"Sid Meier's Railroads!" Review (PC)
From Courtney Marchelletta
Publisher: 2K
Developer: Firaxis
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone, Alcohol Reference
Genre: Strategy
Release Date: October 2006
Pros:
* Addictive
* Multiple scenarios & options
* Online play
* Depth of gameplay
Cons:
* Few graphical bugs
"Sid Meier's Railroads!" Features
* Connect cities and industries by laying track and setting up train routes to pick up products.
* Buy stock in your company and the competition, with the hopes of eventually buying them out.
* Play single player mode against up to 4 computer players, or play online against other gamers.
* Buy city industries and increase your profits.
* Scenarios in single player mode maps and cities can be randomized, multiple routing difficulty levels, and pick up to 4 AI players compete against.
* Historically accurate trains, available as they were released.
* Buy patents on technology that will give you the upper hand.
* Personalize trains with a custom logo and colors.
Connecting cities together by railway may not sound like the best way to spend a night of gaming. Maybe it wouldn't have been in the past. "Sid Meier's Railroads" is a breath of fresh that proves some concepts do get better with time.
Getting goods to where they will make you the most money by train, and putting the competition out of business are the ultimate goals of "Sid Meier's Railroads!" Your railroad empire is built by laying track so trains can run efficiently, while having enough track to keep trafficked areas from becoming congested. This is primarily done by adding a second (or third) track next to the first track laid down.
Where you decide to build tracks and stations depends on the goods you want to transport. Some goods can be transported directly from city to city, like people and mail. Other products are made from gold or coal that need to be transported from mines to cities that turn the raw materials into a good that is in demand. In turn, the good created (food for example) will need to be transported to another city (not all cities demand or want all the same goods). This long line of transfer of resources can become complicated and difficult (and expensive) to route. Too add more chaos, you chose how many and which cargo cars each train brings with them from city to city.
While this assembly line of movement, can become overwhelming if you try to do too much. The key is to find the good that will make you the most money. The markets for goods is always changing. The price of products is not going to stay the same. Get in when it's low and get out before you start losing money. And yes, there are plenty of resources to keep the game interesting. I frequently changed what I was transporting based on the growth and demand of the cities.
Speaking of getting in low... Stocks play a role in how successful you will be. You can buy (or sell) stock in your own company or the competition. To get rid of the competition you'll have to buy them out. Sometimes buying stock in the competition is part of a scenario's objects.
Scenarios offer a long list of goals to be meet by specific years. The objectives range from buying stock to helping a city grow to a new level. Often times with scenarios, they can become dull and repetitive. This is not the case with "Railroads." Randomization of city locations and maps, along with the fact that there is no way one to win keeps the game interest and adds to the replay value.
Scenarios and online play will add to the replay value, along with the four routing difficulty level settings. For a beginner, the routing can be set to an easy level that will allow a train to cross each other on one track. Harder levels require you have the track needed for the trains to travel.
"Sid Meier's Railroads!" has the depth, addictive gameplay, replay value, and range of options to make it a must-have for gamers, especially those who love management sims (like "SimCity"). It is a game that has the power to stick around and will continue to be played even months after it is released.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Here Wii Go! Wii Sports Are Great!
By Ty Maier
There are five sports simulations in Wii Sports. They are:
* Tennis - Player character movement is controlled by the computer. The game is controlled by the player performing realistic tennis swings. Multiplayer is supported for up to 4 players, requiring one remote per player.
* Baseball - One player stands at home plate, and the other is the pitcher. Batters grip and swing the controller like a bat, trying to time their swings correctly. When pitching, players can choose different types of pitches, activated by pressing one or more of the Wii Remote's buttons (A, B, or A+B) or by changing to underarm pitching by pressing the 2 button. The pitch types are screwball, curveball, splitter and fastball. If there is only one player, the opposing team is computer controlled. The game lasts 3 innings with the mercy rule ending the game early if one player leads by 5 runs. Multiplayer is supported with each team taking turns batting/ pitching in the same way as playing against the computer. The maximum possible amount of players are two. Two remotes are required for multiplayer.
* Golf - In Golf, the player can choose the appropriate strength with which to swing. The player can adjust the direction of the play as well as which club to use. After each swing, the player moves to the ball's new location and swings again. The faster the player swings the controller, the further the ball will fly. Swinging the controller too fast will cause the ball to slice or hook, and the player controls the direction with the + pad. Putting requires more delicacy. Nine of the eighteen holes from Golf are included. Multiplayer with up to four people is supported with one (or more) Wii Remote(s).
* Boxing - This is the only Wii Sports title to use both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk attachment. The player holds the Wii Remote in one hand and the Nunchuk in the other and jabs to punch (quick flicks of the wrist are most effective). Raising both controllers blocks punches from the opponent, and moving the Wii Remote and Nunchuk moves the players fists. Moving the controllers from side to side and backward and forward causes the character to lean appropriately. A health meter is displayed next to the boxers. With each successful hit, health is deducted. When all health is depleted the player is knocked down. The player may then rise, with a partially refilled health meter. After being knocked down several times, the player will stay down, and the referee will declare "knockout". If the player is not hit for some time, or when the player is knocked out by shaking both the remote and the Nunchuk, the health restores. More powerful punches come from counterpunching. Multiplayer with up to two people is supported (but requires two Wii Remotes with Nunchuk attachments).
* Bowling - In Bowling, the player swings the controller backward and then forward to bowl the ball. Spin can be put on the ball by tilting the controller. Many Easter eggs exist in this game, including the ball bouncing if the player delays his/her release[2], making the ball fall back towards the crowd, and bowling off onto another lane[3]. Multiplayer with up to four people is supported with one (or more) Wii Remote(s).
After every game, a player is awarded (or penalized) skill points based on how well they played. Once a player has 1000 skill points in a certain sport, they are considered pro level, and often awarded with cosmetic features (a Pro bowler has stars on their bowling ball). Also a Mii newly turned pro will receive a message on the Wii's message board notifying them. Baseball and Boxing do not reward or subtract points during multiplayer games. Points can be earned in multiplayer tennis matches, on the condition that the two players are on the same team against the computer. Presumably this is done to curb cheating where a human player could deliberately lose to another human and artificially boost the winner's skill points.
The Author Ty Maier is the owner of the well established http://www.wii-planet.us/ Great info on Wii Sports.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ty_Maier
By Ty Maier
There are five sports simulations in Wii Sports. They are:
* Tennis - Player character movement is controlled by the computer. The game is controlled by the player performing realistic tennis swings. Multiplayer is supported for up to 4 players, requiring one remote per player.
* Baseball - One player stands at home plate, and the other is the pitcher. Batters grip and swing the controller like a bat, trying to time their swings correctly. When pitching, players can choose different types of pitches, activated by pressing one or more of the Wii Remote's buttons (A, B, or A+B) or by changing to underarm pitching by pressing the 2 button. The pitch types are screwball, curveball, splitter and fastball. If there is only one player, the opposing team is computer controlled. The game lasts 3 innings with the mercy rule ending the game early if one player leads by 5 runs. Multiplayer is supported with each team taking turns batting/ pitching in the same way as playing against the computer. The maximum possible amount of players are two. Two remotes are required for multiplayer.
* Golf - In Golf, the player can choose the appropriate strength with which to swing. The player can adjust the direction of the play as well as which club to use. After each swing, the player moves to the ball's new location and swings again. The faster the player swings the controller, the further the ball will fly. Swinging the controller too fast will cause the ball to slice or hook, and the player controls the direction with the + pad. Putting requires more delicacy. Nine of the eighteen holes from Golf are included. Multiplayer with up to four people is supported with one (or more) Wii Remote(s).
* Boxing - This is the only Wii Sports title to use both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk attachment. The player holds the Wii Remote in one hand and the Nunchuk in the other and jabs to punch (quick flicks of the wrist are most effective). Raising both controllers blocks punches from the opponent, and moving the Wii Remote and Nunchuk moves the players fists. Moving the controllers from side to side and backward and forward causes the character to lean appropriately. A health meter is displayed next to the boxers. With each successful hit, health is deducted. When all health is depleted the player is knocked down. The player may then rise, with a partially refilled health meter. After being knocked down several times, the player will stay down, and the referee will declare "knockout". If the player is not hit for some time, or when the player is knocked out by shaking both the remote and the Nunchuk, the health restores. More powerful punches come from counterpunching. Multiplayer with up to two people is supported (but requires two Wii Remotes with Nunchuk attachments).
* Bowling - In Bowling, the player swings the controller backward and then forward to bowl the ball. Spin can be put on the ball by tilting the controller. Many Easter eggs exist in this game, including the ball bouncing if the player delays his/her release[2], making the ball fall back towards the crowd, and bowling off onto another lane[3]. Multiplayer with up to four people is supported with one (or more) Wii Remote(s).
After every game, a player is awarded (or penalized) skill points based on how well they played. Once a player has 1000 skill points in a certain sport, they are considered pro level, and often awarded with cosmetic features (a Pro bowler has stars on their bowling ball). Also a Mii newly turned pro will receive a message on the Wii's message board notifying them. Baseball and Boxing do not reward or subtract points during multiplayer games. Points can be earned in multiplayer tennis matches, on the condition that the two players are on the same team against the computer. Presumably this is done to curb cheating where a human player could deliberately lose to another human and artificially boost the winner's skill points.
The Author Ty Maier is the owner of the well established http://www.wii-planet.us/ Great info on Wii Sports.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ty_Maier
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Top 10 PlayStation 2 Games of 2006
From Roger Altizer
It was a grand year for PlayStation fans. We saw some of the greatest PS2 games to date, and a little thing called the PS3.
Here we have the creme de la creme of PS2 games. Each game represents the best of its genre, and then they are ranked against each other.
The toughest part about this year's list? Picking the best PS2 game of the year. It was tight between the top three, but in the end, I think I made the right call.
Whether or not you agree with my ranking, all ten of these PS2 games are must have titles, and you could do worse than playing any of them.
1) Okami - Game of the Year
Okami is not only my pick for game of the year, but I'm going to have to re-rank my top 10 PS2 games of all time list, as this game deserves a top spot in any one's collection. It is one of the most original, beautiful games ever created on any system. The unique art style, the calligraphy, the characters... this videogame made me want to move back to Japan. Okami is simply stunning, both to watch and play. Rated: Teen
2) Guitar Hero II - Music Game of the Year
It was a tough call. I'm going to have some very upset friends over my not picking Guitar Hero II as my game of the year. To be fair, if I chose a multiplayer or party game of the year, this would be it. Guitar Hero was superb, and Guitar Hero II is better. Now you can play lead, rhythm, and bass, as well as unlock a slew of new items. And you can play the Trogdor song, for real. Rock on! Rated: Everyone
3) Final Fantasy XII - Role Playing Game of the Year
Final Fantasy XII is a the epitome of excellence. From the totally overhauled combat system (no more turn-based random encounters) to the jaw dropping visuals and intriguing story, Final Fantasy XII shines in every area. The game is long, as a FF game should be, and it can be tough, but this is the standard that all RPG games should be held up against. There were some Final Fantasy XII haters out there. But I think time will silence their criticism, as this will be remembered as one of the great PS2 games. Rated: Teen
4) Bully - Sandbox Game of the Year
Bully was nowhere near as offensive as the Jack Thompson and other game haters of the world would have you believe. But it was more entertaining than any of us expected. This Grand Theft Auto meets Private School was more tongue in cheek than Glock in hand. While it was irreverent, it was goon natured about it, and provided one of the most fun gameplay experiences of the year. Rated: Teen
5) Black - Shooter of the Year
Black is what Killzone was supposed to be, the great PS2 shooter. While not an exclusive, Black did prove that you can do high end, fast, 3D animation on the PS2. This shooter looked amazing. It was a touch short, and relied heavily on the single player experience. Yet Black seemed to come from nowhere and provide an amazing action packed gun-fest. Rated: Mature
6) Tourist Trophy - Racing Game of the Year
It's Gran Turismo on two wheels. Polyphony did an amazing job at providing the ultimate motorcycle simulation. From correct physics to realistic sounds, this is as close as you or I will ever get to a professional motorbike racing experience. Rated: Everyone
7) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 - Fighting Game of the Year
Yeah, I hear you. A Dragon Ball Z Game? I know there have been a million mediocre ones out there, but this one is different, I promise. Not only is this the best looking DBZ game, with well over 100 playable characters to boot!, it actually plays well. From toppling buildings, to fighting in true 3D. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 raises the games to the level of the anime: wacky and fun. Rated: Teen
8) Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams - Action Game of the Year
Capcom took their popular Samurai action adventure game in a new direction with a more stylistic, and possibly gory, version of medieval Japan. The game takes place 15 years after Onimusha 3, and provides us with new villains and heroes. If you didn't play the other three, this is the perfect place to jump into the Onimusha world, if you dare. Rated: Mature
9) Sega Genesis Collection - Retro Videogame Compilation of the Year
This is the first time I've ever put a collection of retro games on a top ten list, but there has never been a collection like this before. Yes, the production values are high, with killer menus, museum artifacts, unlock-ables (games!), and interviews, but what makes this one so special? The games are really, really, good. Finally some 2D Sonic the Hedgehog action, a little Altered Beast, some Gain Ground (my favorite Genesis game, ever), and 25 other amazing titles. The Sega Genesis Collection was a bit like getting every Christmas present I ever wanted as a kid, on one DVD. Rated: Teen (but appropriate for Everyone)
10) NFL Head Coach - Sports Game of the Year
Being a geek, I enjoy coaching in Madden even more than playing the game. I love calling the plays, and watching them go. So NFL Head Coach was a dream come true for me. It is the deepest football game ever created, and the perfect title for stats junkies and fantasy football addicts. It's not about skill, this time it's about strategy. This was a surprisingly deep game that I pray makes a return next year. Rated: Everyone
From Roger Altizer
It was a grand year for PlayStation fans. We saw some of the greatest PS2 games to date, and a little thing called the PS3.
Here we have the creme de la creme of PS2 games. Each game represents the best of its genre, and then they are ranked against each other.
The toughest part about this year's list? Picking the best PS2 game of the year. It was tight between the top three, but in the end, I think I made the right call.
Whether or not you agree with my ranking, all ten of these PS2 games are must have titles, and you could do worse than playing any of them.
1) Okami - Game of the Year
Okami is not only my pick for game of the year, but I'm going to have to re-rank my top 10 PS2 games of all time list, as this game deserves a top spot in any one's collection. It is one of the most original, beautiful games ever created on any system. The unique art style, the calligraphy, the characters... this videogame made me want to move back to Japan. Okami is simply stunning, both to watch and play. Rated: Teen
2) Guitar Hero II - Music Game of the Year
It was a tough call. I'm going to have some very upset friends over my not picking Guitar Hero II as my game of the year. To be fair, if I chose a multiplayer or party game of the year, this would be it. Guitar Hero was superb, and Guitar Hero II is better. Now you can play lead, rhythm, and bass, as well as unlock a slew of new items. And you can play the Trogdor song, for real. Rock on! Rated: Everyone
3) Final Fantasy XII - Role Playing Game of the Year
Final Fantasy XII is a the epitome of excellence. From the totally overhauled combat system (no more turn-based random encounters) to the jaw dropping visuals and intriguing story, Final Fantasy XII shines in every area. The game is long, as a FF game should be, and it can be tough, but this is the standard that all RPG games should be held up against. There were some Final Fantasy XII haters out there. But I think time will silence their criticism, as this will be remembered as one of the great PS2 games. Rated: Teen
4) Bully - Sandbox Game of the Year
Bully was nowhere near as offensive as the Jack Thompson and other game haters of the world would have you believe. But it was more entertaining than any of us expected. This Grand Theft Auto meets Private School was more tongue in cheek than Glock in hand. While it was irreverent, it was goon natured about it, and provided one of the most fun gameplay experiences of the year. Rated: Teen
5) Black - Shooter of the Year
Black is what Killzone was supposed to be, the great PS2 shooter. While not an exclusive, Black did prove that you can do high end, fast, 3D animation on the PS2. This shooter looked amazing. It was a touch short, and relied heavily on the single player experience. Yet Black seemed to come from nowhere and provide an amazing action packed gun-fest. Rated: Mature
6) Tourist Trophy - Racing Game of the Year
It's Gran Turismo on two wheels. Polyphony did an amazing job at providing the ultimate motorcycle simulation. From correct physics to realistic sounds, this is as close as you or I will ever get to a professional motorbike racing experience. Rated: Everyone
7) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 - Fighting Game of the Year
Yeah, I hear you. A Dragon Ball Z Game? I know there have been a million mediocre ones out there, but this one is different, I promise. Not only is this the best looking DBZ game, with well over 100 playable characters to boot!, it actually plays well. From toppling buildings, to fighting in true 3D. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 raises the games to the level of the anime: wacky and fun. Rated: Teen
8) Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams - Action Game of the Year
Capcom took their popular Samurai action adventure game in a new direction with a more stylistic, and possibly gory, version of medieval Japan. The game takes place 15 years after Onimusha 3, and provides us with new villains and heroes. If you didn't play the other three, this is the perfect place to jump into the Onimusha world, if you dare. Rated: Mature
9) Sega Genesis Collection - Retro Videogame Compilation of the Year
This is the first time I've ever put a collection of retro games on a top ten list, but there has never been a collection like this before. Yes, the production values are high, with killer menus, museum artifacts, unlock-ables (games!), and interviews, but what makes this one so special? The games are really, really, good. Finally some 2D Sonic the Hedgehog action, a little Altered Beast, some Gain Ground (my favorite Genesis game, ever), and 25 other amazing titles. The Sega Genesis Collection was a bit like getting every Christmas present I ever wanted as a kid, on one DVD. Rated: Teen (but appropriate for Everyone)
10) NFL Head Coach - Sports Game of the Year
Being a geek, I enjoy coaching in Madden even more than playing the game. I love calling the plays, and watching them go. So NFL Head Coach was a dream come true for me. It is the deepest football game ever created, and the perfect title for stats junkies and fantasy football addicts. It's not about skill, this time it's about strategy. This was a surprisingly deep game that I pray makes a return next year. Rated: Everyone
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl Review (PC)
From Michael Klappenbach
After nearly six years in the making, the first person thriller S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl has finally been released. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a first person shooter/role playing survival game that places you in the horrific aftermath of the nuclear disaster. At it's core S.T.A.L.K.E.R. should appeal to many FPS fans and while it does have some minor game play and storyline flaws, it does a very nice job of creating an immersive and open ended game world.
Pros
* Unique setting and immersive game world
* Open ended game play
* Large variety of options, gadgets, and weapons.
Cons
* Bugs, bugs, bugs.
* Storyline doesn't hold together very well.
* Even at novice level, Combat and AI can often be too challenging.
Storyline
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl is set in the aftermath of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in the Ukraine. After a fictional second explosion at Chernobyl, the land surrounding the nuclear plant has become a wasteland know as the Zone, where mutant creatures and humans roam and the laws of nature no longer apply. Taking on the role of a Stalker, you travel into the Zone in search of artifacts for trade and sale with the black market dealers and scientists who live on the fringe of the Zone.
The storyline for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is quite open ended and the game world is truly immersive. Hours can be spent going through seemingly countless side quests and missions you sometimes forget that there is actually a main objective that you'll need to accomplish in order to eventually move the story along. In the case of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. getting to the end of the game doesn't necessarily mean you've succeeded or won. In fact it could mean just the opposite, actions taken throughout the game are not independent of each other and they can have consequences that can ultimately lead to failure in the end.
In total the single player campaign, on average, should provide about 15-20 hours of game play but the length can vary widely and depend greatly on the number of side quests and actions players decided upon.
Features & Game play
From the start you can tell that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. doesn't play as many typical first person games. The game play is often mixed with action, investigation/strategy and some role playing game elements. It's this even blend of game play elements that help make S.T.A.L.K.E.R. stand out as a memorable game. The vastness of the maps and environments coupled with the multiple game paths make the replability of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. very high.
The main tools at your disposal in your career as a Stalker are the inventory system and your PDA. It's good to start learning the controls and getting use to going back and forth between the two in preparation for later in the game when the speed at which you can navigate them really matters.
The inventory system is similar to those found in games such as Neverwinter Nights and Titan Quest, you're limited in what you can carry both in terms of weight and volume. Visiting the inventory screen to swap out items is a necessity and done on a regular basis. The PDA connects you to the game world around you. It contains a navigation map that helps point you in the right direction, objective and side quest details, other Stalker profiles, and much more.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. however is far from perfect. This list of reported bugs is very long, GSC Game World has released a patch that fixes many of the major issues but most likely more will need to be released before it's a more stable game. Some of the major bugs included numerous game crashes, corrupt save/load functionality and in game buttons that function incorrectly.
Graphics & Sound
While the graphics for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. may not be on par with some other games on the market in regards to pixel shading but they are still very realistic and do a wonderful job of setting the mood and atmosphere of a post nuclear disaster area. In particular, the character models are nicely done with very detailed features and fluid life-like movements. The sound and sound effects are also very nicely done and adds that extra element to the overall feel of the game.
Bottom Line
The many bugs found in the retail release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. are concerning but many of them can not be fixed by installing the latest patch. Overall, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl takes you on wild journey with many twists and turns, which may or may not lead to success, but in the end it delivers an immersive gaming experience that is well worth replaying to discover the alternate endings and side quests.
From Michael Klappenbach
After nearly six years in the making, the first person thriller S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl has finally been released. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a first person shooter/role playing survival game that places you in the horrific aftermath of the nuclear disaster. At it's core S.T.A.L.K.E.R. should appeal to many FPS fans and while it does have some minor game play and storyline flaws, it does a very nice job of creating an immersive and open ended game world.
Pros
* Unique setting and immersive game world
* Open ended game play
* Large variety of options, gadgets, and weapons.
Cons
* Bugs, bugs, bugs.
* Storyline doesn't hold together very well.
* Even at novice level, Combat and AI can often be too challenging.
Storyline
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl is set in the aftermath of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in the Ukraine. After a fictional second explosion at Chernobyl, the land surrounding the nuclear plant has become a wasteland know as the Zone, where mutant creatures and humans roam and the laws of nature no longer apply. Taking on the role of a Stalker, you travel into the Zone in search of artifacts for trade and sale with the black market dealers and scientists who live on the fringe of the Zone.
The storyline for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is quite open ended and the game world is truly immersive. Hours can be spent going through seemingly countless side quests and missions you sometimes forget that there is actually a main objective that you'll need to accomplish in order to eventually move the story along. In the case of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. getting to the end of the game doesn't necessarily mean you've succeeded or won. In fact it could mean just the opposite, actions taken throughout the game are not independent of each other and they can have consequences that can ultimately lead to failure in the end.
In total the single player campaign, on average, should provide about 15-20 hours of game play but the length can vary widely and depend greatly on the number of side quests and actions players decided upon.
Features & Game play
From the start you can tell that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. doesn't play as many typical first person games. The game play is often mixed with action, investigation/strategy and some role playing game elements. It's this even blend of game play elements that help make S.T.A.L.K.E.R. stand out as a memorable game. The vastness of the maps and environments coupled with the multiple game paths make the replability of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. very high.
The main tools at your disposal in your career as a Stalker are the inventory system and your PDA. It's good to start learning the controls and getting use to going back and forth between the two in preparation for later in the game when the speed at which you can navigate them really matters.
The inventory system is similar to those found in games such as Neverwinter Nights and Titan Quest, you're limited in what you can carry both in terms of weight and volume. Visiting the inventory screen to swap out items is a necessity and done on a regular basis. The PDA connects you to the game world around you. It contains a navigation map that helps point you in the right direction, objective and side quest details, other Stalker profiles, and much more.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. however is far from perfect. This list of reported bugs is very long, GSC Game World has released a patch that fixes many of the major issues but most likely more will need to be released before it's a more stable game. Some of the major bugs included numerous game crashes, corrupt save/load functionality and in game buttons that function incorrectly.
Graphics & Sound
While the graphics for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. may not be on par with some other games on the market in regards to pixel shading but they are still very realistic and do a wonderful job of setting the mood and atmosphere of a post nuclear disaster area. In particular, the character models are nicely done with very detailed features and fluid life-like movements. The sound and sound effects are also very nicely done and adds that extra element to the overall feel of the game.
Bottom Line
The many bugs found in the retail release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. are concerning but many of them can not be fixed by installing the latest patch. Overall, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl takes you on wild journey with many twists and turns, which may or may not lead to success, but in the end it delivers an immersive gaming experience that is well worth replaying to discover the alternate endings and side quests.
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