S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky - Final Hands On @ Gamespot

Gamespot does one last hands on preview prior to the forthcoming release of GSC Gameworld's S.T.A.L.K.E.R. prequel Clear Sky, promising a review for next week:

Clear Sky is a shooter, pure and simple, but also throws in elements of role-playing and survival horror games. Weapons are rated in strength, accuracy, rate of fire, and overall condition, which all deteriorate over time. Luckily for you, enemies tend to drop their own weapons when they, you know, die, and you can grab low-level replacements at any time. There are also a number of parts like scopes and larger ammunition clips that can be combined with firearms to increase their respective attributes. Early on we can already say how fun it is to pimp out your gun with items earned in the heat of battle. Although there is no custom creation tool for your looks, the combinations of weapons and armor at your disposal are endless.

Their final thoughts:

At this point, it's fair to say that fans of the original Stalker will enjoy Clear Sky as well. It's not without its foibles--cheesy dialogue, punishing difficulty, unfriendly checkpoint system--but the customization and open world offer a unique experience in an engaging universe.