S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Action
Adventure
RPG
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Steam Trading Cards
Steam Workshop
Partial Controller Support
Steam Cloud
HDR available
Family Sharing

Discover the vast Chornobyl Exclusion Zone full of dangerous enemies, deadly anomalies and powerful artifacts. Unveil your own epic story as you make your way to the Heart of Chornobyl. Make your choices wisely, as they will determine your fate in the end.

Developers: GSC Game World
Publishers: GSC Game World (worldwide) SEGA (Japan) 4Divinity (China and South East Asia)
Release Date: 20 Nov, 2024
Price (USD): 41,99€
Current Players: 7.8k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mostly Positive(77%)
immersion
gunplay
world design
sound design
atmosphere
narrative
exploration
survival mechanics
performance issues
AI inconsistencies
tedious travel
stealth flaws
Overall, players find immersion and atmosphere in STALKER 2 to be unparalleled, with engaging gunplay and world design drawing them into the game. However, persistent performance issues and AI inconsistencies detract from the experience, often resulting in frustration during gameplay. The narrative complexity and travel pacing are also points of contention, benefitting from more polish and refinement. Despite these issues, the game is recommended for those who are fans of the franchise or enjoy atmospheric survival shooters, but players should be prepared for a degree of technical roughness.

Positive Points

  • The game excels in creating an immersive, atmospheric experience with stunning visuals and sound design, drawing players into the world of the Zone.
  • Gunplay is satisfying and realistic, with a sense of weight and impact to the weapons that enhances the combat experience.
  • The open world is vast and offers deep exploration opportunities, rewarding players with a rich sense of discovery and environmental storytelling.
  • Players appreciate the game's adherence to the original tone and feel of the STALKER series, keeping true to its post-apocalyptic roots.
  • Negative Points

  • The game suffers from significant performance issues, including frequent crashes and frame rate drops, especially on systems with less powerful hardware.
  • Enemy AI is inconsistent, with issues such as perfect accuracy, seeing through walls, and erratic behavior that undermines the immersion and challenge of combat.
  • The game's pacing can be tedious due to long travel distances between objectives, making the experience feel drawn out without offering meaningful engagement during transit.
  • Stealth mechanics are flawed, with enemies detecting players too easily, diminishing the viability of stealth approaches in gameplay.
  • Mixed Points

  • The narrative is polarizing; while some players enjoy the story and character depth, others find it lacks coherence and engagement, relying too heavily on nostalgia.
  • While the survival mechanics are appreciated for adding realism, the inventory and weight management systems can be seen as overly restrictive and a source of frustration.
  • Common Themes

  • Immersive World: The detailed environments, atmospheric conditions, and sound design are consistently praised for drawing players into the Zone, creating a genuine survival experience.
  • Performance and Bugs: Many reviewers note a range of technical issues, from crashes to graphical bugs, impacting the overall playability despite enjoying the core gameplay elements.
  • Combat and AI: The combat is a central part of the game, appreciated for its realism but criticized for AI inconsistencies and difficulty spikes.
  • Exploration vs. Progression: The game offers a lot of exploration potential but is hindered by mechanics that can make traversal slow and combat encounters repetitive.
  • Updated 2/7/2026, 12:01:14 AM UTC