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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Action
Adventure
RPG
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Steam Trading Cards
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: Nov 20, 2024
Price (USD): $59.99
Current Players: 1.3k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mostly Positive(78%)
immersive atmosphere
stunning visuals
engaging storyline
combat mechanics
open-world exploration
nostalgic elements
Unreal Engine 5
open-world map
dynamic events
performance issues
crashes
AI problems
bugs
optimization
Overall, the game receives positive feedback for its atmosphere, world-building, and graphics, yet faces considerable criticism for technical issues, AI performance, and certain gameplay mechanics. For players familiar with the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, it remains a nostalgic experience that feels unfinished and lacking in some areas. While updates have addressed numerous bugs, many players feel the game needs further polishing before it can reach its full potential.

Positive Points

  • The game offers an immersive and atmospheric open-world experience reminiscent of the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games.
  • The storyline and exploration are engaging, with many players finding the game to be a captivating journey.
  • Graphically, the game is praised for its stunning visuals and detailed environments, creating a haunting yet beautiful depiction of the Zone.
  • The combat and survival mechanics are well-received, with many players enjoying the challenge and realism they provide.
  • Despite technical issues, many players reported improvements after updates and patches, indicating ongoing development support.

    • Negative Points

  • Performance issues are a major concern, with frequent crashes, stutters, and poor optimization reported, even on high-end PCs.
  • The AI is often criticized for being lackluster and inconsistent, lacking the dynamic and unpredictable behaviors found in previous titles.
  • Some players find the game to be a watered-down version of previous S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experiences, citing lack-luster enemy spawns and combat encounters.
  • The game has bugs and technical glitches that can disrupt gameplay, which remain problematic for many despite several patches.
  • The storyline can become complex and convoluted, leaving players confused about certain plot elements and character motivations.

    • Mixed Points

  • The game's atmosphere and visual aesthetics are highly praised, yet some criticize Unreal Engine 5 for contributing to performance issues.
  • While many players appreciate the large open-world map, others find it empty and lacking in dynamic events or meaningful interactions.
  • The nostalgic elements are welcomed by fans, but some newcomers find references to previous games confusing without additional context.

    • Common Themes

  • A strong sense of atmosphere and environmental storytelling is a recurring theme praised by many players.
  • Technical performance, specifically optimization and crashing issues, is a major theme of concern across reviews.
  • The immersive exploration aspect of the game is frequently mentioned, with players enjoying discovering secrets and navigating anomalies.
  • There is a shared sentiment that while the game echoes the legacy of its predecessors, it falls short in capturing the same depth and dynamism.
    • Updated 5/25/2025, 12:00:49 AM UTC
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