S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl was a long time coming. After several years in development and countless delays, the title hit the shelves in March of last year, and, though its release was marred with a number of bugs, it also received some well-earned praise for its tense, atmospheric, and non-linear gameplay. Generally, the same can be said of its prequel “S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Clear Skies.” While not a masterpiece, its new and refined gameplay mechanics, as well as improved graphics offer another immersive, if buggy, foray into the world known as the Zone. If you enjoyed the first installment, you’ll be good to go with the newest addition to the franchise.

Clear Skies takes place one year prior to the events in the first title, and you play a hired gun charged with escorting a small group of scientists on an apparent research expedition. Unfortunately things get ugly and a particularly nasty anomaly wipes out most of your group, leaving you as the sole survivor. The game begins when you wake up in the titular faction’s camp, having been found unconscious after the anomaly subsided. Now that you’re back on your feet again, you’ve got some work to do before you fully understand what happened and why you were able to survive the event when others were not.

If you played the first title, you’ll be at home with Clear Skies. However, there are some new features this time around, like the introduction of faction wars and a new weapon upgrade system. First things first. As before, there are several factions you’ll encounter throughout your adventures in the Zone, but this time around you can play a larger part in the ongoing struggle for control of the Zone. For instance, you may be asked to help a small band from one faction to hit a camp belonging to a rival group. Successfully doing so will not only get you further into the good graces of those you’re assisting, but it also affords you better prices at faction merchants and provides access to guides who offer fast travel to pre-determined locations. This feature is well-implemented and adds additional variety to an already robust gaming experience. At times you may be taking a handful of enemies at a tiny camp in a remote area and at others there may be a sizable contingent at a well-fortified outpost. A new interface has been created that indicates both your standing with various factions, as well as each faction’s level of control.  

Another new feature is the weapon upgrade system, which allows you to improve certain parameters of your weapons, like accuracy, damage, range etc. You will have to visit friendly weapon mechanics and shell over some of your hard-earned currency in order to get the upgrades, but the system works well and is a much welcomed addition.

In an interesting and sometimes problematic move, GSC has decided to make artifacts invisible this time around. In order to locate them, you will have to use a detector. There are several detectors available, some more advanced than others. When you equip a basic detector, it will appear in your hand and give aural cues as you near an artifact. This change does add some adventure and difficulty to finding artifacts but it can also make doing so more frustrating, especially when there are multiple anomalies near a single artifact and you find yourself being torn shreds just as you’re closing in on the object.

The core gameplay remains that same as that found in S.T.A.L.K.E.R., but this time around the Zone is teeming with more enemies, both human and mutated, which makes moving through the Zone both more challenging and dangerous. This also makes the use of fast travel guides all the more tempting when you’re less interested in random firefights. Unlike before, however, enemies can use grenades and they often do take advantage of opportunities to do so. This definitely ups the ante in firefights, but it can get frustrating when you’re suddenly blown to bits by a grenade that you didn’t know had been flung your way. More realistic? Yes. More fun? It’s debatable. This means that Clear Skies is no pushover; veterans and rookies alike can expect a run for their money, especially in larger firefights. Gamers who prefer a more casual experience are likely to be frustrated and potentially put off by the higher challenge, but hardcore gamers looking for a challenge will find this title easier to love. The Zone is still an open world, however, one that rewards tactical foresight and stealth. Human enemies are still crack shots, so running head-first into firefights with multiple enemies is still not a good idea. Using the element of surprise, minimizing your exposure to angles of fire and managing your ammo are crucial to surviving encounters.

Another way in which GSC has upped the ante is to further improve the X-Ray engine’s graphic prowess. The first title offered pristine textures and a detailed, dilapidated world that bordered on post-apocalyptic. With DX10 effects enabled, Clear Skies offers incredible visuals, complete with volumetric rays from the sun and sharp real-time shadows. At their best, the visuals are simply breathtaking, not only because of the aforementioned effects but also because of the sheer level of detailed in everything from the architecture to the weapons you’ll come across. Be forewarned, though, you’ll need some serious hardware in order to run the game on its higher settings.

Despite the new additions to gameplay and improved visuals, Clear Skies is still a buggy release. Problems with enemies sometimes not responding to your presence, problems with some of the quests and crashes to desktop have been reported. To be fair, GSC is working on patching the problems, but be prepared for some frustration while you wait for future updates. Ultimately, the problems aren’t “gamebreakers,” but they mar what could have been a classic title.

Gameplay: 7.5
Buggy but generally solid shooting action that, like its predecessor, rewards forethought and sound tactics. The faction wars and weapon upgrade system are welcome and well-implemented additions.      

Graphics: 10 
On higher settings, the game is simply gorgeous. The visuals are on par with other current heavyweights in the genre.

Sound: 9.0
A subdued but eerily appropriate soundtrack plays its part well. Weapon effects are crisp and varied.

Difficulty: Medium to Hard
Enemies are plentiful and sometimes frustratingly good shots. Combine this with their ability to use grenades and you can have a serious challenge on your hands.  

Concept: 8.0
Solid ideas are at work in Clear Skies, though the bugs that surface can sometimes belie the team’s laudable vision and ambition.

Overall: 7.5
Though its release is marred by a number of bugs, Clear Skies is ultimately a worthy addition to your library. Casual gamers will find it harder to enjoy than those who are more hardcore, but there is still fun to be had in the hollowed-out, desolate locales of the Zone for those with the patience and a penchant for challenging gameplay.