Outside a plethora of bugs at launch, STALKER 2 is proving to be a success among fans. Of course, for those who played the original trilogy, especially at launch, bugs are not a surprise. However, for newer players who aren't accustomed to the haunting world of the STALKER universe, it may feel a little alienating. The harsh survival horror gameplay loop may seem appealing, but newcomers may be wondering whether it's accessible.

This is exacerbated by the fact that STALKER 2 is a sequel, which may put players off even more. Fortunately, the extremely positive STALKER 2 reviews point to it not only being an excellent game but also a perfect starting point for new fans. Of course, there are plenty of reasons why people should try out the STALKER series. However, for those who are deciding whether to play the original trilogy or the new sequel, there's actually a lot of value in playing STALKER 2 first.

STALKER 2 Is The Perfect Starting Point For Newcomers

It's The Most Accessible Entry In The Series

STALKER 2 is easily the most accessible game in the entire series, not simply from a gameplay perspective, but also from a monetary one. Despite STALKER 2's buggy launch, it remains a more refined experience compared to the "Eurojank" earlier titles. A lot of the gameplay ideas that were introduced in the initial trilogy have been innovated upon in the sequel, leading to a far more enjoyable experience that doesn't feel quite as alienating.

For example, the gunplay, stealth, and survival mechanics have been honed to make the experience generally more approachable for a modern audience. Fortunately, STALKER 2 still retains the harshness of its predecessors and serves up a gritty lone-wanderer fantasy for those who want it. It also looks significantly better thanks to UE5, which may be more appealing to those who aren't fond of older titles.

Additionally, unmissable side quests, and a plethora of resources that players can collect across the enormous deadly expanse that is the Zone. There's so much to see and do in STALKER 2 that fans will be kept busy for a long time.

It's worth noting that the original trilogy weren't really open-world games in the traditional sense. Only the third entry, Call of Pripyat, could be considered open-world, and even then, it was open zones connected via loading screens. STALKER 2 is the first fully open-world entry in the series.

Most importantly, STALKER 2 is available day one on Xbox Game . This means that players don't need to fork out $70 to play it if they can't afford to. The remastered version of the original trilogy, titled Legends of the Zone, is not available on a streaming service, and as such, players will need to either pay full price for each individual entry or for the entire package. So, for those looking to get into the STALKER franchise - which is a great idea - then the sequel is by far the best option, especially as it is a standalone entry.

STALKER 2 Can Be Played Before The Original Games

It Won't Be Too Complicated For Newcomers

Narratively, it can feel like players must play the STALKER trilogy before playing STALKER 2. However, that is, for the most part, not the case. While there are connections between the original STALKER trilogy and the sequel, including characters, setting, and lore, STALKER 2 is a standalone experience with a brand-new protagonist and a whole set of new characters. Largely, it can be enjoyed independently of the previous games.

In fact, in the game's FAQ page, GSC explains that while playing the previous games is good for immersion, as players will have a better understanding of the world and its lore, "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an independent sequel to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy, so it can be a great start of [a player's] journey within the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe." This makes it even more accessible, as fans don't need to worry about having any prior knowledge.

Players don't need to worry about needing to do extensive homework just to enjoy all of STALKER 2's exciting features.

Of course, it helps to read up on the overall lore of the STALKER universe and maybe who some of the key characters are. Additionally, reading the original inspiration for the STALKER games, Roadside Picnic, is encouraged, but absolutely not mandatory. Players don't need to worry about needing to do extensive homework just to enjoy all of STALKER 2's exciting features.

It Is Worth Playing The Original STALKER Trilogy After The Sequel

The Original Games Are Still Excellent Survival Horror Experiences

Of course, it is absolutely worth playing the original STALKER trilogy after beating the sequel. The three original games are genuine classics, and while they suffer from early 2000s jank, they offer some of the most compelling and enthralling survival horror experiences. The worlds of the original STALKER games are unparalleled when it comes to atmosphere and immersion, outside of STALKER 2, of course.

Before STAKER 2's DLC drops, fans have the perfect opportunity to head back and try out the original experiences, especially now that they've all been remastered and ported to all modern hardware. It is even available on the Nintendo Switch for those who prefer to play it handheld. The collection comes with some enhancements and quality-of-life improvements that make it the definitive way to play those original games. Alternatively, each remastered game can be bought separately.

There is a narrative order in which the trilogy can be played, as Clear Sky, the second game in the series is a prequel. However, it is better for players to play it in order of release: Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and then Call of Pripyat. This will still make sense despite the fact that Clear Sky is set before Shadow of Chernobyl.

Some may worry that jumping back into the original games after benefiting from the innovations in STALKER 2 will be a jarring experience, but that is not really an issue. The games all share the same identity, so while the visuals may not be as impressive, the experience will be mostly the same. Ultimately, regardless of whether players decide to try the original trilogy first before jumping into STALKER 2, they are guaranteed to have an amazing time.

Source: GSC Game World/YouTube, stalker2.com