S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is expected to be a huge hit. 13 years after the last entry in the series, the game is releasing on consoles for the first time.

GSC Game World, one of the many European developers, is currently in the middle of an invasion from Russian forces that have disrupted their lives. The team has put development on hold to help their employees and their families. The Ukrainian people have been supported by other game companies, such as CD Projekt, who have stopped sales of their games.

Everything you need to know about S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 can be found in this guide.

Further read.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 release date

Survivors around a camp fire in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl was supposed to be released on April 28, 2022, but was delayed until December 7, 2022. After the home city of GSC Game World was targeted by a Russian invasion, the game was once again delayed. The team has put work on the game on hold because of the situation. The team stated in a video that the game development shifted to the sideline. We will keep going. The victory was celebrated after. Glory to the people of Ukranian. Their full message can be found below. There is some disturbing footage in this video.

Despite the terrible conflict still going on, GSC has put together an update and a new diary detailing how they are still working on the game. The game is supposed to be released in the year 2023.

Platforms

Wasteland in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is exclusive to the XBOX platform. The game is launching on multiple platforms. The game will be available through the game pass. The leaked documents show that the game will only be a console exclusive for three months.

It doesn't mean the game is coming to PS5. The PS4 version is not the PS5 version. Due to limited performance capabilities, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 won't come to last-gen systems.

Trailers

The trailer for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was shown during the Xbox Series X game showcase. The wasteland is shown through a series of striking images, setting the mood for the game. The trailer is below.

The site invites players to discover the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone full of dangerous enemies, deadly anomalies, and powerful artifacts. As you travel to the Heart of Chernobyl, you'll uncover your own epic story. The future of the Zone in the End will be determined by the choices you make. The actions you take will have a big impact on how the narrative ends. Not much is known about what the actual story will be apart from it being non- linear and focused on bounty hunters.

According to the voices we hear, the area known as the "Zone" could reveal a whole new world. When a truck drives into this area, all the electronics start to malfunction, the road starts to crack, and the truck ends on a shot of debris floating around a small beam of light.

Gameplay

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was shown off during Microsoft's conference. A group of survivors huddle around a campfire in the trailer. You can see it below.

A lot of systems are shown in the trailer. Attachments for your weapons can be grabbed around the environment and you can attach them right away. The player grabbing a scope and a silencer without going through an inventory screen is shown in the video.

There is an updated Bloodsucker design that looks similar to Cthulhu. The visuals look crazy in the trailer. Microsoft didn't say what system the game was on.

GSC Game World released a commentary video about some of the points from the reveal.

There is a lot of action but survival mechanics will still be involved. This open-world game needs to manage hunger, radiation, and stamina.

Multiplayer

An explosion in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.

A free update for the game will be added after launch, and there is only one comment about it. You won't be able to compete against friends at launch, but you will after.

DLC

Detecting an anomalie in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.

The previous S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games have not received DLC. Outside of the two expansions, the game will probably get more DLC.

The season pass entitles owners to all the post-release downloadable content in addition to the two story expansions. There is an exclusive side quest in this edition that could be used in DLC.

cosmetic DLC is also expected Costume and weapon skins are included in the game's Ultimate version. We will likely see cosmetic DLC after the launch of GSC Game World.

Preorders

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 physical version comparison.

The pre-orders for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl have been stopped, and refunds have been given. We know everything that will be available even if the option to be reinstated isn't available.

An exclusive pre-order pack includes campfire content, weapon and armor skins, and an early bird Multiplayer Badge, regardless of the version.

There are a lot of different versions to choose from. The Standard Edition has the game, the bonus pack, and exclusive steam content. The other digital versions have something included.

Deluxe edition

  • $80
  • All Standard edition content
  • Special extra quest
  • Digital artbook
  • Official soundtrack
  • One costume and three weapon single-player skins
  • Two costumes and three weapon multiplayer skins

Ultimate edition

  • $110
  • All Deluxe edition content
  • Three costumes and seven weapon multiplayer skins
  • Two story expansions
  • Season pass

There are four different physical versions of the game. The standard version comes with the game, a steelbook case, a letter from the developers, and a sticker pack. This is what the other versions have in common.

Limited edition

  • $80
  • All Standard edition content
  • Zone map
  • Poster
  • Faction patches
  • Military token
  • Multi-tool with fire starter

Collector’s edition

  • $180
  • All Limited edition content
  • Deluxe digital content
  • Collector’s art steelbook
  • Art book
  • S.T.A.L.K.E.R. figurine

Ultimate edition

  • $340
  • All Collector’s edition content
  • Ultimate digital content
  • Ultimate art steelbook
  • Artifact Container lamp
  • S.T.A.L.K.E.R. backpack

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