Unfortunately, without much surprise, the title from Ukrainian studio GSC Game World is the subject of yet another postponement, which we hope will be the last.
Announced at the latest news for the first quarter of 2024, one of the games we are most looking forward to this year is still being desired. GSC Game World announced the bad news and explained the reason in a long message on the official X.com account of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Against bad luck, we are told this time that it is the “ final release date » of the game, expected on PC, Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass.
There is still a lot of radiation left in the Zone
The least that can be said regarding STALKER 2, is that his road to the exit was strewn with pitfalls within the Zone. Announced for the very first time in 2020, the game from Ukrainian studio GSC Game World has experienced incredible development and numerous postponements. Remember that it should have originally been released… in April 2022.
We were impatiently awaiting the latest news during the first quarter of 2024, according to a fairly recent trailer. With no news since, we feared a disappointment, which was confirmed to us in the evening with the trailer in the introduction to the article and a message from the developers on X.com. Now head to the Zone, more beautiful and dangerous than ever, on September 5. This time it is a priori its real release date, barring last minute changes due to radiation.
A post-apocalyptic development
STALKER 2 is a passion project for GSC Game World, which impressed with Shadow of Chornobyl, the first title released in 2007 from this unique license in the FPS genre. Its ruthlessly irradiated playground of the Zone, its demanding combat/survival mechanics and its deliciously depressing atmosphere have clearly irradiated minds.
With this second opus, the Ukrainian studio wanted to go even further, both in terms of gameplay and technique, with numerous videos that truly made our mouths water. However, it seems that it is in this area that the title is proving recalcitrant. “ It still exists in STALKER 2 a certain amount of imperfections that place the game below the expected standards for the final experience our fans expect. Even if another postponement pushes your patience to the limit […]we must make the trip to the Zone as pleasant as possible “.
Aside from technical issues and much of the development being conducted during the coronavirus pandemic (a nuclear apocalypse in itself), remember that GSC Game World was directly impacted by the conflict in Ukraine. Part of the team participated in the war effort, and part moved for a time to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. We wish them the best during these additional months needed to perfect their baby. Our gas mask and our bag of bolts are in any case ready to dive back into the Zone with great pleasure when STALKER 2 will be ready.
Source : STALKER on X.com
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