I haven't had the opportunity to play STALKER or Last Light yet, but Metro was one of my favorite FPS. ODST would probably be the only other I hold over it, not really into the genre at all but the few I do get into I really love.
I was pulled into the story & atmosphere, been searching for the book since playing the game but have had no luck with the local book shops & I haven't liked the price on Amazon so far. The gameplay was good, the story meshed well & at first I missed that there was the morality system. That got me replaying the game, also liked that despite being so inclosed there were still small secrets to find if you looked. And that they worked achievements into rewarding you for playing a level a different way.
Also besides Bioshock Infinite I think this game is one of the few with an alright escort system. At one point you rescue a kid, I groaned because I thought I knew what was coming... but no, I didn't have to defend some weak crappy AI. Instead they strap the brat to your back & even play around with your aim to simulate his weight, I fell in love with the devs just for that.

STALKER!!! STALKER!!! STALKER!!! absolutely!! STALKER is an FPS/RPG open world... Metro is nice, but is a simple linear fps..

I bought my copy of Metro 2033 from Book Depository. They often have better prices and offer free shipping. In this particular case the book is $5 cheaper than the best Amazon listing in the US:

http://www.bookdepository.com/Metro-2033-Dmitry-Glukhovsky/9780575086258

It's a large book and quite a long story, so a good amount of reading there if you enjoy the story.

Well actually, if you like FPS and don't really mind whether or not it's open-world, Metro might just be the better choice. Also... simple? Seriously? :D For what it is, it's pretty damn complex - and tough as nails.

Metro is a nice game, but S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is one of the best games ever. And that#s coming from someone who's not a big fan of FPS.

Thanks, I'll probably go with that!

As others have said go STALKER if you want more of an open world experience and METRO if you want a more linear experience.

If you end up going with the STALKER series then do check out their many mods, there's lots of graphical and gameplay enhancements to be had there.

Buy S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - not only is it a brilliant game, it's a proper PC game and I think that the US boxed copy is DRM free. Win - win.

Makes me feel good to see so many stalkers!

I'd say Metro is my personal favorite.

But in reality, I'd say you should play both.

You need to get both!

I do Not recommend getting clear sky though it is garbage!

Here Is S.t.a.l.k.e.r. S.O.C. with the 2009 HD Mod, upgrades everything!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgMMmSZDLdo

I got both - and I'd recommend you to do the same.

But if you HAVE to choose: get STALKER.

My copy of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. came in a classy tin case. I also got a classy tin case for ClearSky. So you can imagine how upset I was to have a copy of Call of Pripyat which didn't even come with a hard-copy manual.

BOTH! ;)

STALKER series are an open-world style shooter...

...while Metro 2033 is much more linear.
I haven't played Metro: LL yet; I'd expect that to be linear like Metro 2033.

I highly recommend both series.
Both are awesome, in their own ways.

So finally I get to play STALKER (my brother has been using the Desktop) but now I got my first chance to experiance this game, and since of course I am only scratching the surface, what do I think about the game well...

THIS GAME IS WHAT FALLOUT 3 AND NEW VEGAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN!!!

This world feels more survival oriented than Fallout 3/New Vegas, every gun fight I am on the tip of my toes, one mistake and I am dead.

Basically I like it :)

What I don't like is the story in which how its presented, basically what is going on. what is a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. anyway and what does it stands for.

And what are people doing in this place called The Zone?