Fallout 4 vs S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Fallout 4
Fallout 4 is the latest installment of the highly-acclaimed game franchise, Fallout. This time around, the developers went above and beyond, and completely revamped the rather outdated V.A.T.S. and turn it into a slow-motion-based aiming system rather than outright pausing the game mid-combat. The game has a massive graphics and sound overhaul as well. The visuals are a lot better than before and the devs added in something that was previously unprecedented - voice acting for the main character. The companions play their roles a bit better as well but they still tend to glitch out, or in some cases, disappear altogether. Thankfully, for PC gamers, you can use the command console to bring them back.In addition to its usual (and still epic) open world plus complete freedom features, this game also has a main storyline that forces you to pick a side in a war between factions, the Institute, the Brotherhood and the Railroad (the Minutemen are somewhat neutral in this game). However, the cream of the crop of this game is its sandbox aspect. In this game, even the junk items have their uses as you can use them to craft or modify your weapons, but also to build bases for settlers to inhabit and also a few extra places for you to stash some supplies in addition to your home in Diamond City.
Fallout 4 may have been ranked down on Steam due to Bethesda's decision to make paid mods, but the game itself is still a pretty good sequel for its combat system alone even if you don't like the storyline as much.
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.