S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl launches: Everything to know about year’s most anticipated game
The long-awaited S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is now available to players (photo: Getty Images)
On November 20, S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl was released, a long-awaited game that fans have been waiting for for almost 12 years. Despite six official postponements, the game has already outsold Counter-Strike 2 on Steam, remaining one of the most anticipated new releases among gamers around the world.
RBC-Ukraine takes a look at the main details of the game that millions of people have been waiting for.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Heart of Chornobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl immerses players in a large, gloomy post-apocalyptic world where survival becomes both a challenge and a strong emotional experience. The game takes place on a 64-kilometer map inspired by the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
The game's dark beauty is reflected in its desert landscapes, muted color palette, and oppressive atmosphere. Players will have to cross vast swamps, ruined buildings, and treacherous anomalies, facing mutants, warring factions, and the existential weight of the Zone itself.
First problems during game
Despite the fact that the game conveys all the harshness of survival, it is far from perfect. Combat, though responsive, suffers from artificial intelligence errors: enemies often get lost or appear literally out of thin air. Bugs such as floating heads or characters falling through textures disrupt the immersion of the game world.
These shortcomings reflect the difficult history of the game's development, during which the Ukrainian studio GSC Game World was forced to move from Kyiv to Prague due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl plot
The story focuses on a character named Skif, who travels to the Zone after his home is destroyed by an anomaly. Players can join different factions. However, the narrative may seem confusing and disjointed.
Despite this, the game reveals itself through sudden gameplay events: chaotic shootouts, unpredictable AI actions, and a frightening cycle of day and night that affects strategy and survival.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is on the verge of greatness, offering an expressive world and atmospheric storytelling. For those willing to overlook the technical issues, the game delivers moments of dark genius, conveying the harsh essence of survival in a hostile and mesmerizing environment.
We also wrote about how long it will take to complete S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
