In a remarkable achievement, a dedicated gamer has reportedly become the first individual to fully complete the Enhanced Edition of Stalker: Shadow of Chornobyl on PC. GSC Game World recently unveiled its “fully remastered and optimized” versions of the original Stalker trilogy, which includes Shadow of Chornobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Prypiat. This release, made available for free to all original owners, has sparked a wave of reactions from the gaming community.
Mixed Reception Among Players
Despite the excitement surrounding the remastered trilogy, the current Steam reviews tell a different story. All three games are sitting at a “Mostly Negative” rating, with a plethora of critical feedback flooding in. The disparity between the player’s experience and the reviews raises questions about whether some users encountered a different version of the game. The situation is reminiscent of the cancelled Ukrainian Mortal Kombat release in 2019, prompting further inquiries with the studio for clarification.
For those considering a dive into the Enhanced Editions, particularly in English and without a strong attachment to Soviet-era aesthetics, there appears to be one primary concern among players. Many have voiced their dissatisfaction regarding blurry graphics across all three titles, especially when utilizing features like FSR and antialiasing.
Personal Experience vs. Community Feedback
Having spent 23 hours immersed in Shadow of Chornobyl, the author found no merit in the complaints regarding visual quality. On a 1440p monitor, a 4K TV, and even an OLED Steam Deck, the game appeared crisp and visually engaging. However, the volume of negative feedback suggests that these issues may not be isolated incidents. It raises the possibility of specific hardware configurations contributing to the problem or perhaps differing standards among players.
For those who are particularly sensitive to graphical fidelity, it may be prudent to hold off on playing until GSC addresses these concerns. The studio has been contacted for further insights, and updates will be provided if a response is received.
In the meantime, the author has shared comparison shots of Shadow of Chornobyl and Call of Prypiat running on their setup. While not an expert in hardware, these images are presented for viewers to assess whether they reflect an unacceptable level of blur. Ultimately, the author believes that these Enhanced Editions represent the pinnacle of the Stalker experience available today, even for those who share a nostalgia for the original Soviet relics.
