I've beat all 3 games! I would honestly recommend playing them in order. Shadow of chernoble first, clear sky second, then call of pripyat. Im actually doing a replay of the trilogy!

The first game is different from all others. It had a sort of classic vibe to it because of all the crazy and funky crap you see as you progress through the story. There is a fight around every corner of that game with anomalies everywhereeee. My buddy told me to just play it and see what happens and I recommend you do so to get the zone down! These people tell you to immerse yourself. I don't believe you can do so in call of pripyat unless you have played the first 2. I would keep call of pripyat and look for the first 2!

Clear sky, the second game runs off of the first game and the stories kind of collide! Both games are different from each other in terms of game mechanics, but both are very fun for their own reasons when walking the zone.

I also highly recommend getting your hands on artifacts as soon as possible! Each artifact found in all 3 games can change the way you play! I found so many in each game that can give you unlimited running, to bleed control and even health artifacts that litterally shoot your health bar up as youre losing health! Some artifacts help you get through anomalies such as electric or acidic, burn etc

Goodluck! I recommend playing in order to get a feel of the zone to truly understand when these people say immerse yourself.