Atmosphere: The Zone feels alive and terrifying. With unpredictable weather, haunting sounds, and deadly anomalies, the environment keeps you on edge.
Faction System: One of the coolest additions. You can align with different factions, making each playthrough feel unique. But beware—it’s a double-edged sword. Enemies you make won’t forget your actions.
Upgraded Weapon System: The weapon upgrades are well-integrated and add depth to combat, allowing you to customize your guns to fit your play style.


Brutal Difficulty: Even for veterans, the difficulty spike can be jarring. Expect to die... a lot. A lack of balance can make some sections feel frustrating rather than fun, especially in early-game skirmishes.
Buggy at Launch: Though many patches have improved it, Clear Sky still has its share of bugs and performance issues that can interrupt the experience. Consider modding if you're running into trouble.
Weak Storytelling: While the setting is intriguing, the storyline itself doesn’t have the same impact as Shadow of Chernobyl. Character motivations sometimes feel shallow, and it’s easy to lose track of the main plot.

Overall: If you loved Shadow of Chernobyl and want to dive deeper into the world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Clear Sky is worth it. Just be prepared for a fight—this game doesn’t hold your hand. It's a love letter to hardcore survival fans and those who want to experience the bleak, punishing beauty of the Zone.

6/10

Nothing ever, even endless grenade spam, gave me more PTSD than emission sounds here.

cheeki breeki