F.E.A.R. 3 vs S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
F.E.A.R. 3
F.E.A.R. 3 definitely upped the notch by providing players with two incredible characters to play as - either Point Man, a genetically-enhanced soldier with superhuman reflexes and can manipulate time; or the undead spirit of his brother, Paxton Fettel, who wields amazing psychic powers. The AI in the game is as sneaky as ever, forcing you to have heightened combat awareness or you might just get attacked from behind. You can also pilot an enhanced mech in this game, which is always an awesome thing to do.However, many fans of the series feel that the story has been drawn out way past its lifespan and that the story in this installment is just underwhelming. There are also several major plotholes which just further messed up the story. Not to mention, the gunplay in this game seems to be a much-watered down version of its previous games.
So, if you're a hardcore fan of the story, you might still want to get this game while it's on offer just to enjoy some of the better parts of the plot. But if you're a newcomer, you might want to look to its first or second game instead.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is the first of a hugely popular post-apocalyptic-themed, first-person, survival-horror shooter which might have just amassed a cult following. Set in 2012, almost two decades after the worst nuclear disaster occured at the Chernobyl power station and around 6 years after a second explosion rocked the damaged reactor, causing various anomalies to ripple open and from them came waves of mutated creatures, deadly radiation and also rare artifacts that are somehow imbued with powerful anomalous energy... artifacts that many would kill to have.Since then, the existence of such artifacts have brought forth groups of "stalkers", scavengers who scour the cordoned areas around Chernobyl for these very objects... and in this game, you play as one of them.
The game has risen to acclamation partly due to the terrifying, nightmarish creatures that the game contains, in addition to the brilliantly immersive storyline and an incredibly realistic game environemnt that's modelled after its real-world counterpart deep inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The gameplay is excellent as well. The game has accurate ballstics and combat mechanics, as well as a challenging survival aspect that is further made difficult due to the impact day and night, and the weather system has on the environment. There is also a multiplayer mode that can support up to 32 players.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl has just celebrated its 10-year anniversary earlier this year and as such, many aspects of the game aren't really up to scratch by today's standards at least. If you do plan on getting this game, you might want to download some mods to help improve the game somewhat.