ActionAdventureRPG
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition
The first 3 hours are a test
Gets good by 3h almost every game dips in hours 2–3
Reach the ending at least 16% of players who started
Started playing 86% of owners
Steam reviews 63% positive of 8,850
What the data shows
- In the first 2 hours 1 in 2 reviews are negative (62%); after 4h it's 1 in 5 (21%).
- The opening is criticised more than in 90% of games we track.
- At least 16% of players who start reach the ending.
- The biggest drop-off is between “You're finally awake...” (Do not think too much, act!) and “A decent start”: from 100% to 69% of starters.
- 86% of owners got the first achievement.
When it gets good
Share of positive reviews by how many hours the reviewer had played when writing the review.
before it gets good opening up fully opened up
Based on all 8,924 Steam reviews in every language. Median playtime in a sample of 285 reviews: 12.8h for positive, 6.9h for negative. Almost every game is rated lower in the first 2–3 hours: that window includes refunds and quick first impressions. What matters is how deep the dip is and how fast the game recovers.
Where players quit
Share of players who started the game and reached each story milestone. 100% is the most common achievement (85.7% of owners), so people who bought the game and never launched it don't count.
- Started playing 100%
- You're finally awake... Do not think too much, act! 100%
- A decent start You helped Tolik and saved him. Who knows, maybe someone will show mercy to you? Most players quit here 69% −31
- No Loner stands alone Do not allow bandits to defeat Bis and his men. 46% −23
- Law and Order You've saved Yurik and proven that the Zone is not a place where the strongest rule. 40% −5
- The Man cave You found Strelok's stash, the search continues. 38% −2
- Lab Rat The venture to Yantar was worthy. Your brain is protected now! 25% −13
- Explore and protect You managed to save professor Kruglov and did not let the Zone extinguish his light. 21% −4
- The Wish Granter You get what you deserve. ≥16% −6
story milestone ending (most common ending) biggest drop-off
Story milestones were labeled by AI from achievement names and descriptions; mistakes are possible.
All achievements (44)
story milestone ending side
- You're finally awake... Do not think too much, act! 100%
- A decent start You helped Tolik and saved him. Who knows, maybe someone will show mercy to you? 69%
- No Loner stands alone Do not allow bandits to defeat Bis and his men. 46%
- Law and Order You've saved Yurik and proven that the Zone is not a place where the strongest rule. 40%
- The Man cave You found Strelok's stash, the search continues. 38%
- Garland Fill all 5 slots with artifacts. 33%
- The worst stalker in the Zone The Zone has no place for empathy. Tolik has learned it the hard way. 29%
- Lab Rat The venture to Yantar was worthy. Your brain is protected now! 25%
- Legendary armor You found the Ghost suit and honored his legacy. 24%
- Meet the creator Good Ol' Days! 24%
- Bread-expert You have eaten 25 breads. 23%
- Explore and protect You managed to save professor Kruglov and did not let the Zone extinguish his light. 21%
- Killer Kill 500 stalkers. 21%
- Freedom vs. Duty Choose your side in this conflict. 20%
- Weapon of the future Get Monolith finest weapon. 20%
- Explorer of the Zone This is how it ends. 19%
- Sidorovich's apprentice Finish the game on Novice difficulty. 19%
- Chornobyl safari Kill each mutant at least once. 19%
- Stalker legend Find each common and rare artifact in the Zone. 19%
- Get out of here, Stalker The guide has shown you where to go. 18%
- Follow your steps Find Doctor who will tell you the truth. 18%
- Sentry This village gave you shelter, and you have not forgotten this. 17%
- In the Zone! Finish the game on Stalker difficulty. 17%
- The last mammoth in the Zone Only for 800? 17%
- Headhunter Even the Zone remembers deserters. 16%
- Knock-Knock Now you're onto something. 16%
- Gladiator The champion of the Arena. 16%
- The Wish Granter You get what you deserve. 16%
- Stoic Decoder opened the secret Sarcophagus doors for you. 15%
- Too good to be true You have seen the Monolith, but did not succumb to the call. 15%
- Terminator Threaded SPSA-14 is yours. To scare and protect! 15%
- I'm all but certain it was... Meet Sidorovich for the last time. 14%
- I'm done with drinking for good You have drunk 25 bottles of Cossacks. Hope the time was well-spent. 13%
- S.U.R.V.I.V.E.D. Finish the game on Veteran or Master difficulty. 13%
- Boltman Die from 5 different anomalies. 13%
- Hunting season Kill 250 mutants. 12%
- Mole's weapon Become the owner of unique Walker 9 x 18 pistol. 11%
- Fanged armor Find Fang exoskeleton. 11%
- Maximum endurance Equip all endurance artifacts. 11%
- The Door Vinci Code No doors can stand between you and your goal. Even ones that lead nowhere. 10%
- Your dogstiny You have sold 20 dog tails. 10%
- The smile of Martha Find the beautiful Martha. 9.7%
- Hiker Tourist suit is yours. Now you can go for a walk and enjoy nearby anomalies. 9.3%
- Party on the beach Equip all beach-themed artifacts. And do not forget the lights! 8.2%
Steam page Updated: 2026-10-19.