Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review – An imperfect return to The Zone
After a gap of fifteen years since the last release, Stalker: Call of Pripyat, we find ourselves back in this world once more.
I really want to enjoy Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl without any preconceived notions weighing me down. I played the original games during my childhood, but I only came to appreciate them fully over time, thanks in large part to the modding community that improved them. I have a feeling that this newer installment might follow a similar path.
As someone who enjoys classic games and the glitch-filled adventures from Bethesda, I can usually handle what we in the industry call 'jank.' However, Stalker 2 stands apart from its earlier versions, making it a bit more challenging to accept.
Many of the original games relied on text or simple cutscenes to tell their stories, which often came across as a bit unpolished. In comparison, Stalker 2 is highly cinematic and features outstanding performances. However, it falls short at times—like when I'm discussing the secrets of the Zone while using a Walkman and a pair of floating headphones, with the character positioned several meters away.
It's a pity, because I truly want to see Skif, the main character who has been touched by the Zone, succeed. My experience during the hands-on preview was much more enjoyable and seamless.
In Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, a set of headphones and a cassette player are seen suspended in the air. GSC Game World
In our preview video, I emphasized the rocky journey that GSC Game World has faced while developing Stalker 2. It's hard for me to imagine creating a game under such challenging conditions. While I truly understand the struggles the developers have encountered, it’s unfortunate that Stalker 2 has been affected by these difficulties.
GSC Game World has borrowed the formula and elements from classic titles that contributed to their success, making updates where needed. However, similar to those earlier games, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl requires additional time for development.
At its core, there's an outstanding game waiting to be discovered, and I found myself appreciating it even more with each passing moment. It undeniably captures the essence of Stalker.
A helicopter hovers above in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. GSC Game World
As a dedicated fan, I found the experience unexpectedly overwhelming. While the core mechanics and gameplay remain similar, the game now features a completely open world that can be stunningly beautiful, thanks to the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. However, this impressive visual upgrade does come with its own set of issues.
Returning to the places featured in the original stories is an unusual experience, especially when you encounter and engage with familiar characters from those narratives. This integration feels genuine rather than merely a gimmick for fans. The characters are reintroduced in a way that feels natural. Since Skif is on his journey to becoming a legendary figure in the Zone, it’s only fitting that he would cross paths with those who have paved the way before him.
Searching for artifacts is just as enjoyable now as it was in 2007, and the sense of relief after making it through and coming back to safety is a strong feeling.
Gun battles are now more intense than ever, with AI effectively seeking cover, generously throwing grenades, and aggressively advancing to flush you out.
A shootout in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. GSC Game World.
Guns have a powerful and impactful feel, and mastering them takes practice. Over time, your firearms will also degrade, and there's nothing like a jammed weapon to increase your adrenaline when a mutant monster is coming after you.
The sound design is outstanding. The Zone creaks and moans, as if it's resisting your arrival. Sounds boom and rumble around you. Mutants let out chilling roars. The anomalies produce noises that are just as bizarre as their appearance.
I mentioned it briefly before, but Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl features a cast of incredible characters that I genuinely connect with, as well as some that I can't stand (in a good way). The voice acting in Ukrainian is outstanding, while the English version doesn't quite capture that same magic.
The people living in the Zone have a sense of inevitability about life that can be challenging to express in words. Ukrainians have faced numerous hardships throughout history, from the oppressive reign of the Tsars to the horrific famine of the Holodomor, the occupation and atrocities committed by the Nazis, the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, Soviet control, and now the ongoing invasion by Russia. Countless individuals have experienced suffering and loss. Many survivors from these dark chapters are still alive today, and the impact of those events continues to be felt in their lives.
Fatalism isn't merely about resigning oneself to destiny or surrendering; it's more about the capacity to coexist with the terrifying realities without being overwhelmed. This perspective is what makes the characters in the Zone feel authentic. You can sense it in the way everyone speaks.
Strider, who used to head the Monolith faction known for its spiritual beliefs, sums it up perfectly: "There are things that matter more than simply being happy."
When it comes to switching between languages, English-speaking actors often struggle to convey the nuances of a story because they lack the shared cultural background and firsthand experience. This highlights the significance of representation in the arts, as certain narratives are most effectively expressed by those who have experienced them. If you’re able to and subtitles are accessible, I strongly suggest choosing the Ukrainian language version.
One of the elements that contributed to the authentic feel of the original games was the lively atmosphere created by a system called A-Life. This system enabled non-player characters (NPCs), whether they were human or mutant, to live their own lives without relying on the player's actions.
It's unfortunate that in Stalker 2, A-Life 2.0 undermines the impressive world and characters, as the inhabitants of the zone seem to participate in strange suicide ceremonies. They come together in small groups to end each other's lives just to reward you with a significant amount of loot.
A figure in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. GSC Game World
I encountered these darkly humorous situations so often that they started to feel almost ridiculous. It was either that or a group of bandits, mutants, or soldiers appearing right where you had just been, and suddenly a notification pops up indicating you're being tracked from behind in a manner that seems somewhat contrived or low-effort.
Characters can behave oddly at times, with NPCs occasionally stuck in a T-pose or appearing partially buried in the ground. During my gameplay, I encountered just one major crash, but overall, the game's stability appeared to get better as the review period went on, especially with a day-one patch on the way. However, we’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
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In certain aspects, Stalker 2 can feel like the opposite of the original games. The story, character performances, and cutscenes are impressive (when they function properly), but the actual gameplay can sometimes fall short.
The previously mentioned Unreal Engine 5 creates stunning landscapes. Lumen contributes significantly to enhancing the world's liveliness, giving underground areas and caves a genuine sense of darkness at times, while also making the day-night cycle appear seamless and realistic.
However, a lot of these effects rely on timing methods that utilize data from previous frames to determine the appearance of the lighting. Since it's software-based, like Lumen, there are built-in flaws that lead to a final output that's often grainy and sometimes out of focus.
An emission event in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. GSC Game World
When I played the game on a Razer Blade 17 with an Intel i9-12900H, Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti 16GB, and 32GB of RAM, I found myself depending heavily on Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling to achieve playable frame rates at 4K. Unfortunately, this increased the blurriness since it uses Lumen samples from a lower base resolution. Additionally, the foliage tends to shimmer and blend together, making it more challenging to spot enemies and notice any anomalies in the environment.
On the bright side, when the game is released on PC, it will precompile shaders, which should significantly reduce stuttering issues. In my conversation with Technical Producer Yevhenii Kulyk, we discussed the efforts made to optimize Unreal Engine 5 for such a large open world. They've had considerable success with this, but you'll need a powerful gaming rig to run Stalker 2 smoothly and achieve clear graphics.
In the end, reviews are a mix of personal opinions and some objective facts. In this case, I'm focusing more on my personal experience. Even with the glitches, the quirky elements of A-Life 2.0, and the performance issues, the Zone captivated me in a way that few other settings do. I found myself wanting to continue playing, deeply engaged with the story, the characters, and the overall fate of the Zone, which kept me moving forward.
A mutant in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. GSC Game World.
At the beginning of my experience with the game, I found myself making significant choices right away. I was constantly considering who I might ally with, betray, rescue, or abandon in my next run, and I was curious about how those decisions would shape the outcome of the story.
The potential for mods is incredibly appealing, and if the developers can fulfill this expectation, Stalker 2 is likely to enjoy lasting popularity.
If you're uncertain, you can check out Stalker 2 on Xbox Game Pass, which makes giving it a try a pretty safe option. However, for those who pre-ordered, you might feel let down depending on how much the day-one update improves the game.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has the potential to be an amazing game if GSC Game World can refine it further. At the moment, it occasionally shines with moments of brilliance but is hindered by technical issues caused by some unfortunate events.
At the moment, I'm unsure about the direction the conclusion of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl will take. The journey to its release has been lengthy, challenging, and full of obstacles, but there’s still a long way to go for GSC Game World.
Stalker 2 has officially launched for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and is available on Xbox Game Pass. Our review focuses on the PC version.
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