We are all eagerly awaiting S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. The entire world is waiting for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Yes, there’s not much time left. However, for those who can’t wait and for those who have grown tired of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., even with modifications, we present a list of games about Chornobyl and related themes. While these games won’t replace S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, they may help make the wait for the new release a little easier.
You Are Empty
I can’t help but start the list with a game that once aimed to be the “killer” of Half-Life 2. This game was developed by the Ukrainian studios Mandel ArtPlains and Digital Spray Studios. As a result, you can easily recognize some levels featuring Khreshchatyk and the stations of the Kyiv Metro.
This perfectly fits into the overall bleak picture of a post-apocalyptic communist megacity. It’s a city that hasn’t completely collapsed yet but is already inhabited by beings other than humans. This is the main advantage of You Are Empty—no part of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. offers such a feeling. However, keep in mind that it is a linear shooter, reminiscent of Half-Life 2, and can be completed in about 4-5 hours on the highest difficulty.
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Call of Duty / Сounter-Strike 2
For those interested in playing with friends or other players, and find the multiplayer in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. lacking, take a look at these two games. Either one would suffice. They are not the only games featuring the theme of bleak Pripyat or even just atomic stations on multiplayer maps (for some, that’s enough). In these games, you can create a server with a single map and play on it with bots, friends, or strangers.
In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered, there is an official map called Bloc, while Counter-Strike 2 features two maps—Nuke and Cache. Both games offer the option to create custom servers and add bots, allowing for a tailored multiplayer experience.
It’s important to note that in Modern Warfare, using bots does not contribute to weapon progression. However, you can use new weapons in cooperative play. Additionally, in custom tournaments, unlike official ones, you have the flexibility to allow various cheats and modifications.
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Chernobylite 1/2
This project comes from the Polish studio The Farm 51, well-known for its previous works related to Chornobyl, including the 2016 virtual tour, Chornobyl VR Project. Chernobylite is quite a unique project that successfully combines survival FPS, base building, and… a social element.
However, this is both a strength and a weakness. You should understand that, due to the combination of genres, Chernobylite offers a completely different experience compared to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The atmosphere is even different. That said, it doesn’t prevent the game from being an engaging and deep project. The sequel, Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone, is set to release in 2025 and is expected to be even better than its predecessor.
Of course, there are many more games about Chornobyl. So, let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations!
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