So, we’ve all seen the announcement of Turok coming back to the PC, and I know there’s many of us that would drool at the oppurtunity to really go head to head with Dinosaurs. However, as much as this desire may be, our bold Dino-hunter isn’t the only one making a comeback soon.

First off, we have the announced S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Skies, (gameplay Vid here) which is set to be an expansion pack for the old game. In this expansion, the time is set a year before the events of STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl. We play the role of a Stalker from a rival faction, set out to kill Strelok, the protagonist of the first game. The expansion will flesh out the story of the character a bit more, while expanding more on the history of the zone itself.

(Hit the jump for more details, as well as info on the next F.E.A.R. expansion, titled Perseus Mandate.)

From what can be gleamed, it appears that the entire Zone is being reworked visually, with the intention of showing a harsher, more chaotic place than in Shadow of Chernobyl (where it is said that the Zone has actually ‘calmed’ a bit). About half the areas are being reworked, twisted into hopefully something new, while the other half will be entirely new areas.

It also appears anomalies will be reworked completely, to prove to be a greater hazard overall (something which comforts me greatly, considering how little a threat they were before) as well as the artifact system. The latter in particular, appears interesting as it appears you cannot visually see artifacts anymore, but rather have to use a special sensor that leads you to it. However, while the sensor is out, you cant use more than a pistol, forcing you to be incredibly careful in potentially hostile areas (or with mutants).

Speaking of mutants, the AI - especially when it comes to other Stalkers is where they’ve focused a lot more attention from the looks of it. There will still be the seven factions from the old game, but with a new, eight one along for the ride. These factions will constantly fight each other out in the Zone, much as in the original game - although I hope that they fix how each side’s soldiers spawn, and the numbers in which they do so. It was incredibly wierd and unrealistic to see so many Bandits in such a hostile area - wierder still to have them suddenly pop out of nowhere and start attacking you.

Players will be able to ally themselves with any faction, and the higher a rank they get within it, the more faction specific missions they’ll be able to unlock. This alone indicates a potential for multiple different and unique endings, increasing the game’s replayability a lot. Shadow of Chernobyl had more than 5 endings, each of which was only achieved under unique circumstances. If what is said is true, then Clear Skies may just have even more!

Either way, STALKER: Clear Skies looks like it’ll be an awesome addition to the game, even though it’s going to be a prequel. From the looks of it, it’ll be a stand-alone expansion, since its being hinted that DX10 compatibility may be present (but sadly, not promised).

The other return, is that of our all-time favorite villains to beat and shoot up. Monolith recently held a contest to choose the name of their F.E.A.R. Sequel. While that contest may now be over, they’ve announed the release of the second FEAR expansion, aptly named FEAR: Perseus Mandate.

So far, little information has really been released, but from can be seen you play as a different character from that of the Pointman, in a story that runs directly alongside that of FEAR and FEAR: Extraction Point. Whom this character is right now is unclear, but will probably be revealed at a later date. It also appears that on certain points, you’ll have AI characters working and assisting you to complete certain missions. In addition, from the gameplay video it appears we’ll be having a whole array of new weapons with which to destroy those poor Replica soldiers by the droveful.

Speaking of Replicas, on a more personal note one of the things I hope they do is beef them up a bit. They died all too quickly in the original game, while Extraction point just made them come at you in larger swarms, as opposed to making them individually tougher.

It looks like an interesting development, either way. Seeing the FEAR storyline from a fresh perspective is always a good thing, even if it doesn’t really focus completely on the creeply little girls, and cannibal brothers. The expansion is set to be stand-alone, much like FEAR: Extraction Point. In addition, Fear files is being released at about the same time for the Xbox 360, which will hold both Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate.

Sources: IGN, PC World and http://www.computerandvideogames.com/

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By N2H

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