It’s time to venture into the heart of darkness! S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is finally here, launching on Xbox, PC and Game Pass.
GSC Game World, the Ukrainian studio behind the acclaimed S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, is finally releasing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl on Xbox Series X|S and PC. This highly anticipated open-world survival horror FPS has been a long time coming, and it’s now available for those brave enough to face the dangers of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
A Return to the Zone
Fans of the series will remember our reviews of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy (Shadow of Chornobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Prypiat), where we explored the irradiated wasteland and encountered its mutated inhabitants.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl builds upon the foundation of its predecessors, offering a deeper and more immersive experience than ever before.
A World of Danger and Wonder
In S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, you’ll scavenge for resources, hunt for artifacts, and make tough decisions to survive the harsh realities of the Zone.
Explore a vast and atmospheric open world, encounter mutated creatures and factions vying for control, and uncover the secrets hidden within the heart of Chornobyl. There’s a reason why this one is front and centre of our most anticipated games of November article.
Features That Will Make You Feel Like a Stalker
- Open-World Exploration: Venture through the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, a vast and dangerous landscape filled with anomalies, mutants, and hidden treasures.
- Survival Gameplay: Scavenge for resources, manage your inventory, and craft essential items to survive the harsh conditions.
- Intense Combat: Engage in challenging combat encounters against mutated creatures and hostile factions.
- Story-Driven Narrative: Unravel a compelling story filled with mystery, intrigue, and moral dilemmas.
- Character Progression: Develop your character’s skills and abilities to adapt to the challenges of the Zone.
Choose Your Edition, Enter the Zone
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is available in three editions (and a physical drop):
- Standard Edition (£49.99 or via Game Pass): Includes the base game and access to the core experience.
- Deluxe Edition (£65.99): Includes the base game, bonus weapons and suits for both single-player and multiplayer, a bonus side quest, an official artbook, and the original soundtrack.
- Ultimate Edition (£89.99): Includes all Deluxe Edition content, additional weapons and suits for multiplayer, the Season Pass (granting access to two future expansions and all DLCs), and the official artbook and soundtrack.
- Physical Edition: Prefer your games on disc?
“It feels utterly surreal to say that, but after more than 7 years in the making, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is now released. That’s totally wild. So was the whole development story. What started as the most ambitious game by GSC eventually turned out to be an ultimate personal challenge. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was always supposed to be a truly Ukrainian product, showing our culture to the world in the ongoing effort of the nation to be recognized. I truly believe the team we have consists of exceptional people, but I never actually thought they would be finishing the game under the circumstances like these. Despite all the odds, it’s there. Our biggest game, our own story, our love letter to Ukraine. All the time, effort and passion we put into this is about to be witnessed by the players from all around the globe. After 15 years, the doors to the Zone will be opened once again”, – says Ievgen Grygorovych, CEO and Game Director.
A Story of Resilience
The development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a story of resilience and determination. As highlighted in the documentary “War Game: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2“, the team at GSC Game World faced unimaginable challenges during the game’s creation, including the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This powerful film offers a glimpse into the dedication and perseverance of the developers, making the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 even more significant. Seriously, give it a watch.
A Must-Play for Survival Horror Fans?
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is quite possibly going to be a must-play for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys immersive survival horror experiences. With its atmospheric world, challenging gameplay, and compelling narrative, this game is sure to deliver an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Zone.
Stay tuned for our upcoming review of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl on Xbox.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Description
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is the unforgiving FPS survival adventure in a dark science-fiction open world. Scavenge for gear and resources, hunt for wonders, make hard decisions to survive and pave the path through the Chornobyl Anomalous Zone.
