Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl – Release date, platforms, gameplay, more
GSC Game WorldIt looks like players are finally going to get their hands on the highly-anticipated Stalker 2 in 2024, which is a sequel to the classic Stalker: Call of Pripyat.
The FPS title will take players to the dreary and irradiated Exclusion Zone, a dangerous patch of land that hides vicious creatures at every corner. Here’s the Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl release date, available platforms, and more.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl release date
Stalker 2 will be released on November 20, 2024. The release date was announced through a post shared on the game’s official X account.
Prior to this, the devs announced a September release through an announcement trailer but eventually decided to delay it by another two months to iron out some bugs.
The game has suffered several delays since being announced back in 2020. It was initially slated for release on April 28, 2022, but the date was pushed back indefinitely as the Ukrainian devs faced challenges due to an invasion by Russia.
Despite the turbulence, work on the game continued and it looks set to be released this year.
Stalker 2 platforms
The game will arrive on Xbox Series XIS and PC. It will not be available on PS5 as it will be an Xbox console exclusive at launch.
While there is no official word on a PlayStation release, it’s worth noting that a leaked document suggested that Stalker 2 will be exclusive to Xbox for a period of three months. If true, this means that the devs are free to release on PS5 after the window expires.
Story & setting
Stalker 2 is set in the Exclusion Zone, also known as ‘The Zone,’ which was set up following the second Chornobyl disaster in 2006. The highly irradiated stretch of land is home to mutated creatures and strange anomalies, all of which pose a threat to humans. All remaining structures are dilapidated and have been reclaimed by nature with branching vines creeping into even the tallest of buildings.
Despite all the dangers, humans continue to venture into The Zone in search of lucrative artifacts. These opportunists are known as ‘Stalkers’ and some of them are also part of factions. Players take control of a Stalker named Skif who heads into the zone for unknown reasons as part of the game’s non-linear story.
Gameplay details
GSC Game WorldStalker 2 is an immersive, open-world FPS game at its core. It lets players explore The Zone, engage in shootouts with bandits and rival factions, or take on the mutated wildlife and meteorological anomalies.
The game features a variety of weapons ranging from shotguns to assault rifles and more. Going by the gameplay trailer, these weapons will also come with various attachments like silencers and laser sights.
Like prior titles in the series, it emphasizes survival mechanics such as hunger, inventory management, and weapon degradation. The Zone is a tough place, and these mechanics help instill that.
Stalker 2 pre-order editions & bonuses
Standard edition
The Standard edition comes with the base game and additional content in the form of pre-order bonuses. It costs $59.99/£49.99 across all platforms.
The pre-order bonuses for the Standard edition are:
- Extended Campfire Content
- Exclusive weapon skin
- Exclusive armor skin
- ‘Early bird’ multiplayer badge
- Steam Exclusive content
Deluxe edition
GSC Game WorldThe Deluxe edition comes with pre-order bonuses and a bunch of extra content, including a special quest, weapon skins, and costumes. It costs $79.99/£64.99 across all platforms.
Here is everything included in the Deluxe edition:
- Special Extra Quest
- Digital Artbook
- Official Soundtrack
- 1 Costume, 3 Weapon skins (for single-player)
- 2 Costumes, 3 Weapon skins (for multiplayer expansion)
- Extended Campfire Content
- Exclusive weapon skin
- Exclusive armor skin
- ‘Early bird’ multiplayer badge
- Steam Exclusive content
Ultimate edition
Stalker 2’s Ultimate edition packs a ton of content to match the price. Aside from everything included in the Deluxe edition, the Ultimate edition also provides access to two story expansions along with the Season Pass. It costs $109.99/£94.99 across all platforms.
Here is everything included in the Ultimate edition:
- Season Pass
- 2 story expansions
- Special Extra Quest
- Digital Artbook
- Official Soundtrack
- 1 Costume, 3 Weapon skins (for single-player)
- 3 Costumes, 7 Weapon skins (for multiplayer expansion)
- Extended Campfire Content
- Exclusive weapon skin
- Exclusive armor skin
- ‘Early bird’ multiplayer badge
- Steam Exclusive content
Ultimate Physical edition
The Ultimate Physical edition is best suited for fans of the series and collectors. It offers all of the content mentioned above, alongside goodies including a Stalker Backpack, a Stalker figurine, a keychain with Fire Starter, and more. It costs a whopping $379.99/ £319.99.
Here’s everything you can get with the Ultimate Physical edition:
- Stalker Backpack
- Stalker Figurine
- Artefact Container Lamp
- Keychain (Multi-tool) with Fire Starter
- Zone Map
- Steel Book (Ultimate art)
- Art Book
- Letter From Developers
- Souvenir Zone Permit
- Sticker Pack
- Poster
- Faction Patches
- Military Token
- Ultimate edition + pre-order bonuses
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl trailers
The title has received many trailers, beginning with the announcement trailer at 2020’s Xbox Games Showcase. After this, it received a gameplay trailer in 2021 before a string of trailers that revealed delays to its release date. The most recent trailer for the game provided a look at its combat mechanics.
Stalker 2 Official Trailer #1
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl Gameplay Trailer
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl Official Trailer
Official Gameplay Trailer
Official Strider Trailer
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl – Final Release Date Announcement
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl — The Time of Opportunities Trailer
The immersive FPS isn’t the only major title coming in 2024, so be sure to check out our guides for Black Myth: Wukong, Avowed, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.