S.T.A.L.K.E.R. clear sky is available to pre-order from Steam as of today, and if you pre-order you get $5 off. Now I know that doesn't seem like that much of a big deal to most of you, to me that's actually pretty fucking cool. Why? Well because thanks to a favourable conversion rate I'll only pay $40AUS for the game, whereas if I bought it in stores I'd be paying $70. Now I was under the impression that Steam weren't actually allowed to under-cut retail outlets when it comes to the price of games, but hey $30 off is still $30 off. Also, the original STALKER wasn't available in Australia along with other THQ game, so I'm snapping this up now whilst I've got the chance. I know the original STALKER was not a a great all-round game, but I did enjoy it. It had such an oppressive atmosphere. If GSC can amend some of the things that were wrong in the first game, like the terrible lip-syncing, going back and forth through the world to receive you rewards for missions, then I'll be very happy.

Incidentally, if anyone else enjoyed STALKER or is looking forward to the new game, then you should definitely check out both the book "Roadside Picnic" by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky and the film "STALKER" directed by Russian genius Andrei Tarkovsky, both of which a were the inspiration for the game. Also check out PC Gamer's writer Jim Rossignol's brilliant article at the Escapist about STALKER and the environmental and thematic inspirations for the game.

STALKER:



Roadside Picnic: