GSC Game World released S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl, Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat in a single compilation last year with Legends of the Zone Trilogy and showcased just how well the classics held up. Of course, two features were conspicuously absent at the time, namely mod support and enhancements for Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Thus, we have S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced, offering those who own the previous-gen (or PC) versions to avail of a free current-gen upgrade. And there’s quite a bit on offer – four graphical modes, lighting improvements, 4K cinematics, and improved character and weapon models, to name a few. Couple this with how well the gameplay and world design hold up – yes, even stuck in the past as it is – and this remains a fundamentally worthwhile trilogy of classics to embrace.

"Few other titles can capture the atmosphere of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. There’s this sense of “Every man for himself,” leading to a characteristic ruthlessness – though sometimes that can come in handy, especially when dealing with duplicitous foes."

Whether you played S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 or not, the fundamentals remain. You venture through different regions of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone but the real-world influences go beyond desolation and murderous radiation. Mutants roam the Zone, from twisted, bloodthirsty dogs to other relentless terrors. Anomalies manifest at different points, though their application varies depending on the game. Then you have the factions and eager Stalkers looking for fortune, some attempting to get by while others are straight-up hostile.

In terms of the premiere S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience, Call of Pripyat is probably the best. It takes the groundwork laid by Shadow of Chornobyl and all the improvements from Clear Sky, like calibrating gear, Artifacts near Anomalies, and Emissions, a dangerous phenomenon that can outright kill if you don’t take shelter. But each title is worth experiencing in its own right, from your journey as the Marked One to find and kill Strelok to the decidedly slower pacing and faction wars that define Clear Sky.

Regardless of your feelings on each title (I still can’t fully embrace Clear Sky and its slower pace), they all showcase the strength of the series’ sandbox and non-linear structure. Though you have objectives, like finding the crashed helicopters in Call of Pripyat, how you go about them is completely up to you, but this isn’t a stroll through a post-nuclear wonderland.

Scavenging for weapons, ammunition, food, first-aid kits, bandages, and anti-radiation drugs will increase your chances of survival, even as you delve into more dangerous locations within the Zone. While resources are easily obtainable, knowing how to deal with Anomalies, heavy doses of radiation or something as simple as broken gear can make all the difference.

Wayward Stalkers or faction members may have different missions for you to fulfil, which can offer significant rewards (and maybe lead to things like stashes). While the approach to factions varies in each game – Clear Sky being the most intricate, as your decisions can directly impact your objectives – even something as simple as holstering weapons is important. Unless you’re keen on characters behaving in a hostile fashion towards you.

Granted, some may find the open world of the trilogy to feel antiquated, especially compared to more contemporary titles, but it’s still an exceptional achievement all these years later. Besides, few other titles can capture the atmosphere of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. There’s this sense of “Every man for himself,” leading to a characteristic ruthlessness – though sometimes that can come in handy, especially when dealing with duplicitous foes.

"Of course, the big question is regarding the visuals, and thankfully, the Enhanced version offers some noticeable improvements. Screen space reflections on water surfaces look good, especially in Quality Mode. The global illumination lends a natural warmth/coldness to the environment, depending on the day."

But that feeling of loneliness is reinforced throughout. Things are fleeting. Nothing is permanent. Today’s allies could be wiped out, leaving you with nothing. Yet, that impermanence has its own beauty and makes things feel significant.

Gunplay is another key aspect of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., especially since it’s more grounded than your average twitch shooter. Managing weapon sway and recoil, sometimes by crouching, can improve your shooting as much as choosing the right weapon for the situation.

There’s a distinct oomph for each firearm – the feedback and stopping power of the shotguns is unmistakable, but unleashing a flurry of semi-automatic shots can also feel powerful. So it’s somewhat disappointing that some console settings, like aim assist, still feel iffy after all this. At least you can turn it off and adjust other options to fine tune your aim.

Of course, the big question is regarding the visuals, and thankfully, the Enhanced version offers some noticeable improvements. Screen space reflections on water surfaces look good, especially in Quality Mode. The global illumination lends a natural warmth/coldness to the environment, depending on the day.

Next to the PS4 version, infiltrating the first bandit camp to save Nimble in Shadow of Chornobyl looked much better with the naturalistic lighting and shadows on PS5. And while the skyboxes in the previous-gen version looked decent, they can be downright stunning on current-gen consoles. It’s enough to make you stop and admire the clouds while sprinting across an open field or the thunderbolts streaking through the sky during a downpour.

Oddly enough, some slight artifacting would occasionally occur in Call of Pripyat, and I don’t know why. I also didn’t find the biggest differences in weapon models, but the pop-in was far reduced (at least on Performance Mode). I wasn’t a fan of Quality Mode due to its 30 FPS, but the native 4K and fidelity are worth admiring.

"If you’re keen on a shooter where the world and its atmosphere feel as alive as its characters, then S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy comes recommended."

Balanced Mode, with its upscaled 4K/40 FPS, is a decent alternative to Performance, but in the end, I opted for the latter’s consistent 60 FPS above all. For those who want the smoothest frame rate – and have a supporting VRR monitor – Ultra Performance is worth trying with its upscaled 2K/120 FPS. It’s all down to personal preference, but GSC Game World has put in the work to ensure each mode feels solid.

Besides the various quirks – including some less than stellar allied AI – and bugs of each title, the least impressive part of Legends of the Zone Trilogy is its mod support, at least on consoles. Utilizing Mod.io, it’s pretty limited, and the current selection has little to offer beyond new models, textures, animations, and whatnot. Time will tell how this evolves, but it seems unlikely that console players will be able to experience the likes of Anomaly anytime soon.

Despite this, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced is a worthy trilogy and a pretty worthwhile upgrade over its original release. The different graphical modes offer extensive freedom for tailoring your visual experience, while the lighting improvements add more character to the landscape and proceedings. While refinements to the aiming options and mods are definitely needed, and some mild technical bugs must be addressed, all three titles warrant a playthrough, if only to delve into the wonderfully desolate world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

Its brand of sandbox gameplay mixed with first-person shooting and survival may not be for everyone, and all three titles have their share of bugs and polish issues. But if you’re keen on a shooter where the world and its atmosphere feel as alive as its characters, then S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy comes recommended. Who knows? It could make great practice for whenever S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl makes the jump to PS5.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Dubbed S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced Edition, the compilation includes native 4K with 60 FPS and 120 FPS options on Xbox Series X, PS5 and PS5 Pro. However, the developer also promises new lighting, 4K cinematics, and improvements to the textures, shaders and reflections.

There’s Steam Deck compatibility for PC, and console players can utilize a keyboard and mouse. Mod support is also available for both audiences.

Stay tuned for more details on the trilogy ahead of its release. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy is available for Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. Check out our review for the base release.

With a new trailer, GSC Game World has announced that S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy will launch for the Nintendo Switch on October 31. The collection – which compiles three games in the form of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat – will be sold at a price of $39.99, though players will also have the option to purchase each game individually for $19.99 apiece. 

On Switch, the collection will also feature gyro aiming, touch screen support for the UI, and more. Check out the trailer below for a glimpse of what the first-person shooters will look like on the console. 

The two biggest features – mod support and a current-gen patch for further improvements on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S – are coming later. However, as it stands, the trilogy isn’t just a great way to experience a piece of gaming history but showcases the long-standing appeal of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. as a whole, jank and all.

Though based on the original Chornobyl disaster, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’s overarching lore is alternate history. It follows a second nuclear disaster occurring in the Exclusion Zone, leading numerous Stalkers towards the region for their own ends. Some seek profits from the mysterious Artifacts that have begun cropping up through the Zone, while others are lured by the mystery surrounding the center and the riches it could hold. There’s much more going on than meets the eye, but in each title, that’s not your immediate concern.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl sees you controlling the Marked One, discovered in a “death carrier” truck and somehow mysteriously alive. You have only one objective – find and kill Strelok. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is a prequel to the first game and sees Scar, a mercenary, joining the faction Clear Sky after mysteriously surviving an emission in the Zone.

Eventually, his fate becomes intertwined with Strelok as well. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is a proper sequel with Major Alexander Degtyarev venturing into the Zone to investigate the aftermath of Operation Fairway, where five military helicopters are sent in to assess the zone and subsequently crash.

Unlike many other first-person shooters at the time, the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy unfolds non-linearly. You could follow the objectives on your PDA or take on various jobs and interact with the factions inhabiting the Zone. It’s advised to explore for better weapons, ammo, and items that replenish your health or take care of any radiation sickness. However, it’s also a way to familiarize yourself with the Zone and its various complications.

Along with hostiles like Bandits, you’ll also run afoul of mutants, from dogs to other monstrosities with special abilities. There are also Anomalies which manifest in different ways and are capable of outright destroying you. “Seeing” the effects of each Anomaly is difficult – though you could toss a trusty bolt and see what happens – and while you could avoid them well enough in Shadow of Chornobyl, Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat ensure they’re the prime locations for Artifacts.

When you take damage in S.T.A.L.K.E.R., health isn’t regenerated. You’ll suffer effects like bleeding when taking damage, and while some bandages can patch things up, the severity can be intense. Then there are the emissions, which can cause death if you don’t seek cover.

With each subsequent title, the Anomalies, emissions, Artifacts and survival become more nuanced. It can seem challenging to get into, and each title can come across as janky or unrefined from the outset. Give it time, delve further in, and the intricacies gradually unfold into something magical.

Take Shadow of Chornobyl, for example – at the start, you can take on some jobs to rescue a person of interest, Nimble, for the group that’s set up camp in the starting area. It involves working with others and clearing out some ruined buildings with bandits armed with only a pistol. Upon rescuing the individual, you acquire his flash drive and can turn it in to progress further. Maybe Nimble has a job for you after that to retrieve a suit, but you can also obtain tasks from others like Wolf.

Before you can do any of that, the town is attacked by the military, and despite a valiant defense, your newfound comrades are torn to shreds. It’s all you can do to survive, but any jobs taken from NPCs in the location have failed since they’re all dead. There’s nothing left to do but move forward, scavenging whatever you can find while staying alive.

Such moments are all the more apparent in Call of Pripyat, the most refined title in the series, as you’re taking on tasks to retrieve tools or barter information one moment and jumping through Anomalies and conducting night-time ambushes at others. You may be tasked to retrieve something from a car, only to find it sunken into a ravine.

Do you try to navigate the caves filled with deadly Snorks to try and get to it, or navigate the cliffs leading downward and attempt to rush through? Speaking of that night-time ambush, if you choose not to get your hands bloody, you won’t get a cut, but at least they’re open to second chances.

This mix of missions and emergent gameplay is even more incredible with how old these titles are. That being said, the jankiness is still apparent from the repeated responses of some characters and the general animation quality to the artificial intelligence. In Shadow of Chornobyl, your enemies are pretty competent, using foliage as cover and knowing when to retreat.

Meanwhile, your allies are running into walls and barely helping. Enemy AI tends to feel a little overturned in Clear Sky, relying on grenade spam and generally feeling obnoxious to fight against. Call of Pripyat feels more well-balanced, with teammates and enemies putting up a good fight without feeling unhelpful or cheap.

Shadow of Chornobyl and Call of Pripyat are clearly the superior titles, with Clear Sky feeling like the weaker entry (despite introducing elements that would become a mainstay in the third game). This isn’t to say that the latter doesn’t have its merits, even if Faction Wars may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s more challenging and requires a slower pace than one may be accustomed to in the other titles.

As for the new additions, each title delivers a consistent 60 frames per second, while the amount of vegetation feels denser and the lighting improved. It’s probably not all that noticeable without comparing side by side with the original games, but the experience feels smoother overall. The atmosphere of all three games is enhanced, making you feel more isolated and alone when traveling through the Zone as if death can occur at any moment (and it often does).

The shooting also feels good, though I’m still experimenting with the new aim assist settings to find the right balance. Tracking assist apparently doesn’t play very well with everything else, and it can be a bit difficult to get a bead on things, especially when getting used to the weapon sway. Still, having options to control recoil is nice.

With S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy, what you see is what you get – three classic titles for a pretty fair price (also available individually) that still hold up after all these years. The improvements are significant without altering too much of what makes each game endearing. PC players may be better off playing the standalone Anomaly mod, as it combines all three into one map while overhauling progression and adding new content. For console players, the trilogy is a great way to delve into the series.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.