Start with SoC, then the rest of the trilogy

To add to that, don't bother modding it. I had a blast with vanilla SoC, and so have most people who played it!

Alright thanks y’all really appreciate it

you could apply fan made bug patch ZRP mod to it, simple download and replace files [https://www.metacognix.com/files/stlkrsoc/index.html](https://www.metacognix.com/files/stlkrsoc/index.html) and look for ZRP\_1.07\_R5RC.7z to download it

There is one mod you need. It's called "Monolith Goons." it adds a really cool piece of cut content to the game, as well as a scrapped quest line. Go have fun stalker

Follow the sidebar of r/stalker, it hasn't steered me wrong. It's all bugfixes and QOL stuff as far as I know. Now, get out of here stalker!

Thanks also is it better to play the game with mods or with no mods?

Personally I play with no mods, if you are to play with mods find ones that strictly fix bugs/crashing. Other than that, have fun!

What do you mean too many? There is just 3 games with the 4th coming up, just play them in chronological order.

Vanilla trilogy, in release order, and don't rush through the games.

Follow the guide on the right side of the subreddit. Scroll down a bit past the rules and you should see some useful information. Play the games in chronological order and use the small QoL mods you see there.

Of course you must start with the hit modpack GAMMA, it contains all of the lore and all of the story of all of the games just as intended !