Credits: GSC Game World

We've written a few posts about S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and its ever-changing release dates. The correct release date can always be found in our selection of confirmed game releases for 2024. The date that all platforms are now consistently mentioning is November 20th.

So, the question about the launch is settled. But a few weeks before the release, the question arises: what are the specifications for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl? Will my device be able to handle them? Xbox Series X owners don’t need to worry, but what about those playing on a laptop? What will be good for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl?

The first part of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game series is "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl*." It's a survival-horror first-person shooter developed by GSC Game World and published by THQ. The game is set in an alternate reality where a second nuclear disaster occurs at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 2006, leading to strange changes in the surrounding area known as "The Zone."

Players assume the role of an amnesiac "Stalker," an illegal explorer and artifact scavenger, navigating through this hazardous environment. The game features a non-linear storyline, trading, and interaction with NPCs, blending elements of role-playing games and business simulators. The plot revolves around exploring "The Zone," dealing with anomalies, mutants, and other stalkers while uncovering the mysteries of the Chornobyl disaster's aftermath.

The second game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series is "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky," a prequel to "Shadow of Chernobyl." Released in 2008, it is set in the Zone of Alienation in Chornobyl, Ukraine, in 2011, five years after the second Chornobyl disaster. Players control a mercenary named Scar, who is employed by the Clear Sky faction to stop a group of stalkers attempting to reach the center of the Zone.

"Clear Sky" introduces new gameplay features, including a Faction Wars system where players can participate in conflicts between different factions. The game also includes a repairing and upgrading system for weapons and armor. The plot revolves around Scar's mission to prevent the stalkers from reaching the center of the Zone, which is causing dangerous emissions that threaten the stability of the Zone and Scar's life.

The third installment in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series is "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat," which serves as a sequel to "Shadow of Chernobyl." Released in 2009, the game continues the series' blend of first-person shooter and survival horror elements. It features an updated graphics engine with DirectX 11 support.

The plot follows Major Alexander Degtyarev, an SBU agent sent to investigate the failure of a military operation, Operation Fairway, which aimed to take control of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Disguised as a stalker, Degtyarev explores new territories, including Zaton and Jupiter, to uncover the reasons behind the operation's failure. The game introduces new gameplay features, such as improved HUD, side quest systems, and a free-play mode after completing the main storyline. The faction wars system from "Clear Sky" was removed to streamline gameplay.

The upcoming game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl was first announced in 2010 but faced many delays and was even canceled in 2012 due to financial issues and internal conflicts. Development picked back up in 2018 using Unreal Engine 5.

Originally scheduled for release in December 2022, the game was delayed because the Russian invasion of Ukraine affected the development team based in Kyiv. Despite these setbacks, the team moved to Prague, Czech Republic, to continue their work.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will launch on Windows and Xbox Series X/S, with a period of exclusivity for Microsoft platforms. Before that, GSC Game World is also releasing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy on Nintendo Switch, exactly on Halloween - October 31. The original trilogy features horror and RPG elements set in the haunting, post-apocalyptic world of Chornobyl. It includes titles like Shadow of Chornobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat.

Developers outline the requirements for playing in Full HD on minimum settings:

• Windows: 10 64-bit.
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 1600X / Intel Core i5-7600K.
• RAM: 8 GB.
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB.
• Disk Space: 150 GB.

For comfy gameplay in Full HD:

• Windows: 10/11 64 Bit.
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X / Intel Core i7-9700K.
• RAM: 16 GB.
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 8GB / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8GB / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB.
• Disk Space: 150 GB.

The developers didn't specify the system requirements for 2K and 4K gaming, but I expect this will be updated after the game's release. I believe there will be several performance modes available sometime after the launch. Most modern gaming laptops already exceed many recommended specifications, so those with older portable gaming devices should consider upgrading to these models.

It's smart to follow the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 recommendations and select a laptop with better specs to ensure compatibility with AAA games for the next few years. I also recommend reviewing TheGeekyThings guide for insights on important factors to consider when selecting your gaming laptop.

* The use of "Chernobyl" and "Chornobyl" in the first and last games in the series reflects the transition to the use of the Ukrainian spelling and pronunciation of the name, rather than the Russian version. This change aligns with a broader movement towards the use of Ukrainian names and terms globally. The developers of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, being a Ukrainian company, chose to adopt Ukrainian orthography to reflect this cultural and linguistic preference.