Half Life 2: Episode One vs S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Half Life 2: Episode One
Half Life 2: Episode One is the first standalone game in Valve's spin-off trilogy for its game series, Half Life. Featuring a gameplay that closely resembles Half Life 2, its namesake, this game provides loyal fans of the game a nice continuation (somewhat) in the series' storyline. Similar to Half Life 2, this game has a lot more scripted scenes as well as puzzles and strategic combat rather than simply adding in more aliens for you to fight and weapons for you to fight with.Despite its rather short game duration, Half Life 2: Episode One gives its hardcore fans something to chew on as they wait - endlessly - for a Half Life 3. And naturally, being released in 2006, the game has a more polished look. To be honest, it's a great alternative game to Half Life 2.
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.