News 'S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl' launches on PC and Xbox Series X/S

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After more than 7 years in the making, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is launching today. This marks the end of a challenging development cycle for the Ukraine-based developers, GSC Game World, who experienced relocations amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, cyberattacks and a fire in the Prague office.

"It feels utterly surreal to say that, but after more than 7 years in the making, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is now released. That's totally wild. So was the whole development story." said Ievgen Grygorovych, CEO and Game Director, in a press release. "What started as the most ambitious game by GSC eventually turned out to be an ultimate personal challenge. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was always supposed to be a truly Ukrainian product, showing our culture to the world in the ongoing effort of the nation to be recognized. I truly believe the team we have consists of exceptional people, but I never actually thought they would be finishing the game under the circumstances like these."

Despite all the odds, it's there. Our biggest game, our own story, our love letter to Ukraine. All the time, effort and passion we put into this is about to be witnessed by the players from all around the globe. After 15 years, the doors to the Zone will be opened once again."

Accompanying the launch is a new trailer:

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. takes place in a fictional Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. The nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl Power Plant in 1986 wasn't the only one to occur, as the second explosion hit the reactor in 2006, creating the Zone. It's a dangerous place, filled with mutated creatures, deadly radiation, and a strange, anomalous energy.

Bounty hunters delve deep into the Zone, driven by its treasures and mysteries. Some of them are running from their past, others are blinded by money, and some are obsessed with finding the truth behind all the mysteries.

You will take the role of Skif - a lone stalker, who enters the Zone after a series of unforeseen events. On the way to the Heart of Chornobyl, you will gradually uncover the secrets of this world, explore the balance of power between factions, fight, and survive. In this non-linear story, every choice you make will impact the outcome of this global and epic tale, featuring three hours of scripted cutscenes. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, photogrammetry technology, and the developers' regular visits to the real Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, the authenticity and atmosphere that have always been the hallmark of the series are better than ever.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is now available on PC and Xbox Series X/S. It is also available for Game Pass subscribers.

Keep an eye out for our full review of the game!