In my neverending search for that 'perfect game', I've developed a certain taste for games.
I enjoy first person shooters.
I enjoy open-ended sandbox style games.
I enjoy games with quests that let me approach them in my own way, without limits or restrictions or anyone holding my hand.
Most of all, I absolutley love those games that just suck you in through immersion and atmosphere.
Stalker somehow manages to satisfy me on all of these points, while at the same time giving me even more to chew on.
The atmosphere is bleak and drab, with burnt down buildings and rusty cars, grey skies and rain, managing to make you feel lonley as hell, even when you're sitting around the fire with other fellow Stalkers.
Theres this heavy, opressive feeling of dread that weighs down on your shoulders at all times.
Its not scary in a cheap 'jump out and BOO' sort of way. It slowly builds up, until you find yourself purposfully thrusting yourself into every dark corner of the game, just wanting to get the scare over with.
Its even more drab and depressing than Fallout... but at the same time, life is all around you.
In this game, the environment isn't centered around you. Sure, theres' a few scripted events here and there to spice things up now and then, but for the most part.. you're not the one in control. You just happen to be a person tossed into a system thats already doing its thing, and doesn't care wether you're there or not.
Animals hunt each other. Other Stalkers trade and loot and fight for survival just like you are.
If you don't know what to play, and need an idea... or even if you haven't tried out this series before.. I highly recommend it.