Quite frankly the most underrated video game ever developed. I first entered the zone amidst Obama's first campaign for emperor of planet earth back in the late 2000s. My first playthrough took me a little over 60 hours. This was during a time when steam would only log playtime for up to two weeks, than poof.

I remember absolutely loving the game upon its release. I even played a little multiplayer for a while when it was populated. The multiplayer was jank as hell, and everyone had terrible ping. Pretty sure I hovered in the 300s. Nobody cared, we loved being in the zone.

Garbage, Bar, Wild Territory, on and on. This game is more about the characters then the quests, and the characters are mostly silent. Its about exploring new and interesting locations that are sometimes creepy, but always atmospheric. It is a game that compels you to become immersed in it. To a degree which few other games can even dream of achieving.

This game right here? This is the rose that grew from concrete. Upon re-installation of the game with the addition of Autumn Aurora 2, I basically became the zone. Putting down bandits like old yellar, I sought after Strelok, stalking him as if I could predict his every move. I penetrated the most savage of irradiated lands ducking under anomalies that could shatter shins in an instant, just to recover another marvelous meat chunk.

Upon exiting the lab in Yantar, with rain pitter-pattering down on my computer screen as I gazed off into the clouds, I realized this was life. Hunched over my computer desk, headphones up to my neck and surrounded in complete darkness, I was home.

I knew now that I could never return to an existence outside of the zone.

Whether you like sausage or canned tuna, you will enjoy this game. Just embrace the archaic user interface and I'm confident you will manage.