S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

Lore & Background

The game takes place soon after the events of Shadow of Chernobyl. After Strelok disables the Brain Scorcher, stalkers penetrate closer to the centre of the Zone. The Ukrainian government launches Operation Fairway, a reconnaissance mission with Mil Mi-24 helicopters, but all five helicopters crash. The protagonist, Major Alexander Degtyarev, an SBU agent, is sent to investigate. He learns the helicopters were disabled by powerful shocks of electricity, finds a black box, and eventually reaches Pripyat via an underground passage. He meets Strelok and learns that anomalies change position during emissions, explaining the crashes. The game ends with the player choosing to leave the Zone or stay for free-play mode. The Zone is believed to be expanding.

Reader's Guide

The game takes place in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, divided into three areas: Zaton, Yanov (including Jupiter and Kopachy), and the ghost city of Pripyat. Gameplay focuses on post-apocalyptic horror and tactical role-playing. Damage causes bleeding; medical supplies are needed. Weapons and equipment degrade with use; condition is shown as a gauge.

Severely damaged items cannot be sold until repaired. The economy is limited; traders exchange goods for money and items. Bandits are hostile criminals. Upgrading has three tiers, each requiring a toolkit (basic, fine, calibration).

Mutants include Burer and Chimera. Factions include Loners, Bandits, Mercenaries, Scientists, Zombified Stalkers, Military, Monolith, Duty, and Freedom. Emissions occur randomly; the player must find shelter or use special drugs to survive. Artifacts are found in anomalies using detectors; they can be sold or worn in suit slots, but most emit harmful radiation. Free-play mode allows exploration and unfinished missions.

Did You Know?

• The game uses the X-Ray Engine 1.6, supporting DirectX 9 through 11 and real-time GPU tessellation.
• The Monolith faction is hostile to all characters and appears in Call of Pripyat.
• The player can survive an emission outside a shelter by consuming special drugs that shut down the nervous system.
• Artifacts are naturally invisible and require special detectors to be seen.