One of the most fascinating game experiences I have ever had. One I always go back to because it is so good. Because despite its flaws, this game is an absolute gem. Even to this day, no other open world has seemed so alive to me. And it's only getting better with time and the incredible work of the modding community.

If you're interested in the Stalker series, don't start with this one.

As a fan of the first game, I cannot recommend Clear Sky. Even if you have played the first one already, just replay it, play Call of Pripyat, mod them all you want but this...
Don't get me wrong, the first Stalker is among my favourite games ever. Never have I been so immersed in a world that felt alive, ruthless and scary. No other game world has captivated my imagination as well as this one, and yes, Shadow of Chernobyl has its flaws, it's buggy, broken, unfinished, but still... I played it 5 or 6 times, I always loved it, it's sometimes unforgiving but rarely feels unfair. Sure, it's got some scripted parts that feel annoying nowadays, because we've seen other games deal with this better. And yeah, it can be frustrating when you start with one of the worst handgun gaming's ever given you... But it's also generous in the experience it has to offer. It's quirky, curious, odd, funny, original...
Clear Sky, however... Well, let's say it's the same as the first one but with more scripted events, an AI that is very much cheated, more bugs (I spent half of the game unable to use grenades, I didn't even know why, and at one point I throw my primary weapon by accident and realise the grenades are back... What?), more brokenness, a storyline that isn't very engaging (although to be fair the story is not the forte of Shadow of Chernobyl), a faction system that doesn't really work, a trading system that is quite irrelevant (I played through the story and once you get to the second half of the game you won't ever see a trader again, no way to sell whatever you loot, so no money, so no better armour... What's the point?), and no real motivation to explore the different areas.
Yes, it still has the amazing game world, but it is much less interesting to roam around and certainly much less rewarding...

Maybe I should have modded it... Maybe... Or maybe I'll just stick to the first one because it still fascinates me after all these years.

This game opens a door to a brief part of the history of Iran. Focussing on Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh and his time as prime minister of the country, the game offers simple puzzles to and a summary of Mossadegh's struggle. The elegant art reminds of paper collages, illustrated headlines of the significant moments of Mossadegh's time in the government.
Very interesting piece of work.