Credits: GSC Game World

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is now out on PC and Xbox Series X/S. Its development faced many challenges, including the pandemic, relocations, cyberattacks, a fire in the Prague office, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, affecting the developers' homeland.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is now available for purchase on PC through Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, as well as on Xbox Series X/S and the Microsoft Store. It's also available to Game Pass subscribers from day one.

The game is set in a fictional Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, a dangerous place formed by a second nuclear explosion in 2006. This area is filled with mutated creatures, deadly radiation, and mysterious energy. Players step into the shoes of Skif, a lone stalker who enters the Zone due to unforeseen events. As Skif, you'll uncover secrets, explore faction dynamics, and fight to survive. Your choices affect the story's outcome in this non-linear adventure, which includes three hours of scripted cutscenes.

The game uses Unreal Engine 5 and photogrammetry technology, enhanced by the developers' visits to the real Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, to create an authentic atmosphere.

Ievgen Grygorovych, CEO and Game Director, shared, "It feels surreal to say this, but after more than 7 years, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is released. It's been a personal challenge and always meant to be a Ukrainian product, showcasing our culture. Despite all odds, it's here—our biggest game, our story, a love letter to Ukraine."

The game was completed amidst Russia's aggression towards Ukraine. A documentary, "War Game: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2," created with Xbox, offers insights into the development process and is recommended viewing for context before playing.