Later this year we hope to see the long-awaited STALKER 2 finally. GSC Game World, due to the ongoing conflict with Russia invading Ukraine, had no choice but to delay the game. Although, it now has a release window on the Xbox store for 2023. I recently revisited the original game to see how it ran. However, at the time of release, some fans may have never gotten to know the franchise. And even if they bring the game to PlayStation 5, there’ll be players who never experienced the 2007 original.
I absolutely love the franchise, It’s also why I enjoyed both Chernobylite and the Metro trilogy. So is it time we return to the original game in the STALKER series? Right now that is absolutely impossible, as the team focuses on the sequel as well as everything they are currently dealing with. Hopefully in the future do revisit the game, however, in the meantime there’s a fan remake in Unreal Engine 5 and a fan remaster.
Should STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl Be Remade?
GSC Game World have said they won’t remake the original game according to an article by The Gamer back in February 2021. Here is what they said:
The studio confirmed that it has no plans for such projects and considers them unnecessary. Also, the developers think that using something besides the original X-Ray engine will not make the games look much better and visually impressive, but only will take away their special mood and atmosphere. Still, the studio does not mind unofficial fan remakes of Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl, Stalker: Clear Sky or Stalker: Call of Pripyat, and will not hamper their release in any way.
Fast forward to an article in January 2022 by Games Creed, we see a different view. This was by the PR Manager of GSC Game World, Zakhar Bocharov. The article lists a series of points and the fourth point says “GSC Game World is still considering the creation of the remaster or remake of the Stalker”. I think this decision needs to be looked at thoroughly to understand. Though I would take either as I feel this game really needs to be experienced by more people. Unlike how I thought we definitely need certain games remade, I’m not convinced we need anything more than a to remaster on this game.
