HAVING COMPLETED THE GAME, I CAN TELL THAT COMMON SENSE HASN'T. HONESTLY, CALLING THE ARTIFACTS MAGICAL, ANYBODY WHO HAS REALLY PLAYED THE GAME WOULD TELL YOU OTHER WISE. a REALLY BIG MISTAKE IN THE COMMON SINCE REVIEW IS SAYING THAT THE GAME TAKES PLACE AROUND THE TINE OF THE ORIGINAL DISASTER, RIGHT OFF THE BAT CHARACTERS STATE THE THE DATE IS NEARLY 30 YEARS LATER ALSO, THE BODIES AREN'T DESTRUCTIBLE, IN OTHER WORDS THEY DON'T BLOW INTO CHUNKS, YOU CAN LAY 1000 ROUNDS INTO A CORPS ALONG WITH A GRENADE OR 2 AND THEY WON'T FLY APART. FURTHERMORE, THE GAME HAS HUGE AMOUNTS OF FACTS ABOUT THE ORIGINAL DISASTER AND THE GAME MAP IS BASED OFF THE REAL EXCLUSION ZONE, DOES THAT NOT QUALIFY IT AS AT LEAST MODERATELY EDUCATIONAL, YOU GUY'S REALLY NEED TO BE MORE ACCURATE.
Tools for this page
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
(2007, Video Games - First Person Shooter, Rated M, Play it on: Windows)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
A creepy, mature, first-person sci-fi shooter.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
-
Educational value:
What to watch out for
-
Violence :
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Parents need to know that the extreme violence and gore in this game make it an adults-only affair. Anomalies tear bodies apart, characters and animals bleed profusely when shot, and chunks of flesh fly freely when hit by more powerful attacks. It is possible to shoot others in the head, which results in a reward during multiplayer gameplay. This game offers online play, which Common Sense Media does not recommend for anyone under 12.
Read our full review by Marc Saltzman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how this game is purely science fiction. While it takes place at Chernobyl, years after the real-life nuclear disaster there, you are primarily shooting radioactive creatures and other baddies. Why do you think producers chose to use a real-life disaster as the setting? With mature teens who play this game, you may want to discuss what happens to people and vegetation near a nuclear accident or bombing.
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!
To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.
Our Members Say
See all 8 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in OregonI rate this title on for age 2 and give itDID YOU ACTUALLY PLAY IT!!!
- Lives in OhioI rate this title off for age 17 and give it
awesome game for adults
A good game with decent graphics
- Lives in WashingtonI rate this title off for age 17 and give it
Abortion
This is a russian made game, that features charactors drinking whiskey to gain health. Unfortunately the game designers probably drank too much themselves. The game is an absolute abortion, from start to finish. And the game designers have been leaving super positive reviews on any media they can find. The game was never finished after 5 years of 'work' on it. It was rushed out to beat all the directX 10 games to market. It's Just a fustrating experience and a total waste of money.
- Lives in OhioI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
fools
Once again commonsense, you are brain dead fools. this game isn't even over-the-top violent. and the blood level of this game isn't high either. it's almost as if you people just look at the back of the box and write crap about what you think the game is like. This game has moments where it'll scare you, but does that make it mature? The graphics aren't that great so the violence is not even as realistic as you think. Common sense, get some real reviewers...
- Lives in WashingtonI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Some iffy content, but should be ok for a mature gamer.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.
Already a member? Log in
Our Members Rate It
Do You Play It? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
.jpg)