STALKER 2: Heart Of Chornobyl release date, gameplay, trailers & platforms

I'm certainly not alone in my excitement for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and we've got all of the gameplay details, trailers, platforms, and release date so that you can stay informed.

There has obviously been a significant disruption to the development of the game in the past two years with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but both GSC and fans of the game remain incredibly excited to step back into the void over a decade later.

Not only does the latest entry into the series boast stunning graphics, but also new systems that will be sure to keep you on your toes. You never know what monstrosities will be waiting for you around in corner, so you'll want to use all of the tools at your disposal.

The release date for STALKER 2 has finally been confirmed, and the game is now scheduled to launch on September 5, 2024.

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As GSC Game World are an Ukranian game development studio, the development of STALKER 2 was understandably put on hold in February 2022. It has since been able to relocate to Prague and resume development, but this has obviously had a significant effect on the game's release window, which was last scheduled for December 2023.

There have been a few trailers so far, with one announcement trailer that displayed various scenes and locales in the game, along with two gameplay teasers which take place from a first-person perspective. 

This first trailer was released in July 2020, and just shows some in-engine scenes, with one showing the famous Chornobyl big wheel. It also displays some spooky scenes, highlighting the anomalies and paranormal aspects of the series.

The next trailer to release was in January 2021, which teased some gameplay, with scenes of a character running through some ruins before suddenly being attacked by a chair.

Additionally, there was a full gameplay trailer shown during E3 2021. It cuts between a conversation with some STALKERS. and shows various gameplay sections, with some combat, exploration, and scavenging thrown in. It put to rest some worries from fans of the series, as it showcased an unmistakable STALKER identity.

We also received what has been titled the 'Come to Me' trailer for the game, which is ideally closest to what we are likely to see when we get to jump in ourselves. This showcased some exciting new gunplay, alongside the new earth-warping mechanics that appear to be key to your activities within the zone.

Coinciding with the announcement of the release date was another short trailer, which shows a number of key characters surrounding a fire. While this is very minimal, it definitely serves its purpose by displaying the stunning graphics and intriguing atmosphere that encompasses the Zone.

We will let you know whenever any new trailers make their way out for STALKER 2 though, so keep your eyes fixed on this guide for further details.

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Previous STALKER titles were first-person survival RPGs, with a focus on hardcore gunplay, bleak atmosphere, scary monsters, and paranormal artefacts that can manipulate the world around them.

The general premise of the series, sees groups of mercenaries and bounty hunters delving into the Zone (the area around radiated Chornobyl) and hunting for treasures and otherworldly mysteries.

The trailers have shown that the game still retains many of these features, and will likely feature warring factions and quests which can tip the scales of power in the zone, like the previous entries. 

With ten years and multiple generations between the last title and the upcoming STALKER 2 Heart Of Chornobyl, the developers should have the means to expand the systems and concepts from the original games.

Open-world and non-linear mechanics have been officially confirmed with the most recent official trailer, showing the player's ability to roam the zone as they please. GSC also spoke about the A-Life system, which simulated the world and inhabitants of past games, and A-Life 2.0 seeks to do the same but with more detail and potential. 

The story details are sparse currently, but GSC has confirmed it will be non-linear, along with stating that "your choices will influence both short-term consequences and global outcomes." The first game in the series saw you hunting a specific STALKER who was inside the Zone, and following a similar narrative would help introduce the world to the new players likely to hop on board.

Is STALKER 2 an Xbox platform exclusive?

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At this current time, the only platforms that STALKER 2 is scheduled to release on are the Xbox Series X|S and PC. The game will also be a day one title on Xbox Game Pass, so if you have the subscription service you won't need to purchase it separately.

There are no current plans to bring the game to PlayStation or any other consoles, but we will make sure to update this guide if this does change in the future.

So, that's everything we know so far about STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, giving you all of the latest details regarding the release window, gameplay, platforms, trailers, and more.