Left4Dead vs S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Left4Dead
Left4Dead is among one of the very first popular zombie-themed shooters that has evolved from being simply a single player experience into a multiplayer game that almost every 90s gamer have played in LAN sessions or at cyber cafes... or have at least heard of it. Developed by Valve, the game features a wide variety of zombies, each with their own special abilities; relatable characters and an urgency to reach the next safe house due to the waves after waves of zombies that make you feel like you are actually trying to fight for your own life! There are plenty of interesting locations and unique scenarios for you to enjoy, allowing players to break the monotony of fending off endless hordes of zombies.Once you're done with the campaign, there is even a multiplayer aspect which will allow you to play with your friends against another team of your friends as either the human survivors or as the ravenous zombies. Admittedly, the multiplayer mode is the perfect addition to the game as it drastically expanded the game's lifespan.
All in all, Left4Dead is the first of a hugely popular series of games that many are still clamoring for a sequel until today. The graphics and gameplay may feel rather outdated in this day and age but if you have a soft spot for "old but gold" games, this is one of the more modern classics that you should really try.
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.