Should you play Fallout 4 or Stalker 2?

Key Takeaways

• Stalker 2 and Fallout 4 offer unique takes on post-apocalyptic settings. Stalker 2's Zone settings have become more immersive and varied.

• Stalker 2 offers great graphics, while Fallout 4 offers great replayability with a variety of options and DLC content.

• Fallout 4 emerges as a winner, with multiple difficulty options, a compelling plot, and colorful characters to please new and old players alike.

Post-apocalyptic games are a subgenre in themselves. There are a surprising number of twists to this bleak premise, filled with dangerous worlds, terrifying creatures, and people trying to make a life for themselves.

Fallout 4 and Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, two games in the great series, take quite different approaches to the genre, but they even have a few things in common. Whether you're a fan of one of the series or new to the entire genre, you may be wondering which of these modern cult classics are worth your time.

9

Settings – Stalker 2

Both games have their own representations of life turned upside down in the form of Stalker 2's The Zone and Fallout 4's Commonwealth. Each of them has its own nuances that make them unique.

But Stalker 2's settings come out on top. The Zone is a diverse place with anomalous objects that defy physics and explanation, mutants roaming every corner, and most importantly, stalkers who want to make a living for themselves.

It's important to note that Stalker 2's setting isn't necessarily post-apocalyptic, at least not entirely. Because the rest of the world is fine. It is The Zone itself, which is only a few miles long, that poses a risk.

This little bit of humanity really shines in Stalker 2. It's hard to take a moment to chat in a stocker bar or watch a group of people sit by the fire and play guitar. It's the little moments in between survival that feel important.

8

Graphics – Stalker 2

Making the often depressing world of a post-apocalyptic survival game look “good” to the eye is an impressive feat. Graphics are an important part of any game. Although graphics may not be the first thing that draws you to a game.

Stalker 2 is leading against Fallout 4, but not by much. There are some very impressive parts in Stalker 2 where a ball of lightning comes at you or an emission hits an area in a storm that you almost want to stand there and watch it unfold (if it weren't so dangerous anyway).

7

Gameplay – Tie

The way a game runs and behaves from moment to moment says a lot about how much effort and love was put into making it, and you can see that effort in both of these games.

Both games have their own unique features. The bug is common in both games, as it appears in each series. These range from small humorous moments where bodies are flung across the room to constantly frustrating game crashes.

The important thing here is what you want from your experience. Fallout 4 often takes a more light-hearted approach to the concept, with some emotion and horror thrown in for balance. Stalker 2 aims for grim, survival-focused ideals.

6

Playability – Fallout 4

Each game is open world and has quite a few side quests to complete in addition to the already large maps to explore. But when it comes to replayability, Fallout 4 is the best. You get a lot of options in each playthrough.

This comes in the form of side quests, dialogue choices, factions to join, play styles to try, and even how to approach the game's ending. This means that it's often difficult for two playthroughs to come out the same way.

Not to mention DLC that adds more storylines, new maps, and more crafting options for your characters.

5

Plot – Fallout 4

Both games have pretty compelling storylines, and each has the twists and turns you'd expect from a genre like this. Fallout 4's plot is what makes it stand out from its competitors, even without the side quests.

The game has the classic plot structure you'd expect from a Fallout game, with support from different factions and enemies who all have good reasons for being in the space. This is also present in Stalker 2, but when survival takes priority in The Zone, the main plot is often put aside for long periods of time.

4

AI – Stalker 2

AI for both enemy and friendly characters is an important aspect of any game. While it helps bring the story to life, bad AI can make it too aware of the programs running behind the scenes.

Fallout 4's AI often feels a bit simplistic, with companions getting stuck in doors or falling behind only to reappear a few minutes later. Enemies are generally good at using cover, but they don't often do much more than shoot, hide, and shoot again.

Stalker 2's AI is surprisingly good at its job. The friendly ones will still get stuck or wander around from time to time (and can get struck by lightning frequently). But the enemy AI really doesn't mess around. The bandits will communicate with each other, flank, and throw grenades. And don't mess with the rabid dogs that make The Zone their home.

3

Characters – Fallout 4

The main and side characters in post-apocalyptic games need to match their setting, and both of these games have characters that do just that. Stalker 2 has a long list of random NPC stalkers and mercenaries looking to make a living.

However, Fallout 4 characters are completely different characters. Of course, there are still plenty of scavengers, raiders, and farmers to look forward to as humanity tries to survive on the edge. But there are also mutants who quote Shakespeare, the android detective, and Chinese submarine captains. It's such an impressive range that you'll never get bored.

2

Difficulty – Fallout 4

The difficulty of a game can be difficult to measure because people with different skill levels and familiarity with the genre do better than others. It would then be best to look at the range of difficulty options available to players.

Fallout 4 definitely tops this category. Stalker 2 is somewhat difficult even on the lowest difficulty setting. This means that new players to the series or genre may be put off by the learning curve. However, Fallout 4 has established itself as fairly accessible, especially with its variety of play styles.

Fallout 4 also has a hardcore mode. This means it's still a valid challenge for survival and RPG die-hards.

1

Winner – Fallout 4

Both games are strong games in their genres, but Fallout 4 barely makes it to the top. Fallout 4-inch crosses the finish line slightly faster than Stalker 2, as it's able to attract both new and old players with a variety of difficulty options, gritty characters, and a solid plot.

While each game will be a fun experience for fans of the genre, Stalker 2 lacks the extra features or scope that Fallout 4 offers.