Even though I never played the previous iterations, I’ve always found the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. storyline to be interesting. Set in an alternate timeline where the effects of the Chernobyl meltdown didn’t end with the evacuation of the town, you take on the role of an undercover agent who has assimilated with the treasure hunters of Chernobyl, known as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.S. I don’t want to give away too much given that the story is one of the primary drivers of the game, but, stepping into the series for the first time, I didn’t really feel lost or confused by the game’s complex story.

Sadly, I did feel lost and confused numerous times during my play through. Lacking much of a tutorial, the game leaves it up to you to figure out many of the game’s essential components. While a quick look at the control scheme will solve some of your problems, those of us to proud to ask for assistance will orphan countless NPC children in attempt to trade with their father. The worst part about it is that you’ll have an easier time killing your stoic teammates than you will enemies. Featuring probably the worst recoil in a game to date, you’ll never have to aim upwards while firing an automatic weapon. Simply hold your mouse button for two seconds and you’ll be firing at the clouds flanking on your six. All sarcasm aside, I started using a knife instead of an automatic weapon shortly into the first level. It’s that bad.

As Cormack McCarthy brilliantly showed us in The Road, finding resources in a post-apocalyptic society is rare and scavenging is essential. You’ll find yourself debating with yourself on completing side-missions due to the hit it will take on your supplies, and the game makes you weigh these decisions beautifully. Also, I applaud the developers for providing us with a large world to explore supplies for. If you like the standard multiplayer matches that have become a staple in every PC game (FFA, Team Deathmatch, etc.), then feel free to take  the dilemma and battle online in one of the game’s four standard multiplayer modes.

Don’t get me wrong, Call of Pripyat has more going for it than I originally insinuated at the beginning of the article, but most will have problems getting to a point where they truly enjoy the title. The game’s beautiful graphics take a mammoth of a machine to run properly, and the game’s underwhelming sound design leaves a gaping hole in the presentation. Only diehard S.T.A.L.K.E.R. should consider purchasing the title at retail price.