Reviews - Djape66

Vector of Alienation is a mod for Oblivion Lost Remake, which itself is a mod for Shadow of Chernobyl, an attempt to bring to life the original 2004 alpha version of the game. I'll do a comparison with the base game:

+ Locations - Most of the locations have been redesigned. Some, like Yantar and the Bar, are completely unrecognizable. Most of the redesigns are for the better - X-10, for example, feels like an actual laboratory, not the linear corridor we played through in Shadow of Chernobyl.

+ Story - The story hits the same beats as in SoC, but there is enough changed that it is still interesting to read through.

+ Features - Contains gameplay fetaures that were cut from SoC, such as automobiles and safehouses.

+ Balance - When the AI works, you never feel too weak or too powerful. Economy is similarly well designed where you are never too rich or too poor.

- Atmosphere - Vector of Alienation attempts to go for a dreary atmosphere of loneliness. There are only 800 stalkers in the Zone, and so most of your time is spent exploring and talking rather than shooting. This sounds interesting in theory, but execution isn't there. The exploration is boring. Doesn't come close to the atmosphere of NLC 7 or even Call of Pripyat.

- AI - Whether it's a group of soldiers engaging you single-file and backwards, or a bloodsucker spinning in circles, there are plenty of mistakes in the AI. It's not quite as bad as in other mods like Winds of Time, but don't go into this game expecting a challenge.

- Pacing - The middle half of the game (from Bar until Radar) is a slog of dialogues and fetch quests. There were only 2 quests that involved longer firefights.

- Late-game - Towards the end, Vector of Alienation gives the impression that development was rushed through. Pripyat and NPP and Generators are a breeze, unlike the tense firefights of the original.

It's not hard to see why GSC decided to can this version of Stalker and go with the redesign that was officially released. Ignoring the problems that could be fixed, the mod itself provides nowhere near the level of fun and excitement as Shadow of Chernobyl. I would only recommend this one if you're interested in taking a look at how the original 2004 version was envisioned.

Ultimate Stalker experience.