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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogyfeatures the first threegames in the iconicS.T.A.L.K.E.R.franchise. While this was released in 2024, an enhanced version of each game in this collection is now available, and first-time players may be curious about the games' order, as well as how they should be played.
It is worth noting that the original release of the first game went under the titleS.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, which is the Russian-derived spelling ofthe city the game is set in. The franchise has changed their approach to use the original Ukrainian spelling of Chornobyl for games going forward.
What is the Release Order of the STALKER Games?
The original three STALKER games do not use numbers after each title; this can leave new players unsure which one is the first. Here are all three games inS.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zonein their release order:
Playing the games in this order, followed byplayingS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, will let new players experience the entirety of the franchise in the order the games were released. This means players will experience newly added features that make later installments more thrilling than previous ones.
PlayingShadow of Chornobylfirst will give players an eerieintroduction into the zone, allowing them to become immersed in the dangerous and hostile world the franchise has crafted.Clear Skywill improve enemy behaviour and allow for a better combat experience. It also introduced the Faction Wars mechanic.
Should You Play the STALKER Games in Chronological Order?
Players can opt to play the game in the following order to experience the story in the chronological sequence that it unfolds:
While this can be a great way to revisit the game for past players, this may not be the best for newcomers to the franchise. Playing a franchise in the order the games were released lets players experience a franchise as it was intended and how all previous fans were exposed to it. Playing in a chronological order is best saved for revisiting a beloved franchise as a treat.
PlayingClear Skyfirstmay help the game feel more narrative, and let the story progress from this prequel intoShadow of Chornobyl, but the drop to a more bare bones game can leave first-timers feeling like they got downgraded without the nostalgia to back it up.
