Threads
- Stalker 2 is one of the most detailed and visually appealing games in years, and being a survival game, it has some contrast with Fallout games.
- However, Stalker 2 plays tougher, tends to incline toward realism and horrorcore, and plays like a simulator compared to Fallout.
- Stalker 2 has raised my expectations for the next Fallout game, which is expected to be released before 2026 at the earliest.
Stalker 2 has finally been released, and despite all its technical difficulties, which I’m willing to overlook, I think the game is almost perfect. I haven’t seen such a detailed and visually appealing game out of the gate since Witcher 3.
Developers of GSC Game World outdid themselves with the sequel, and the 17 years of waiting were worthwhile at every moment. Stalker 2 is a survival sandbox game that cleverly blends multiple genres and is a strong GOTY candidate.
From the initial gameplay, I expected it to be somewhat closer to the Metro games, given the plot similarities and how the original developers of the first game made Metro games. However, Stalker 2 has a striking similarity to Fallout due to the open-world and RPG elements, and it has subconsciously curbed my hunger for the true next-gen Fallout game I have been waiting for for almost a decade.
Why It Matters: Fans have made several demands that Fallout be turned into a horror game. However, Stalker 2 best meets that need with a unique twist of survival and horrorcore elements.
Fallout Meets Soulslike
Straight down, both Fallout and Stalker games are characters surviving in an open-world sandbox wasteland. The Fallout games are more towards the satirical spectrum, emphasising humor and irony on how disastrous the society in those games was.
Stalker 2, on the other hand, leans more towards the war’s ugliness and its aftermath’s effect on the land and its people. While both games have survival and RPG elements that involve character building, inventory, and weapons leveling, Stalker 2’s more towards realism.
Naturally, Stalker 2 becomes a horror because of its survival elements. Stalker 2 is what a souls-like game would be if it was a first-person shooter. As such, all difficulty levels in the game will have you dying multiple times because there’s so much worldwide, including human enemies, creatures, and the radiation from the nuclear attack.
Scourging the buildings and exploring narrow dark hallways is similar to the Metro experience, but those games weren’t exactly open-world but rather a bit linear. Despite Metro Exodus going open-world, it wasn’t a sandbox, and the map was still limited compared to what Stalker 2 has to offer.
Regarding the plot details, I found Stalker 2 somewhat close to Fallout New Vegas. However, Stalker 2’s protagonist, Skif, is just another survivor on the mainland rather than a hero.
However, his choices deeply impact The Zone and can shape the entire narrative of the post-apocalyptic open world. Stalker 2 prioritizes player freedom more than Fallout games, which is a bold statement. However, Stalker 2 is more about the narrative rather than the player’s build and customization.
Stalker 2 Has Raised My Expectations For The Next Fallout Game
While I understand the severe difference between Stalker and Fallout as IPs, the obvious similarities between the games can’t be undermined. Especially the survival theme, which is exactly why Fallout is so popular in the first place.
However, Stalker 2’s intertwined story, level details, and open-world elements have certainly upped my expectations for the next Fallout game. Coming back from the disastrous launch of Fallout 76, they already have a lot to make for.
While I do admit that Fallout 76 has now become better with patches and updates, the franchise has been gassed a lot witcccccccccccccccccccccccccccch the positive reception of Prime’s Fallout TV show.
The unfortunate news is that the next Fallout game is quite distant, and we still have to wait for The Elder Scrolls 6’s release.
In the meantime, I will enjoy my time with Stalker 2, which takes almost 100 hours to complete fully. Knowing there is so much to explore and routes to take, I will revisit the game quite a few times before the next Fallout game releases.
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
[News Reporter]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheer@tech4gamers.com
Join Our Community
