We were demoed all this and more in a vast new territory called Marshlands. Stalker is at its most disconcerting when it looks inviting: the marsh looks clean, and the skies are beguilingly bright, but this place proves just as horrible as any other part of the Zone. In the thick grasses are a new enemy called Marsh Beasts: leaping bloodsuckers that pick off unlucky members of a squad pushing through the marsh. They were dragged off out of sight, howling and kicking, as the rest of the squad tried to take the Marsh Beasts down.

Once at the control point, foes appeared and the battle for the territory began. AI teammates are still autonomous, doing their own thing, but now they're correctly using cover as they move through the land. Another plus point.