play, with mutantdogs choosing either to fight or flee based on the environment they are in andif they sense a vulnerability in your character. However, when confined to aspecific area, there is a frustrating lack of movement available to yourcharacter.The side quests are fun, but (SPOLER ALERT) there is nothing of value tobuy from them that you can't get for free with a little hard work in the courseof normal game play.Overall, STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl offers solid game play withimpressive environments and game play on par with the Half Life games. Enjoy!