If you watched our STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl stream on Wednesday, one of the first things you learned is that we don’t have a review ready for you when the embargo expires today. More factors have come together, but also taking into account the scale of the game, with which the developers from GSC Game World certainly did not skimp, unfortunately it will still take some time. However, despite the fact that I do not want to shoot all the ammunition myself, carefully collected just for the final evaluation, I owe you a short article with impressions after about 20 hours played as a supplement to the stream. If only because games like this don’t come out every day, and it was already clear to me how it would polarize fans and those who had the task of judging its qualities.
Lure Zones
First of all I want to talk about the atmosphere, because it is something that naturally everyone perceives differently, but on the other hand, it is an attribute that makes you willing to forgive games a lot. If you like to be drawn into game worlds and want to be able to fully immerse yourself in the space on the display in front of you, STALKER 2 handles this role well. What it excels at is the very feeling of the Zone, that is, the excluded area around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in which the story of the game and the entire series takes place. It is not a place that would be fatally dangerous under all circumstances, you can walk around for long minutes without being in danger. However, it is enough for the situation to change only slightly and sometimes completely insidiously, and none of the above applies. It is the unpredictability with which things can change for the worse that keeps you in constant suspense, as well as inciting curiosity about what else you can afford.
The second thing, inextricably linked to the atmosphere, but resting even more heavily on the work of the developers, is the design of the entire 64 square kilometers of the large location, which offers one interesting place after another to a very satisfying degree. For me personally, this is the biggest attraction of the whole game, that is, the knowledge that if I go anywhere with enough caution, something is waiting for me there. Honestly, maybe the last time with Cyberpunk 2077, no, with Baldur’s Gate III, I experienced that good old feeling that one thinks about the game even when not playing it and wishes to be back in the world where one might have escaped completely unexpectedly. It’s the bewitching power of something as special as this particular area that – of course, with some compatibility with the mood and processing of the rest of the game – can seriously engage you. Irrespective of the feelings of those who played the previous parts and took precisely these cumbersomely described feelings as their drug. It’s there. It’s there again and you won’t want to stop.
Small stories of small people
The second, very important part of the experience for me, is of course the story and not necessarily just the main one, which revolves around a strange artifact, which several people or entities are interested in for reasons that are gradually revealed. In this respect, STALKER 2 is actually reminiscent of Cyberpunk 2077 and its story about the chip of immortality, only, sorry, the story of the game from GSC is not so good. At least from what I could see, he doesn’t feel natural especially in the passages where you try to push him forward with dialogues. I don’t think anyone would really want a trade-off for information that someone else couldn’t do better, faster, and more securely. Or, in short, something that requires you, as the player and protagonist of Skif, to go somewhere, usually to eliminate someone there, to find or clarify something, and to come back. Unfortunately, this is the point that destroys the atmosphere, and even if some sub-plots, endings or twists are really catchy and sometimes even half-open, the whole is still weaker.
Source: GSC Game World
What I really like, on the other hand, are the side stories of people that you either just meet in the Zone, or that the game itself guides you to in some way. In this respect, STALKER 2 builds on the emotionally powerful role-playing game from roaming freely around the map and gives you a great deal of freedom. People who find themselves in the Zone live their lives, battling everything that this accursed area throws at them, and then usually immerse themselves in alcohol to shut down for a while and absorb it all. They usually need your help in situations that make you shake your head more than once, only to then admit that, yes, this is exactly how things could go wrong in real life. But the joke is that you simply don’t have to help them, and then you immediately face the consequences of your decision. Someone just shrugs their shoulders, someone lashes out at you, but sometimes guns are pulled out of their holsters at such a moment and a shootout begins. But if you cooperate and offer your help, great stories and interesting rewards await you, which can significantly influence your next experience.
Blood and sweat
But then there is the decrepit technical condition, which we already talked about during the stream, and which, in my opinion, will significantly affect the whole experience. Of course, we are talking about the PC version, on which I primarily play the new product from GSC, but the recently revealed hardware requirements scared me a little. And indeed, even the RTX 4070 Ti Super in combination with the Intel I7-12700 KF processor and 32 GB of DDR5 RAM does not allow me to play the game without compromises. In fairness, I admit that the technical state of the game improved with the release of huge updates – which were probably also the reason why the game could not be downloaded on Steam before release – but even now I simply cannot think of playing in 4K. When you compromise on the demands of graphic details, the game begins to demonstrate its shortcomings very clearly, especially during the day, especially in terms of the details of the vegetation or monsters that you will encounter in the Zone. And even with the setting at the aptly named “Epic” level, the game isn’t what it was in the demos from the developers.
Source: GSC Game World
A lot of things are a result of the lighting or the time of day you are currently moving through nature. And I admit that the combination of moonlight and water surface can create a really great spectacle. But the devil is hidden in the details, and they are not groundbreaking. STALKER 2 is a huge game, and that is certainly one of the significant limits of how it looks in the end, and I confirm that the game primarily uses the processor rather than the graphics card, but the result simply doesn’t ask for that. When you add to that very bad animations, mistakes in artificial intelligence, a really huge number of graphical glitches and finally bugs – not only the game, but also the interface – we return to what fell at the beginning. First of all, I want to talk about the atmosphere, because it is something that naturally everyone perceives differently, but on the other hand, it is an attribute that makes you willing to forgive games a lot…
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl – Embrace the Madness!
So, you tuned into our STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl stream, eh? Yeah, we left you hanging without a review just as the *embargo my dear Watson* hit the fan. But don’t worry, like your enthusiastic but awkward relative at a family gathering, I’ve got some nuggets of wisdom to share after 20 hours of diving into this crazy, radioactive soup of a game. If gaming were a rollercoaster, then STALKER 2 would be that one ride that seems fine until it makes an unexpected loop that flips your stomach sideways. So, buckle up, because we’re about to plunge into the bizarre world of Chernobyl.
The Atmosphere: It’s Not Just a Game, It’s a Mood
Right off the bat, let’s talk atmosphere. You see, atmosphere is what makes you overlook that the game is as broken as your childhood dreams of being a pop star. When you enter that eerie zone surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, you feel a tingle down your spine, and it’s not just the radiation. The place isn’t always a death trap; oh no! Sometimes you can stroll through it as casually as you would on a Sunday afternoon in the park. But mind you, it takes all of about a minute for the game to remind you that lurking just out of sight may be a mutant with a vendetta. Expect the unexpected, folks!
When it comes to environment design, it’s like the developers at GSC Game World decided that ‘go big or go home’ was their motto—64 square kilometers of interactive playground! Think of it like going on a treasure hunt where every shiny thing is either a valuable item or a destructive creature wanting to munch on your face. Much like Cyberpunk 2077, this vast expanse encourages you to lose track of time and that,”oh-so-familiar” sense of regret. You find yourself wandering through the Zone, craving the thrill of “What could possibly go wrong?” Well, a lot, my friend. *So grab a snack and settle in; it’s going to be a wild ride!*
The Unraveling Story: Tales of Woe
Now let’s address the narrative, because what’s a game without a story? In this case, we have our protagonist, Skif, on a quest involving a oh-so-special artifact. It’s kind of like a family heirloom, but instead of being passed down from grandma, everyone wants to destroy or hoard it for their reasons. But, spoiler alert—it’s not as compelling as a well-crafted detective novel. The dialogue can feel as forced as a first date gone wrong. You find yourself bartering for information in ways that make you question why you’re not just hiring a cab driver to do the dirty work instead!
Contrast this with the side stories—now those are the real gems! You meet all sorts of quirky characters in this tortured part of the world, drowning their sorrows in vodka and attempting to navigate a life that even the worst sitcom would struggle to comprehend. Helping them offers a rich narrative layer AND interesting rewards; but let me tell you, refuse to help and… well, you’ll understand that “no good deed goes unpunished” is more than just a phrase! The moment that gun gets pulled on you—let me just say, you learn real quick to choose your relationships wisely in the Zone!
The Technical Woes: Blood, Sweat, and Tears
None of this would matter much if you couldn’t get the blasted game to run! I mean, come on! The PC version seems as stable as a three-legged chair on a bumpy road. And when the hardware requirements looked like a wish list for Santa, I began to panic. I mean, even my tricked-out RTX 4070 Ti felt like it was trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat, and let’s just say, the result wasn’t pretty. The visuals go from “Wow!” to “Yikes!” quicker than you can say, “Is that a glitch or a monster?” It’s like they packed so much into this 64 square kilometers that they forgot to debug half the game!
Even the epic setting starts to feel a bit lackluster under scrutiny; sure, there are pretty moonlit moments, but the details can be about as inspired as an entry in a kindergarten drawing competition. Bad animations, flaws in AI, and graphical glitches? My friends, welcome back to the reality of game development! If only half the effort was put into the game engine as the beautiful design… we’d have something to brag about!
Final Thoughts: A Beautiful Mess
In closing, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl serves up thrills, chills, and more than its fair share of disappointments. Its atmosphere can carry it like an Olympic gymnastic champion, but the narrative and technical hiccups may leave you questioning your investment—financially and emotionally! Still, if you can overlook some of those bumps on the radioactive road, you may just find a dose of madness that keeps you coming back for more. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a good place to hide before my character turns into a tasty snack.
Until next time, remember: life is short… especially in the Zone. So go forth and be glorious—or at least mildly interesting!
If you tuned into our STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl stream on Wednesday, you quickly realized that, regretfully, we do not have a review prepared for you as the embargo lifts today. A myriad of factors have converged, and when considering the expansive scale of the game—one where GSC Game World has clearly invested great effort—it’s evident that a more extended period is necessary for a thorough evaluation. Nevertheless, while I hesitate to exhaust all my carefully curated insights for a comprehensive critique, I must share my impressions after approximately 20 hours of gameplay, complementing our earlier stream coverage. This is crucial, especially since titles of this magnitude are rare, and it’s already apparent that the game is poised to deeply intrigue its fans as well as those tasked with assessing its worth.
Lure Zones
First and foremost, I want to delve into the atmosphere, which is a subjective experience yet a significant element that can lead players to overlook many flaws in a game. For those who relish being fully enveloped in a game’s universe, STALKER 2 excels in this regard, masterfully crafting the essence of the Zone—an exclusion zone surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant where the game’s narrative unfolds. This locale isn’t perpetually perilous; you can traverse its haunting beauty for extended moments without facing immediate danger. However, a slight shift in circumstances can transform tranquility into chaos in an instant. It’s this ever-present unpredictability that keeps you on the edge of your seat, instilling a sense of curiosity about what surprises the Zone may hold next.
The thoughtful design of the sprawling 64 square kilometers is another area where the developers have shone brightly, creating a wealth of intriguing locations that encourage exploration to an immensely satisfying degree. Personally, this aspect constitutes the greatest allure of the game—the knowledge that, with cautious navigation, a new discovery awaits around every corner. Reminiscent of my experiences with games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate III, I find myself thinking of STALKER 2 even when not playing, longing to revisit the unique world that might yield unexpected adventures. This captivating power of the Zone, coupled with the game’s overall atmosphere, will undoubtedly engage players, especially those who have cherished previous iterations of the series and are eager for that unique thrill once more.
Small stories of small people
Another vital component of the STALKER 2 experience is its storytelling—not exclusively the central plot which revolves around a mysterious artifact sought by various factions, but also the smaller narratives woven throughout. In this respect, the game brings to mind Cyberpunk 2077, with its intrigue surrounding immortality; however, GSC’s narrative does not quite reach the same heights. From what I’ve encountered thus far, the dialogue-driven sections often feel forced and lacking in believability. Players may find themselves in situations where they are pressed to seek information through challenges that feel contrived and less engaging. Unfortunately, these narrative beats can undermine the otherwise immersive atmosphere of the game. Even though certain subplots and twists are engaging and occasionally thought-provoking, the overall narrative arc feels weaker.
Yet, what truly resonates are the side stories of the characters you meet throughout the Zone. STALKER 2 excels at presenting emotionally charged interactions during your travels, granting you the freedom to engage with the world on your own terms. The inhabitants of the Zone are richly portrayed, each grappling with the harsh realities of their environment, often turning to alcohol as a respite from their troubles. They typically require your assistance in scenarios that can make you ponder the fragility of life, only to realize that the consequences of your choices are genuinely impactful. You are not obligated to lend a hand; doing so might result in varied reactions, from indifference to hostility, sometimes even initiating gunfire. Conversely, by choosing to assist, you unlock intriguing narratives and valuable rewards that can considerably enhance your overall gameplay experience.
Blood and sweat
However, the game is marred by significant technical issues, which we discussed during the stream, affecting the overall enjoyment. While I primarily play the PC version, the recently unveiled hardware requirements left me apprehensive. Even with a robust rig—featuring an RTX 4070 Ti Super paired with an Intel I7-12700 KF processor and a substantial 32 GB of DDR5 RAM—the game demands compromises that are hard to accept. Admittedly, patches have made improvements, likely a factor that delayed the game’s availability on Steam pre-launch, but as it stands, 4K gameplay remains untenable. Lowering graphical demands exposes notable shortcomings, particularly visible during the day, revealing quite a few issues with vegetation detail and monster appearances scattered throughout the Zone.
Many visual aspects hinge on the interplay of lighting and the time of day, and indeed, the serene combination of moonlight reflecting off water can create stunning visuals. However, the devil resides in the details, which ultimately do not meet expectations. STALKER 2 is undeniably vast, and this tremendous scale contributes to its visual discrepancies; the game appears to rely more on processor capabilities than on the graphics card, but the outcomes fall short of what I had hoped. The poor animations, flawed artificial intelligence, an abundance of graphical glitches, and persistent bugs—affecting not just gameplay but the interface as well—return us to our starting point. Yet, above all, I want to emphasize the atmosphere, an aspect that each player perceives differently but is undeniably a factor that invites us to forgive many shortcomings within a game…
How do the decision-making mechanics in STALKER 2 contribute to the overall player experience and emotional depth of the game?
Tribute to your overall experience. It’s this dynamic interplay between decision-making and consequence that truly separates STALKER 2 from other titles in the genre, creating a living, breathing world filled with character and emotional depth.
Technical Challenges: The Unseen Burdens
But let’s not sugarcoat it—the technical performance of STALKER 2 has been a rollercoaster in its own right. Even with all the engaging content and beautifully crafted world, the janky mechanics and stability issues have made this ride less enjoyable than it should be. Expect crashes, frame rate drops, and other nuisances that can pluck you right out of the immersive experience the developers worked hard to build. The ambition is palpable; you can see it in the sprawling landscapes and intricate details—but ambition without execution often leads to frustration.
Players on various rigs have reported differing experiences, with some lucky enough to have a smooth ride while others struggle more than they’d like to in a game of this caliber. The developers at GSC Game World clearly poured their hearts into creating a visually striking experience, but a smooth gaming experience is equally important. The performance woes can detract from what could have been a stellar showcase of innovation and storytelling.
Conclusion: Bold Ambitions, Promising Future
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a captivating yet flawed experience. The atmosphere and small stories of the Zone reflect the developers’ ambition to create a rich, immersive world that beckons players to explore its darkest corners and uncover its secrets. However, technical issues and narrative inconsistencies could hinder the overall enjoyment for many players, leaving them grappling with the disparity between potential and reality.
Despite its shortcomings, there’s undeniable magic in STALKER 2. If you can navigate its pitfalls and embrace the bizarre yet beautiful chaos it presents, you may find that you’re on a journey filled with wonder, tension, and emotional weight. So, for those willing to strap in and ride the wave of unpredictability that is Chernobyl, your adventure is just beginning. Embrace the madness, choose your path wisely, and remember—every decision could have grave consequences, but that’s the thrill of the Zone.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some mutants to dodge and decisions to ponder. Until next time, stay safe, stay curious, and may your paths be filled with intrigue!