S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl cover
FranchiseS.T.A.L.K.E.R.SeriesS.T.A.L.K.E.R.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl

Critic score2 critics
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First release
Mar 23, 2007
Genres
Role-playing (RPG), Shooter · Sandbox, Open world, Action, Science fiction, Horror, Survival, Stealth
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is a first-person shooter with role-playing and survival elements, and the first game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. It is set in an open, hazardous area known as the Zone, based on the Chernobyl exclusion zone, where players explore wilderness, settlements, and military sites in search of valuable artifacts. Beyond combat against human factions and mutated creatures, players must contend with pockets of altered physics called anomalies, radiation, hunger, and bleeding, managing supplies and equipment to survive. A non-linear storyline offers multiple endings, and limited trading and dialogue with other characters shape the experience.

Also known as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Тень Чернобыля, SSoC, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl, STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl
… See more, STALKER: Shadow of Chornobyl, STALKER SoC, Сталкер: Тень Чернобыля, Сталкер

Attributes

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Details

Storyline, release dates, time to beat, age ratings, modes, links, keywords

Storyline
In an alternate history, a second mysterious disaster strikes the area around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant years after the original 1986 accident, leaving behind a lethal territory called the Zone that is populated by mutated creatures, deadly anomalies, and scavengers known as stalkers. The player takes the role of the Marked One, a man who survives a crash with no memory of his past. His only clues are a tattoo reading S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and a handheld device carrying a single instruction: kill a man named Strelok. Working for a local trader to repay a debt, the Marked One follows this trail deeper into the Zone, gradually uncovering hints about Strelok and the secrets hidden at its heart.Read more

In an alternate history, a second mysterious disaster strikes the area around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant years after the original 1986 accident, leaving behind a lethal territory called the Zone that is populated by mutated creatures, deadly anomalies, and scavengers known as stalkers. The player takes the role of the Marked One, a man who survives a crash with no memory of his past. His only clues are a tattoo reading S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and a handheld device carrying a single instruction: kill a man named Strelok. Working for a local trader to repay a debt, the Marked One follows this trail deeper into the Zone, gradually uncovering hints about Strelok and the secrets hidden at its heart.

Release dates
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Mar 23, 2007
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Apr 05, 2007
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Jun 01, 2007
All 7 release dates
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Aug 31, 2007
PlayStation 4
Mar 06, 2024
Xbox One
Mar 06, 2024
Nintendo Switch
Oct 31, 2024
Time to beatIGDB · recorded
Main Story
6h
Main + Extras
17h
Completionist
41h
Game modes
Multiplayer, Single player
Perspective
First person
Keywords
modern warfare, post-apocalyptic, bloody, russia, murder
… All 46, artifacts, dystopian, death, steam, multiple endings, apocalypse, mutants, artificial intelligence, based on - book, survival horror, amnesia, silent protagonist, day/night cycle, radiation, digital distribution, platform exclusive, modern military, mind control, upgradeable weapons, rat, original soundtrack release, wasd movement, ragdoll physics, instant kill, destructible environment, interactive environments, development hell, physics manipulation, games on demand, onlive, mod support, guerilla warfare, fetch quests, poisoning, environment as weapons, realistic ballistics, acronym titles, securom, immersive, chernobyl, gog preservation program

At a Glance

Critic Score
80
Main Story (IGDB)
6h
Main + Extras (IGDB)
17h
Completionist (IGDB)
41h
OverviewHow it playsMediaCommunityBehind the gameRelated

Overview

Steam review summary

Steam users rate this Very Positive, 38,031 reviews in all languages, recorded 20 October 2026

Valve's summary of Steam user reviews. Valve counts only reviews from purchases on Steam, not key activations, and leaves out review periods it has marked as off-topic. It isn't part of the CritScore score.

Review summary: SteamSteam data provided via the Steam Web API (opens in a new tab)Not affiliated with Valve →

Multiplayer

  • Online multiplayerSteam · 20 Oct
  • LAN PvPSteam · 20 Oct

Feature data: SteamSteam data provided via the Steam Web API (opens in a new tab)Not affiliated with Valve →

About storefront and compatibility information

Compatibility, feature and availability information shown on this page is recorded from the storefronts and services named against each fact, on the dates shown. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks of Valve Corporation; Steam data is provided via the Steam Web API. Other product and service names are trademarks of their respective owners. CritScore is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by or certified by Valve Corporation or any other storefront or platform holder, and does not itself test or certify any game.