What you need to know
STALKER 2 debuted on November 20, 2024, but its entrance hasn’t been without hiccups. This first-person open-world shooter is certainly among the year’s most ambitious releases, yet its intricate design has left some parts a bit rough around the edges. Fortunately, the developers over at GSC Game World are on top of it, with the first patch slated for release next week.
Since it went live, STALKER 2 has been challenging players with its eerie encounters in the Zone. Set in an alternate universe, the game revisits the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, imagining a world where subsequent catastrophes turned the area into a land of bizarre anomalies. Radiation-infused creatures, mutated beasts, and anomalies that defy gravity make the Chornobyl exclusion zone one of the planet’s most treacherous landscapes. Nevertheless, the allure of new energy types and artifacts has sparked a thriving black market, enticing mercenaries and outlaws to brave the military barricades for the promise of fortune. Yet many of these adventurers meet their end, as the Zone promises nothing short of a relentless struggle for survival.
The STALKER series has long held a special spot in the hearts of its fans, boasting millions of sales across its history. The latest sequel is no slouch either, having already moved over a million boxed copies, with many more exploring the game via Xbox and PC Game Pass, as reported by the developers.
While there’s plenty to applaud, STALKER 2 still feels a bit unrefined, marred by bugs and balance issues that have impacted its standing on Metacritic. Thankfully, these issues are being addressed post-haste.
GSC Game World announced on Steam that the initial STALKER 2 patch is rolling out next week. This update will tackle a range of problems, though a resolution for the notorious deadzone issue affecting Xbox players isn’t included just yet.
Apologies, by the way, for an earlier oversight—I mentioned the deadzone fix would be in this patch, but it looks like I misread things in a sleepless blur. Hang tight!
Here’s what’s on the docket for the first patch:
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set to receive its first patch very soon, targeting both PC and Xbox platforms. It’s truly exciting to say the game is finally out, and we’ve been diligently collecting feedback from all corners. To the million-plus adventurers in the Zone, you rock. Seriously, your dedication means everything to us. While we know you’ve got your hands full with in-game challenges, rest assured, we’re working hard here too.
Patch Highlights:
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Crash Fixes: Addressing issues that led to unexpected game exits related to rendering and quest cutscenes.
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Main Quest Progression Fixes: Resolving obstacles that hinder quest advancement, such as NPCs stuck in objects or incorrect quest markers.
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Gameplay & Balance Adjustments: Adjusting weapon pricing with upgrades and fine-tuning NPC behaviors, especially during Emissions.
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Cutscenes & Visual Fixes: Correcting missing facial animations and other visual errors like NPC displacements and clipping issues.
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Softlock Fixes: Sorting out problems with the trade screen’s functionality in gamepad mode.
- User Interface Improvements: Ensuring quest notifications appear correctly and fixing text errors.
As we strive to enhance your STALKER 2 experience, we remain committed to your feedback and appreciate your invaluable suggestions.
Stalking in the right direction
STALKER 2 is a standout title for 2024, even with its minor flaws, in my opinion. Its development backdrop couldn’t have been more challenging, yet it launched in a shape that speaks volumes about GSC’s dedication despite the chaos of a geopolitically strained environment.
This upcoming update will unfortunately skip out on sorting the deadzone issue affecting gamepad and Xbox controller users—expect a fix “in the coming weeks.” Current settings leave deadzones at zero, so any controller with even minor stick drift will cause unintended movements. If you’ve got a Razer Wolverine V3 Pro or GameSir G7, or if you’re using a mouse and keyboard, well, you’ll dodge this particular headache.
RELATED: 5 essentials all newbie stalkers should know for STALKER 2
A hot topic surrounding STALKER 2 is its "A-Life" system, designed to inject spontaneity into in-game events and character behavior. Right now, it’s a tad erratic—spawning foes unpredictably in some scenarios. Thankfully, GSC seems attuned to this feedback, though here’s hoping they realize we could use a bit of help with those Bloodsuckers—less health or more rewarding loot would be a dream!
But hey, the imminent patch is tackling crashes and performance tweaks, crucial steps for the game’s ongoing success. With plenty of gameplay lifespan anticipated, STALKER 2 looks poised to maintain player interest for quite some time. Catch you in the Zone soon!
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