sZone Online

When the first STALKER appeared in 2007, it was immediately dubbed a descendant of Strugatsky's cult novel called Roadside Picnic. This game brought with it the development of a new game setting. The world of Chernobyl, with all its atmosphere and unpredictability, really appealed to fans of the genre. Therefore, they began to expect the appearance of an online Stalker game from GSC. It was meant to combine mutants, abandoned neighborhoods, and artifacts in one project. However, instead, the game sZone Online appeared, which became the brother of Stalker. You can find out about it on the MMOTOP.ORG website.

Creating a game

Interestingly, the creators of sZone Online immediately wanted to disown their relationship with STALKER. Of course, this turned out to be impossible, because the new game turned out to be very close to the cult game about Chernobyl, not only externally but also in many technical parameters and gameplay characteristics. The development of sZone Online spanned over three years, targeting a niche market of post-apocalyptic game enthusiasts, primarily in Eastern Europe. The game was finally released in 2011 and has since been available on PC platforms.

Plot

According to the story, the player finds himself in an old abandoned train station, where he was brought by an old Soviet-era train. The clothes and appearance of the character are absolutely unremarkable and not much different from the appearance of the homeless you meet on your way. At the same time, you will not see any hints in the interface, nor will there be any on the mini-map. All this contributes to the real romance of hopelessness and detachment. Interestingly, there is no comprehensive training course for newcomers, adding to the game's steep learning curve.

Gameplay

To get the first pistol, you will have to complete a few fairly simple tasks. When getting acquainted with the interface, the absence of all kinds of hotkeys immediately attracts attention, which would have been very useful. Additionally, the inability to progress through the ranks of the same stalkers is quite limiting. The map is not well done either. Especially confusing are the many identical icons on it, the meaning of which is not always clear. Also, it is not entirely correct that the player cannot take off his starting equipment.

Graphics

On the contrary, the graphics and landscapes are very pleasing. Abandoned buildings with open windows look intriguing, peasant huts look attractive, and there are many useful things to be found. The tunnels are very gloomy and atmospheric, of which there are many. However, you can’t build a game on landscapes alone, as not only graphics are important, but also the gameplay itself.

Skill System

sZone Online offers a rather interesting system of skills, the development of which is divided into three areas: Combat, Support, and Survival. The easiest way to upgrade is through the experience gained in battles, which simply involves shooting at all moving objects. To improve Survival, you will need to climb abandoned buildings in search of artifacts. To level up Support, the player will have to collect various useful things from acorns or paper clips. However, it is quite difficult for any beginner to develop due to the small size of the initial maps, where many of the same stalkers roam in search of useful containers. The quests at the initial levels also do not offer large rewards, and the prices in local stores are quite high.

Visual Highlights

The visuals in sZone Online are not encouraging at all. The game is full of identical NPC dummies that do not move at all when talking to you. The use of old textures, which even SEGA fans may not like, also looks unpresentable. As for the animation, it is generally more like moving bots in Counter-Strike. If you want to create a more or less individual image of a character, you are unlikely to succeed. There are no thugs in tattoos and gray-haired old men here. Instead, sZone Online offers many identical clones in camouflage clothing. Snowfalls occurring in game locations look more presentable. Also somewhat pleasing are the swaying trees, which look very original here.

Summary

In general, under the appearance of Stalker and the gloomy atmosphere, a rather inexpensive and ill-conceived game is hidden, which can attract players only with bright pictures of landscapes. In fact, this project is still quite raw and unfinished. According to its characteristics, it did not even manage to get close to the famous Ukrainian blockbuster. It turns out that sZone Online has become far from the most successful reincarnation of the famous series, featuring poor graphics, a primitive interface, and many glitches.

MMOTOP.ORG Review

sZone Online attempts to capture the essence of the STALKER series but falls short in many areas. While the atmospheric landscapes and detailed environments provide a strong visual appeal, the game suffers from a lack of polish in both its interface and gameplay mechanics. The absence of hotkeys and the poorly designed map can be frustrating for players. Additionally, the game's outdated textures and animation do not live up to modern standards. However, the skill system adds a unique aspect, dividing development into Combat, Support, and Survival, though beginners may find it challenging to progress. Overall, sZone Online has potential but needs significant improvements to compete with leading titles in the genre. We rate it 55 out of 100.

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