Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat picks up two weeks after the events of Shadow of Chernobyl, casting you as Major Alexander Degtyarev undercover among the stalkers. From the outset you are granted remarkable freedom: explore three large, interconnected zones, tackle missions in any order and pursue hidden artifacts at your own pace. Main objectives center on uncovering the mystery behind five crashed military helicopters, but countless side quests await — each handcrafted and free of strict time limits (though NPCs may complete jobs if you dawdle).

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The game’s core loop remains faithful to the series formula: scavenge equipment, fight mutants and rival factions, track down anomalies, and upgrade your gear. New to Call of Pripyat are two fearsome creatures, the psionic Burer and hulking Chimera, while your arsenal expands with a semi-automatic shotgun alongside classic rifles and sidearms. The overhauled inventory and PDA interface now feature dual primary weapon slots, four quick-item slots for meds and snacks, and a clear anomaly overlay, making gear management and situational awareness more intuitive than ever.

Exploration is richly rewarded through artifacts that grant benefits—boosted stamina or resistance to radiation—but often carry deadly radioactive penalties. Emissions, sweeping electrical storms unique to this title, force you to seek shelter in buildings or caves, intensifying the Zone’s oppressive atmosphere. When you’re pressed for time or resources, stalker-run fast travel stations allow paid teleportation to key outposts, streamlining lengthy treks across dangerous terrain without sacrificing the sense of scale.

The upgrade system returns from Clear Sky but in a tighter, three-tier structure. You’ll need to hunt for specialized tools scattered through the Zone to unlock higher performance levels for weapons, armor and artifacts. Coupled with faction reputation (now more a byproduct of your actions than a rigid allegiance), you can tailor Major Degtyarev’s build to your preferred style—stealth, direct assault or deep-zone scavenger.

Graphics

Call of Pripyat’s visuals are a marked improvement over its predecessors, with highly detailed environments that capture the eerie, decaying beauty of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Three distinct regions—the flooded outskirts, dense forests, and the ghostly remains of Pripyat itself—are rendered with dynamic weather effects, volumetric lighting and realistic day/night cycles. These elements combine to create haunting vistas, from mist-shrouded swamps to crumbling Soviet architecture.

Environmental anomalies crackle with energy and stand out against the muted color palette, guiding you toward potential artifact hotspots. Character models and mutant designs benefit from refined textures and animations: the sinewy limbs of a Chimera and the disorienting psi-attacks of a Burer are both unsettling and visually impressive. Ambient details like rusting metal, scattered debris and scraps of Soviet-era signage add depth and authenticity to every scene.

The revamped HUD and PDA interface strike a balance between immersion and functionality. Your PDA map now clearly marks anomaly fields, fast travel points and mission waypoints without cluttering the screen. Inventory screens, weapon mod menus and dialog boxes are neatly organized, allowing you to focus on the world itself rather than navigation overhead. Small touches—screen scratches when you’re low on health, subtle radio static during emissions—further enhance the immersive experience.

Story

Two weeks after Strelok’s escape and the destruction of the brain-melter, military factions scramble to secure the reactor site, only to crash their helicopters under mysterious circumstances. Major Degtyarev is dispatched covertly to investigate, posing as a common stalker. This premise offers a fresh viewpoint on the Zone’s power struggles, weaving a tightly paced main narrative through three sprawling areas.

While the central storyline drives you toward the reactor’s secrets, it’s the myriad of side quests that breathe life into the Zone. Each mission feels handcrafted—interview a veteran stalker, sabotage a bandit hideout or retrieve prized artifacts from heavily irradiated sites. Since quests have no strict time limits, you may return later to find NPCs have resolved situations in your absence, reinforcing a living-world illusion.

Factions in Call of Pripyat are less rigid than before; you aren’t pigeonholed into a specific side. Aid Freedom fighters today, trade favors with Duty tomorrow, or chart an independent course. Your relationships influence quest availability and dialogue, but never block progression. This flexible system ensures that your narrative arc—Major Degtyarev’s rise from rookie infiltrator to Zone legend—feels personalized and responsive to your choices.

Overall Experience

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat stands out as one of the most atmospheric, open-ended shooters of its era. The blend of survival-horror tension and RPG-style progression hooks you from the first anomaly to the final confrontation near the reactor. Emissions keep you on edge, artifact hunts yield memorable rewards, and the living world teems with rival stalkers, bandits and mutants whose encounters can turn deadly in an instant.

Replayability is high thanks to multiple upgrade paths, faction permutations and randomized artifact locations. Whether you favor heavy armor and firefights, low-profile stealth runs or methodical exploration with ample looting, Call of Pripyat accommodates your playstyle. Even late-game expeditions have moments of genuine suspense, as unfamiliar mutant variants and unpredictable anomaly clusters keep the Zone unpredictable.

Despite occasional bugs and performance hitches on older hardware, the experience remains engrossing. Improved stability over earlier S.T.A.L.K.E.R. titles, combined with refined UI and balanced pacing, make Call of Pripyat a fitting capstone to the original trilogy. For fans of immersive shooters or anyone seeking a richly realized post-apocalyptic playground, this standalone expansion is a must-play.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10