STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl has suffered numerous delays over the past few years, which is more than understandable considering the conditions under which the game is being developed. Developer GSC Game World has been making this game partially from a warzone following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ve also been targeted by Russian-backed hackers and even suffered a fire at one of their offices. Needless to say, it’s been a rough road.
That said, GSC Game World is now describing their new September release date as the “final” one, which hopefully indicates the game is in a state where they’re quite confident they can deliver it by then (barring any further disasters). You can check out a brief new teaser trailer offering up the release date, below.
In a press release, GSC Game World clarified the new delay, saying that based on fan testing, the feeling of STALKER 2 was right, but the polish wasn’t quite there. Thankfully, fans can expect to see a lot more of the game before it finally arrives in September…
“Two key points emerged from that [testing]. The first one was: it absolutely felt and played like a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game, which basically summed up both the key intention and the main inspiration for the project from the very beginning. The second one was: on the technical side of things, the game apparently needed more time in the oven.
Throughout the frankly challenging development process, time was of the team’s main essence. Seeing the scope of polishing and understanding the limits of the players’ patience, GSC was absolutely dedicated to releasing the game in Q1 2024. That, however, doesn’t change the fact that at the beginning of this year, certain technical imperfections still hold S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 below the expected standards for the final experience the fans are waiting for.
This extended journey to the release will be supported with much more content from the game to be shared later this year.”
Haven’t been keeping up with STALKER 2? You can check out some new screenshots here, and an official rundown of the game’s features, below.
“The Heart of Chornobyl has never been beating so loud as it is right now. The Zone is calling for stalkers, who are ready to delve into the non-linear journey through a sinister open world in the Eastern European post-apocalyptic setting. STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a next-gen sequel to the award-winning PC game franchise developed by GSC Game World, set to deliver a unique open-world action experience of survival in the post-apocalyptic Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.”
- Experience one-of-a-kind gameplay, featuring all the elements of a first-person shooter, immersive sim, and horror.
- Play a major part in a non-linear story that unfolds in the setting of local post-apocalyptic dark science fiction. Your Duty is to decide the fate of the Zone.
- Benchmark-setting graphics powered by the Unreal Engine 5.
- Official mod support, granting the crafty stalkers Freedom to expand and enrich the game universe.
- Multiplayer mode is coming soon after the release date as a free update for the game.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl now launches on PC and Xbox Series X/S on September 5. What do you think? Excited to finally get your hands on this GSC’s impressive passion project?
