S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Key changes and What you need to know about the new version of the game

A new game is set to launch soon, with fans eagerly awaiting the legendary return of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise. Next week, the second installment, titled Heart of Chornobyl, will hit the shelves.

Our team has prepared an overview of what’s to come in this iconic game, including gameplay changes and storyline details that fans of the cult series can expect.

Trailer: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Heart of Chornobyl

Gameplay and Storyline

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is an open-world game with straightforward objectives: explore locations, upgrade equipment, complete story missions, and engage in battles against mutants and hostile factions. Developers promise various side activities, including additional quests.

As in previous installments, players will need to hunt for artifacts. The developers have made artifact hunting more challenging—and thus, more interesting.

• NHL 25: Main changes and innovations in the new version of the simulator

The new version reintroduces "survival" mechanics. Players will need to monitor radiation levels, armor and weapon condition, and the weight of gear and inventory items. Overloading will slow down the character.

Players must also feed the protagonist and ensure they get enough sleep. Ignoring these needs can lead to hallucinations and poorer shooting accuracy.

Overall, the new game will feature a fully open world. In previous versions, the Zone was split into large, separate areas that required loading times to access new locations. Now, the game world will be seamless.

Notably, some levels are based on real locations in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Players will explore 20 regions, each with unique enemy types and anomalies.

"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 offers a massive, seamless open world made up of 20 regions, each with unique characteristics—architecture, inhabitants, anomalies, and even nature. Many of them could be standalone games," said Dmitry Anoshko, Level Art Team Lead.

Plot

Briefly, the story revolves around a stalker nicknamed Skif. In 2006, a second disaster struck the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, altering the region’s physical, chemical, and biological makeup and spawning numerous anomalies, artifacts, and mutant creatures.

• By the way: EA FC 25: Key changes, pricing, and release date

Unreal Engine 5

The game’s new version uses the updated Unreal Engine 5, which, according to developers, promises high-quality graphics and detailed visuals.

"Experience next-gen graphics brought to life by Unreal Engine 5. Official mod support provides creative stalkers with the freedom to expand and enrich the game universe," reads the statement on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. website.

Enhanced Combat Mechanics

Combat with mutants and bandits has also been revamped. It’s now more challenging, demanding caution and strategic thinking. Even encounters with just three bandits could prove formidable, requiring players to hide, peek carefully from cover, and use medkits when necessary.

• Also: Fans are furious. Football Manager 25 release delayed until spring 2025

Interesting Facts

• Mutants will feature various types and subtypes. Monsters of the same species will look different depending on their region.
• New mutants have been introduced, such as the psi-deer, which can create phantom clones and summon smaller creatures.
• Enemies will behave differently depending on the situation. Each foe has two behavior scenarios: in non-combat mode, humans go about their business, while mutants and animals roam in packs. But when attacked, enemies switch to aggressive mode and cooperate. Some enemy types can even choose a leader and change leaders during combat.
• For the first time in the series, weapon and clothing skins will be available. Notably, these skins won’t impact weapon stats.
• New gadgets will also be introduced, as the events in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 occur in the present day. Some devices have been inspired by studying artifacts.
• The game includes over three hours of cutscenes recorded with actors using motion-capture technology.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Heart of Chornobyl System Requirements

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 10, Windows 11
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 1600X / Intel Core i5-7600K
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
• Storage: 150 GB
• Additional: SSD

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 10, Windows 11
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X / Intel Core i7-9700K
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 8GB / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8GB / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11G
• Storage: 150 GB
• Additional: SSD

Release Date and Pricing

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Heart of Chornobyl will be released on Wednesday, November 20, for PC and Xbox Series. There will be three editions: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Ultimate Edition.

Prices for PC and Xbox Series are as follows:

• Standard Edition - $59.99
• Deluxe Edition - $79.99
• Ultimate Edition - $109.99