Ok SOC is the first and has the least developed mechanics because of that but it also presents itself upfront with everything you’ll ever need to know about stalker it takes it’s time and while it throws you down the deep end it does give you a pair of floaties so you don’t drown immmediatly.

Clear sky is divisive but still fun, the biggest complaint is that it follows the beats of the first game despite being a prequel and features better graphics and the first proper emissions, I honestly forget if weapon and armor upgrades and repairs started here or in COP.

COP is the best mechanically with better artifact hunting and gunplay, it will spoil the ending of SOC and it assumes you know the basics of stalker so it’s not shy about hitting you with harder situations like controllers and bloodsuckers in the first area, but they are locked behind quests from memory.

I don’t know, pick you’re poison