August 25, 2023, 11:57 am | Read time: 6 minutes
It’s not often that a successful video game series has to wait 14 years for a sequel. However, after “Stalker: Call of Pripyat” ended with a huge cliffhanger, the time is ripe for a follow-up.
The Ukrainian studio GSC Game World is represented at Gamescom 2023 as part of the Ukraine Pavilion. TECHBOOK gathered the first impressions of “Stalker: Heart of Chornobyl” at Microsoft. The game is set to be included exclusively in the Game Pass subscription at launch. But how did “Stalker 2” fare in the first mini-test?
Overview
“Stalker 2” Comes with a New Engine
While the first three games in the series were released at two-year intervals, part 4 took a full 14 years. Originally announced in 2010 and slated for a 2012 release, financial problems and layoffs at GSC Game World led the studio to first pause and then completely halt development in 2012. It wasn’t until a restructuring and the launch of “Cossacks 3” that GSC Game World resumed development of “Stalker 2” in 2018–with a new engine, Unreal Engine 5.
In 2022, due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the studio had to pause development once again. The headquarters have since been relocated to Prague, and the game is on track to be released at the end of 2023 or early 2024.
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What the Game is About
“Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl” is set once again in the “Zone”–a restricted area around the Chornobyl nuclear power plant (the Ukrainian name transliteration). The Zone is fraught with dangers such as radiation, anomalies, and mutated creatures. Despite this, the area attracts adventurers and treasure hunters–known as Stalkers. They are in search of valuable artifacts found in the Zone.
The “Stalker” games combine shooter, survival, and horror in an unusual package. After the 1986 nuclear disaster, the Zone developed a unique biosphere, full of dangers but also secrets and treasures. Players must be wary of radiation and anomalies, as well as dangerous mutants. It’s advisable to always be well-stocked with food, water, radiation medicine, and bandages.
“Stalker 2” also introduces a new protagonist who, according to his own words, “got a blow to the head at work” and then woke up in the Zone–”with nothing but his birthday suit.”
From Bolts to Gauss Rifle–Versatile Equipment Needed
To face the dangers of the Zone, a Geiger counter and bolts are part of a Stalker’s basic equipment. Yes, bolts–they are used to trigger gravitational anomalies, allowing safe passage for a short time.
An arsenal of weapons is also essential: from handguns to shotguns and sniper rifles, up to the Gauss rifle. And, of course, a knife is a must. As with the predecessor “Call of Pripyat,” equipment can be upgraded and customized. But beware, weapons need maintenance to avoid jamming at critical moments.
The Creators Stay True to the Look
While the predecessors left it up to players how to reach their goals, “Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl” lends a bit of a helping hand. Finally, there’s a GPS system that accurately shows quest marker positions.
Otherwise, much seems to remain the same. The graphics, thanks to the new engine, are worlds above the predecessors, but the dark environment with generally muted colors remains. No surprise, as it is still the post-apocalyptic Zone, as the decayed and overgrown buildings, roads, and bridges remind us at every corner.
Old and New Enemies
The familiar mutants are back–unfortunately, including the Bloodsucker. Anyone who takes on these super-strong and super-fast nightmare creatures–which can also turn invisible–without an exoskeleton and assault rifle is usually doomed.
Those who played the predecessors will quickly get used to the controls and inventory. GSC Game World had already done much right here and continues to rely on the proven formula with an inventory limited by slots and weight.
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First Playthrough of “Stalker 2” at Gamescom 2023
At this year’s Gamescom in Cologne, it was possible for the first time to test the unfinished game behind the scenes. TECHBOOK also got a glimpse of “Stalker 2.” The demo lasted about 20 minutes, starting fairly early in the game. The time was enough to get a basic overview of the game mechanics, the general look, and some details.
We start as Stalker Skif, as usual, in the first-person perspective. After fending off an attack from a rabid dog, we are immediately confronted with anomalies, which appear as swirling circular spots. We receive help from the mysterious Judge, who also provides us with the first quest markers. So off we go into the world of “Stalker 2”!
Right off the bat–I really enjoy testing unfinished games. You get an impression, but you also feel the development stage in the truest sense of the word. “Stalker 2” is no exception. In the roughly 20-minute demo at Gamescom, you could already get a pretty good, albeit very limited, picture. At first glance, I must say that the Unreal Engine 5 does the title a lot of good. The death zone looks fantastic. So fantastic that I was promptly called back by the developers during the demo because I preferred exploring the area to following the quest markers–apologies again at this point. After that, I stayed on the path, but I accidentally took out the Stalker who was actually friendly to me with the pack of dogs; I thought he was shooting at me, not the dogs…
At the subsequent occupied station, it was the end for me. The firefights were really convincing, my opponents took cover and moved realistically. I would have liked slightly better haptic feedback from the different weapon types. But as mentioned, the game is still in development.
What remains is an overall quite positive impression of a beautiful game world that skillfully plays with light and shadow and offers all sorts of details. GSC still has some polishing to do in some areas. But if they do, a comprehensive shooter awaits that should appeal to both fans of the old games and new players.
Price and Availability of “Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl”
“Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl” is set to be released at the end of 2023 or in the first quarter of 2024. It will be available on Microsoft Game Pass at launch, allowing subscribers to play at no additional cost. The regular price ranges from 59.99 euros for the Standard Edition to 109.99 euros for the Ultimate Edition, which includes additional DLC and the Season Pass. Supported platforms are Xbox and PC, where the game will be available on Steam, GOG, and the Microsoft Store.