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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (PC/Xbox Series) - update (12/23): GSC Game World plans next-gen console patch for Legends of the Zone Trilogy and PC version update of original games

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  • Commissar SFLUFAN changed the title to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (PC/Xbox Series | 20 November 2024) - update (11/12): Full PC System Requirements
AbsolutSurgen

AbsolutSurgen

Posted
Posted
10 minutes ago, Keyser_Soze said:

They certainly bumped up those recommended specs. :p

  

On 11/4/2024 at 2:33 PM, AbsolutSurgen said:

There have been lots of games that the "recommended specs" are for something like 1080p/60fps, medium graphics, no RT. 

That one column in Steam doesn't always mean a whole lot.

 

Hand76

Hand76

Posted
Posted

Ummm I have a 6 year old PC. Wasn't planning to upgrade till GTA6. 

 

I have the storage space, AMD 6600, 16GB RAM but..

 

I'm still on a first gen And Ryzen Threadripper 1950 (16 cores)

 

It's been able to easily run everything I throw at it on high, including this past years COD for what that's worth. 

 

Do you think I can get away with it here? 

Keyser_Soze

Keyser_Soze

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Best said:

@Biggie Do you have any interest in this?

 

It's gamepass day 1 on Wednesday. I'm pretty hyped but I'm really interested in how this reviews. 

 

Biggie is a scaredy cat, he wouldn't touch this game with a 10 foot pole. :p

Best

Best

Posted
Posted
Just now, Keyser_Soze said:

 

Biggie is a scaredy cat, he wouldn't touch this game with a 10 foot pole. :p

 

I never played a Stalker game so I had no idea it's "scary"?

 

I'd love to know what the review embargo is on this. 

Keyser_Soze

Keyser_Soze

Posted
Posted

Well the idea of walking around The Zone is horrifying on it's own.

Now throw in you exploring the world, alone, trying to survive in the world and against whatever mutant creatures have spawned from the fallout. :p

Plus the strange anomalies out in the environment, creepy scavengers, etc.

  • Hype 1
Best

Best

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, Keyser_Soze said:

Well the idea of walking around The Zone is horrifying on it's own.

Now throw in you exploring the world, alone, trying to survive in the world and against whatever mutant creatures have spawned from the fallout. :p

Plus the strange anomalies out in the environment, creepy scavengers, etc.

 

Sounds awesome. 

Spork3245

Spork3245

Posted
Posted
Just now, Best said:

"Stalker 2 reviews are set to drop just hours before its official release, according to recent reports".

 

Not good imo 😕 


It’s a game pass game, does it matter? :p 

  • Commissar SFLUFAN changed the title to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (PC/Xbox Series | 20 November 2024) - update (11/19): "4K NVIDIA DLSS 3 Comparison" and Global Launch Timing schedule
AbsolutSurgen

AbsolutSurgen

Posted
Posted

This one is going to be controversial.  Just read the PC Gamer review, where he called it his personal game of the year,  Then gave it an 83, and talked about why some people won't like it.

 

Sounds like it isn't as polished as it needs to be at launch as well.

Commissar SFLUFAN

Commissar SFLUFAN

Posted
Posted

Game Information

Game Title: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

 

Platforms:

  • Xbox Series X/S (Nov 20, 2024)
  • PC (Nov 20, 2024)

 

Developer: GSC Game World

 

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 77 average - 66% recommended

 

Critic Reviews

Spoiler

Hardcore Gamer - Jason Moth - 5 / 5

Stalker 2 is nothing short of a miracle. Developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World over the course of seven years amid a pandemic and a war -- among many other challenges -- Stalker 2 is a labor of love and the best type of sequel one could hope for. While many long-running franchises have strayed from their roots in an (often misguided) attempt to appeal to as many players as possible, Stalker 2 knows its core audience well and delivers exactly the type of game we were hoping for.


Game Rant - Josh Cotts - 9 / 10

After spending 55 hours in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, I have no qualms recommending STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl to post-apocalyptic enthusiasts.


GameGrin - Artura Dawn - 9 / 10

GSC Game World nails a unique mixture of genres between survival horror and open world with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. The atmospheric environments, engaging gunplay, and the constant feeling of threat culminate in a heavy recommendation from me for fans of the genre.


Gameliner - Bram Noteboom - Dutch - 4.5 / 5

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an immersive and atmospheric journey through the Zone, delivering gripping exploration and hardcore survival, though its ambition is hindered by technical issues, making it a flawed yet quintessential S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience.


GamingBolt - Shubhankar Parijat - 9 / 10

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl masterfully combines multiple genres to deliver an unmissable and entirely open world horror experience. Touting unparalleled emergent gameplay, stellar atmosphere, a captivating story, and gorgeous visuals, this is easily one of the best games available on Xbox Series X/S, even with the technical issues that hamper it.


IGN Spain - Rafa Del Río - Spanish - 9 / 10

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl offers us a powerful adventure of radioactive terror. A first-person horror sim with survival elements in which we will have to learn to survive and improve our equipment to reach the end of its complex plot. Monsters, anomalies and enemy factions join the arid terrain and dangerous emissions to turn the proposal into a unique experience in which learning and intuition are as important as exploration and quick thinking when advancing.


Nexus Hub - Andrew Logue - 9 / 10

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is everything I've ever wanted from a sequel - a refined world, plenty of emergent gameplay possibilities and stunning atmosphere add up to make an unconventionally great game.


SECTOR.sk - Peter Dragula - Slovak - 9 / 10

Stalker 2 brings the series into the modern era with stunning visuals while staying true to its hardcore FPS roots. The game retains what made the series unique, with difficult action, expansive environments and a rich story. However, minor issues such as weaker animations, AI and minor bugs detract from the experience.


The Games Machine - Emanuele Feronato - Italian - 9 / 10

One of the most beloved games is finally back, not without some flaws but full of content capable of gluing us to the monitor for weeks to come. A fantastic, alive open world, populated by credible NPCs who will accompany us along a well-narrated story with various side quests to be faced to obtain a particular item or for the sole pleasure of exploring the Zone. Excellently made maps, worthy of a PvP shooter (in terms of quality, the game is currently only single player), go hand in hand with survival horror atmosphere and gameplay. Some aspects, such as crafting and food management, are barely sketched, but S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will be able to break into the hearts of all first person RPG fans.


TheSixthAxis - Stefan L - 9 / 10

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an immersive experience like no other. It's a tense shooter, a gripping survival experience, an immersive explorable sandbox, and a stunning piece of art come to life despite the harrowing circumstances of the team behind it all.


TrueAchievements - Tom West - 9 / 10

It’s a miracle that we’re even playing Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl right now, yet GSC Game World has crafted a world so packed with detail and excitement that you’ll yearn to explore its mysteries from the moment you step foot in The Zone. While bugs are as rampant as its mutants, Stalker 2 outshines its adversities in every way, forcing you to face its darkest moments with courage and resilience — something its developer knows all too well. If you’re looking for a challenging survival shooter to lose hundreds of hours of your life to, this is it.


EIP Gaming - Cloude Graves - 8.8 / 10

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl lives up to its predecessors in a massive way. With a dangerous and stunning world, excellent gameplay, a tight story, and astounding sound design, STALKER has never been better. At the same time, the game is too easy, and doesn't mechanically incentivize exploration as much as it should, given how enjoyable that aspect is. Still, STALKER 2 is worth the wait, and newcomers will find it easy to sink right into the destroyed beauty of the Zone.


Generación Xbox - Pedro del Pozo - Spanish - 8.7 / 10

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is actually a difficult title to evaluate. We can't base ourselves on everything that the GSC Gaming World team members have been through to add points to the analysis or feel sorry for them. But the good thing is that it's not necessary, because after all that effort, I can say, categorically, that it has been worth it .


Spaziogames - Gianluca Arena - Italian - 8.6 / 10

Nor a sudden war neither fifteen years in development stopped the people at GSC Game World to show their potential once again: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Heart of Chornobyl delivers on almost all fronts, giving us a cruel and immersive world in which we can all get lost. We already know we won't have to wait too long for multiplayer and mod support, but let's also hope we won't have to wait another fifteen years for another game like this.


PPE.pl - Paweł Musiolik - Polish - 8.5 / 10

If it weren't for technical problems, we could talk about a timeless production. Unfortunately, the bugs drag the rating down a bit. However, this does not change the fact that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl lifts the burden of expectations and is a worthy continuation for which we have had to wait so long.


Tom's Hardware Italia - Andrea Riviera - Italian - 8.5 / 10

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is nothing short of a production miracle. Despite the well-known challenging working conditions, GSC Game World has managed to create a project born out of immense passion and love for the world of video games. From its dark and mysterious atmosphere to its well-developed shooting mechanics and a game world that is both thoughtfully designed and excellently written, the entire experience is undeniably captivating. Despite a few easily fixable bugs, the game stands as one of the most satisfying experiences in recent years. These developers truly deserve applause for what they have achieved, setting an inspiring example for game creators worldwide.


Zoomg - Afshin Piroozi - Persian - 8.5 / 10

Overall, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, despite having some issues mentioned in the review, is one of those games with a unique identity, creating a strange allure that pulls players in like a trap. Personally, when I wasn't playing, I had a strong desire to return and immerse myself in the mysterious world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, a feeling I can't recall experiencing with any other video game recently. The detailed story, which directly reacts to the gamer's behavior, engaging gameplay, and outstanding atmosphere are positive features that make S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 one of the most respectable titles of this year. Especially since the game is available on Game Pass, I highly recommend giving it a chance.


XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 8.4 / 10

After a tumultuous dev cycle, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 shines despite some rough edges.


PC Gamer - Joshua Wolens - 83 / 100

Just like in the old days, performance issues and bugs don't stop Stalker's mad, wonderful heart from shining through.


Gamer Guides - Patrick Dane - 81 / 100

While performance woes hinder it, STALKER 2 is a fiercely unique and immersive survival game. It asks the player to put in the work and struggle against its harsh systems that may turn many off. However, if you’re willing to persevere through its systems and technical issues, there is a special experience waiting to be found within the enchanting Zone.


Daily Mirror - Aaron Potter - 4 / 5

In many ways, Stalker 2 succeeds in being a bold modernisation of GSC Game World’s classic survival shooter packaged and prettied up for today’s audience. That said, it’s a sequel that also manages to stay true to its in-depth PC roots by retaining an emphasis on resource management, scavenging, and a world that is seemingly as wide as an ocean that’s somehow equally as deep. Prevalent bugs and purposefully clumsy gunplay aside, Stalker 2 is an impressive successor worth the decade-and-a-half wait, providing you’re willing to meet it on its own terms.


GameSpot - Richard Wakeling - 8 / 10

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is rough around the edges, but its propensity for creating emergent moments in a deadly and alluring world makes this trip back to the Zone a fraught and compelling experience


Gamer.no - Gøran Solbakken - Unknown - 8 / 10

Stalker 2 stands out as an impressive and immersive survival shooter. A huge, handcrafted world with interesting story choices, lots of content and quality all around. Refreshingly, you are not a superhero out to save the world, but a regular grunt trying to survive


Gamersky - 心灵奇兵 - Chinese - 8 / 10

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl remains true to its core philosophy: to create an immersive and unforgiving Zone that feels as alive as it is hostile. Every would-be explorer must endure harsh conditions and relentless challenges, testing their resolve until they either give up or fully embrace the Zone's brutal logic and become a part of it. This experience closely mirrors the spirit of the original trilogy, making S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 feel authentic to its roots. However, some of its hardcore and overly rigid systems may prove too alienating for a broader audience, potentially limiting its appeal.


GosuNoob - Srdjan Stanarevic - 8 / 10

I've come out through all the trials and tribulations of the Zone and all that was left on the other side was I, Stalker. That's all I wanted from this game, and it fully delivered.


IGN Deutschland - Eike Cramer - German - 8 / 10

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a game that, in my opinion, is all too rare in this form. GSC Game World has managed to create an incredibly atmospheric combination of survival, horror and end time in a fascinating environment. Despite all the shooter weaknesses, the wooden dialogues, the incredibly annoying anomalies over time and some dubious technical problems, I fell in love with this zone. You won't find that much freedom and mystery anywhere else. Added to this is a story that takes its time to get it going, but then surprises with cool factions and robust characters. This excursion to Chernobyl requires patience and stamina, but rewards you with spectacular views, fierce battles and an expressive end time.


INVEN - Kyuman Kim - Korean - 8 / 10

GSC Game World brings its ambitions to life in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, with a hauntingly atmospheric open field that perfectly captures the bleak, morally ambiguous life of a stalker. However, severe technical issues make even shader compilation feel like a prayer-worthy event.


Kakuchopurei - Lewis Larcombe - 80 / 100

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is not a game for everyone. Its unforgiving difficulty, steep learning curve, and technical issues make it a challenging experience, especially for newcomers. Yet, for those willing to brave its harsh world, the game offers a deeply immersive and rewarding journey, moreso than other open-world games.



For veterans of the series, it’s a triumphant return to form—one that stays true to the franchise’s uncompromising identity. For newcomers, however, it’s an intimidating introduction to a genre that demands patience, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace failure.


One More Game - Chris Garcia - 8 / 10

Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is an unforgiving and uncompromising affair that's not for everybody. For its target audience, it could quite possibly be the game they've been waiting for the past decade and a half, heralding the return of this beloved cult classic. The game is tough and will beat you down if you're not attentive enough, requiring a commitment to immersion.



The key to the game is to simply keep at it. The journey to get there may be painful and frustrating, and many players will certainly tune out in the process. Players who persevere will find a rewarding title and a living world filled with possibilities as time goes by, despite a number of bugs and rough patches.


Shacknews - Sam Chandler - 8 / 10

Fortunately, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is still on its path to greatness. It's just going to need a little more love to get it to its destination. I just hope the rest of the journey is a bit faster than Skif's walking speed.


TheXboxHub - Neil Watton - 4 / 5

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. There’s no doubt that this is one of the most immersive, grittiest, most brutal of games, for multiple reasons. It’s also one that will allow for a ton of opportunities, no matter whether you follow missions, help out the odd friend, or go it alone, exploring the world forevermore. There’s also no doubt that aurally, it’s of the very highest standard, helping complete the immersion.


XGN.nl - Richard Verweij - Dutch - 8 / 10

STALKER 2 isn't perfect and has some problems that aren't easy to fix, but it still delivers big time when it comes to its gameplay and graphics.


Atarita - Alparslan Gürlek - Turkish - 79 / 100

Stalker 2 has more bugs than we can tolerate, but it's still a very enjoyable game. The attention to detail in its huge open world, the new AIs and the new gunplay mechanics won me over. It also has great graphics and after a few updates I think it will be a must-play for everyone.


Uagna - Marco De Prospero - Italian - 7.9 / 10

Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl brings back one of the most iconic FPSs of the last 20 years. Despite the time that has passed, the guys at GSC Game World have created a worthy successor to the first chapter. The team decided not to distort the series, maintaining a high level of difficulty compared to other modern shooters. Each step into the Exclusion Zone could be our last: not only because of the creatures and enemies that will try to kill us, but also because of the atmospheric and radioactive anomalies that will put our survival skills to the test. On the side we find an excellent graphic and sound compartment even if there are several technical problems and bugs that we hope will be solved in a short time.


Everyeye.it - Riccardo Cantù   - Italian - 7.5 / 10

Fortunately, the extraordinary artistic inspiration of STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl makes up for most of these flaws and paints a still quite captivating picture that is worth getting lost in.


Hobby Consolas - Álvaro Alonso - Spanish - 75 / 100

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a unique experience in post-apocalyptic games. Unfortunately, it all falls flat due to a myriad of bugs and technical issues. We are hopeful, as beneath the radiation lies a game with enormous potential, but for the time being it is not advisable to venture into the Zone.


COGconnected - Mark Steighner - 74 / 100

Fans of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R franchise expect uncompromising action and are largely immune to the series’ rough edges. For them, S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 delivers, adding a vast open world filled with danger and discovery. The release day patch fixed many big issues, but the game still needs serious additional polish. Some casual shooter fans might be put off by S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2’s difficulty and opacity, but players who have patiently waited for S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 will be pleased.


AltChar - Semir Omerovic - 70 / 100

If Stalker 2 didn't have so many serious performance issues and bugs, it would be my Game of the Year. It has a great story, memorable characters, a unique world to explore, and great visual presentation - pretty much everything to keep you immersed for hours.


Checkpoint Gaming - Omi Koulas - 7 / 10

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an anomaly. It dazzles with stunning visuals, an eerie atmosphere, and gameplay that captures the soul of the original series. Yet, like The Zone itself, it's plagued by technical glitches, inconsistent performance, and design missteps that get in the way of its lofty ambitions. Despite its flaws, STALKER 2 has a strange magnetic force, and once you're in, it's hard to look away.


DualShockers - Jaime Tugayev - 7 / 10

As it stands now, STALKER 2 is fun and has a lot of potential, but it would be unfair to call it good. You can easily sink 100 hours into it without noticing, especially if you have a deep love for previous iterations. However, the performance issues, overall inconsistency in many areas, and clumsy presentation will hold this game back until a major overhaul comes.


Press Start - Brodie Gibbons - 6.5 / 10

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an achievement for so many reasons. As well as being the little game that could, given the team's real-world challenges, the game doubles down on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. way, delivering a sublimely realised sense of place with the Zone. Unfortunately, so much of the console experience is rendered so disappointingly undercooked.


GAMES.CH - Benjamin Braun - German - 63%

"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2" simply does not deliver enough and is too flawed to give it a good rating. The AI and game balance in particular are so bad that we cannot even recommend "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2" to fans of the predecessors, who are certainly used to suffering, without major reservations. It was not a complete disaster, and the fact that GSC Game World managed to get the title out in a playable form despite the war is certainly no small achievement.


CGMagazine - Erik McDowell - 6 / 10

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is the fourth game in the series, but the first proper sequel. The expansive story is decidedly more action-packed and


Dexerto - Jessica Filby - 3 / 5

Stalker 2 is brutal, unforgiving, and not for the faint-hearted. While its storyline is poised for new players, its gameplay feels the opposite, providing a hardcore experience for anyone looking to dive into the Zone. 


Nevertheless, Stalker 2 is the kind of game that ages like a fine wine, getting better, richer, and slightly bolder as you push through its 35-hour campaign. That being said, the performance issues and missing features do leave a somewhat bitter taste.


Eurogamer - Brendan Caldwell - 3 / 5

Full of anomalies in more ways than one, Stalker 2 is a mess of bugs and jank that nonetheless stays faithful to the open world survival shooter of yesteryear.


GamesRadar+ - Andrew Brown - 3 / 5

Stalker 2, in its current state, has too much baggage to overlook


TheGamer - Branden Lizardi - 3 / 5

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a perfectly average open-world survival shooter. It’s an interesting setting with well-realized characters, but it’s held back by unsatisfying gunplay and a run-of-the-mill sense of exploration. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. But if you’re a fan of games like Fallout, or you enjoyed past Stalker games, then this one is worth your time.


Stevivor - Hamish Lindsay - 5 / 10

[PROVISIONAL SCORE] The fact that STALKER 2 is complete and ready for an imminent release is nothing short of a miracle. It’s just a shame that my experience... is damaged by a constant stream of ever-present bugs and issues.


Digital Trends - Jason Rodriguez - 2 / 5

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl crumbles under the weight of its own ambition.


ACG - Jeremy Penter - Wait for Sale

"While Stalker 2 holds its head up high in delivering a game that is unlike so many others we see recently. It's one major similarity is bugs and performance issues. A fine shooter, with a unique world, and fantastic moments marred by technical problems"


GRYOnline.pl - Dariusz Matusiak - Polish - Unscored

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a game you love despite its flaws, not for being perfect. The superb atmosphere, immersion, gameplay, game world and audiovisual setting collide with technical flaws that shouldn't have happened on the day of release, though we probably expected a bit of that.


GamePro - Dennis Michel - German - Unscored

The hope remains that future patches will at least fix most of the problems mentioned, especially the buggy sound and the poor enemy behavior, in the coming days. And who knows, maybe Stalker 2 will experience a resurrection like Cyberpunk recently did and even put some mechanics like the fast travel system to the test again.


Gamepressure - Izabela Budzynska - Unscored

Although this may not be a perfect game, it must be honestly said that no one ever expected this from Stalker. The atmosphere, harshness, and unforgettable adventures in the Zone matter - and Stalker 2 has more than enough of that.


GamingTrend - Henry Viola - Unscored

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an undoubtedly remarkable achievement in atmospheric game design. This post-apocalyptic experience offers an unmatched dynamic open world that is bound to satisfy long-time fans of the series. However, the extremely poor technical hiccups and hardcore yet niche nature of the game prevents it from getting a full recommendation. This is not a game for casuals.


Insider Gaming - Grant Taylor-Hill - Buy

This enormous, immersive survival FPS is the cream of the crop, and it’s a bar to which every developer in the genre should aspire to reach.


Rock, Paper, Shotgun - James Archer - Unscored

It's incredibly buggy, but persevere and this survival FPS will reward you with intense shootouts and some wonderfully atmospheric free-roaming.


Skill Up - Ralph Panebianco - Not Yet

Video Review - Quote not available


Wccftech - Alessio Palumbo - Unscored

This is a game that knows precisely what it wants to be, although that doesn't mean it is balanced enough to be fun all the time. The feeling of playing a stalker thrust into this inhospitable world against seemingly impossible odds is always present, for better or worse. However, unless you're really dying to enter the Zone right away, I would recommend waiting a little longer while the developers (and possibly modders) fix and improve the game further.


gameranx - Unscored

Video Review - Quote not available

 

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