|
|
|
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYL
review | XBOX SERIES X
|
Publisher: GSC Game World.
Developer: GSC Game World. Released: November 2024. Genre: FPS. Other versions: PC; PS5. Posted 21st January 2026. By Shane Battams © 2026 |
|
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl’s journey to eventual release was even more fraught and lengthy than the original game. Very few titles have suffered cancellation, a studio closure (and its reopening), repeated delays, and a military invasion of the developer’s home country en route to eventual release. It’s a minor miracle that GSC Game World’s first S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game in 15 years made it out, but it would finally emerge in 2024, evening seeing a console release thanks to the power of ninth-gen systems. Those worrying that this new effort would lose the hardcore ethos and complexities that made the series beloved can rest easy: for better or worse, this sequel retains all you’d expect from the series.
Set around a decade after the original trilogy, Heart of Chornobyl follows new character Skif, an army veteran whose apartment has been left devastated by an anomalous event. Left with only an artefact, he ventures into the perilous Zone to try and get money for a new home, but his efforts soon see him attacked and left without his artefact. Thus, Skif begins a journey through the hazardous exclusion zone to seek revenge and the funds to start again. Admittedly, it’s not a story that will hook you instantly, as the various pieces of the narrative take a long time to align with each other. It seems like a repetitive journey of seeking one person out, only to be sent to another, but eventually the stakes start to rise, and it begins to burn brightly.
Atmospheric locations draw the player into a perilous scenario. It's punishing at times, but a great old-school test
Characters, both new and returning from the series, are well voiced and boast intelligent writing, which hides nuances that become more pronounced as you make key decisions. The story itself is very malleable, as decisions see you siding with various factions, altering the broader mission path. Initially, you are sent to find sensors that you can then either give to the local Stalkers or the military Ward group, and this sends you down two completely different sets of missions, and changes how characters perceive you around the Zone. Your choices lead to one of four endings, which tie heavily to who you ally with throughout the game, and it lends itself to a lot of replayability. This is quite a feat, considering a first run could take you between forty and sixty hours, depending how much you explore and tackle side quests.
Like prior entries, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 offers tough survival gameplay. On the middle difficulty setting, you must contend with a myriad of woes along with mutants and enemies who can take you out fast. Bleeding sees you gradually losing health until a bandage is applied, while radiation quickly depletes health. Weapons and armour degrade with use, requiring Coupons to repair, while dangerous energy anomalies can kill those unprepared in a matter of seconds, as shown with an electro ball near the start of the game. You must also allow for sleep to avoid tiredness, stamina being consumed through sprinting or jumping, and overencumbering your inventory leading to slower movement.
Like prior entries, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 offers tough survival gameplay. On the middle difficulty setting, you must contend with a myriad of woes along with mutants and enemies who can take you out fast. Bleeding sees you gradually losing health until a bandage is applied, while radiation quickly depletes health. Weapons and armour degrade with use, requiring Coupons to repair, while dangerous energy anomalies can kill those unprepared in a matter of seconds, as shown with an electro ball near the start of the game. You must also allow for sleep to avoid tiredness, stamina being consumed through sprinting or jumping, and overencumbering your inventory leading to slower movement.
FOCAL POINT: IN THE ZONE
|
|
Speaking of exploring, the Zone’s scale and world-building is something few games can match. Divided into just over twenty areas, navigating is certainly time-consuming as there are no vehicles and fast travel is initially limited. However, visiting nearby camps, each with their own tone and assortment of characters to meet, allows you to restock and even pay a guide to escort you to another area. Random events occur around the map, seeing you aiding a fellow Stalker trapped in an anomaly field, getting caught up in a shady deal, and even seeing rival factions duke it out; all of which helps bring the world to life. Highlights include the sleep-inducing Poppy fields, the literal Garbage Zone with bustling slag heap safe spot, and the initial Lesser Zone, with newer Stalkers finding their feet.
Shooting also proves tricky as realistic bullet trajectories and jamming guns can leave you vulnerable to attack. The slew of weaponry is enjoyable, however, ranging from rustic assault rifles to modified shotguns and snipers. Mutants remain a tough foe to overcome, whether it’s the packs of rabid dogs who hit-and-run or powerful telekinetic mutants who can swipe your gun out of your hand. Even human foes can be tricky, utilising flanking tactics to overwhelm you, though you can use a knife for a stealthier approach, which saves ammo and direct combat. You’ll likely die a lot, but luckily, frequent autosaves and manual saving can help you. The Rookie difficulty is more story-driven for newcomers, while conversely, Veteran provides the ultimate survival test.
Heart of Chornobyl’s presentation is also a standout. It’s not always the prettiest of games, with some unsightly side characters, the odd low-res texture work and distracting performance dips, but it’s also distinctive and intricate enough to paper over these issues. The day/night cycle can see you shrouded in darkness or bathed in sunlight, each creating a distinctive atmosphere which marries well with impressive weather effects. Whether it’s the rustic Zalyssia with its makeshift shops, or the haunting Burnt Forest, every zone offers a unique tone thanks to the visuals. The audio is also fantastic. Exploration offers too many cool touches to count, whether it’s the howling of nearby animals, the crunching of branches beneath your feet, or hearing nearby Stalkers telling jokes around a campfire. Voicework, in either English or Ukrainian, is strong, and the sparingly used music adds power to key scenes and gunfights.
Heart of Chornobyl’s presentation is also a standout. It’s not always the prettiest of games, with some unsightly side characters, the odd low-res texture work and distracting performance dips, but it’s also distinctive and intricate enough to paper over these issues. The day/night cycle can see you shrouded in darkness or bathed in sunlight, each creating a distinctive atmosphere which marries well with impressive weather effects. Whether it’s the rustic Zalyssia with its makeshift shops, or the haunting Burnt Forest, every zone offers a unique tone thanks to the visuals. The audio is also fantastic. Exploration offers too many cool touches to count, whether it’s the howling of nearby animals, the crunching of branches beneath your feet, or hearing nearby Stalkers telling jokes around a campfire. Voicework, in either English or Ukrainian, is strong, and the sparingly used music adds power to key scenes and gunfights.
|
|
The elephant in the room is something S.T.A.L.K.E.R. fans will be familiar with: bugs. The original was infamous for them, and initial reviews criticised Heart of Chornobyl for a severe lack of polish. However, many months later, it’s far more refined and playable, though it still suffers from issues that are distracting and annoying. Bodies can up and disappear or ping into the air, enemies can become static and not attack you or getting shot while using your PDA can see the HUD vanish until you pause. These aren’t too bad, but you’ll experience rare crashes, sometimes get stranded on a conversation screen, or suddenly become unable to interact with people or items. These instances were rare, but stuck out like a sore thumb.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is certainly not a game for everybody, as the impatient or unfamiliar will likely be scared away by the pacing and brutal survival elements, not to mention some noticeable bugs. But to be honest, it’s actually quite endearing to see how little GSC Game World altered their design from previous entries. In a landscape where open-world titles have become quite homogenised, you can safely say there is nothing like this game on the market, and the care and craft shine through despite some technical blemishes. Deeply immersive, hugely open-ended, and bursting with life and activities to partake in, it’s a game worth checking out if you are seeking something truly different from the norm.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is certainly not a game for everybody, as the impatient or unfamiliar will likely be scared away by the pacing and brutal survival elements, not to mention some noticeable bugs. But to be honest, it’s actually quite endearing to see how little GSC Game World altered their design from previous entries. In a landscape where open-world titles have become quite homogenised, you can safely say there is nothing like this game on the market, and the care and craft shine through despite some technical blemishes. Deeply immersive, hugely open-ended, and bursting with life and activities to partake in, it’s a game worth checking out if you are seeking something truly different from the norm.
|
|
VERDICT
"Deeply immersive, hugely open-ended and bursting with life and activity. For those not phased by S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2’s formidable difficulty and occasional bugs, it’s different and absolutely worth checking out." OVERALL: 8/10 |
OTHER GAMES LIKE THIS REVIEWED