S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a survival horror game where you must brave the radioactive wastes and fight for resources. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Review Overview

What is S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl?

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a first-person shooter and survival horror game set within a reimagined Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, called The Zone. This installment features a fully open world of over 60 square kilometers, expanding on the settings of previous titles. Unlike the earlier games, which divided the Zone into distinct regions, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 presents a seamless map that includes both classic locations like Pripyat and new areas such as Duga. The game emphasizes exploration, with players navigating a post-apocalyptic landscape filled with radiation, mutated creatures, and dangerous human factions.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl features:
　⚫︎　Multiple endings
　⚫︎　Atmospheric audiovisuals
　⚫︎　Collectible artifacts and sporadic anomalies
　⚫︎　Survival gameplay
　⚫︎　Stealth mechanics
　⚫︎　Hidden underground systems
　⚫︎　Handcrafted environments

For more gameplay details, read everything we know about S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl's gameplay and story.

Steam		Epic		GoG		Xbox
Price		$59.99

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
So Atmospheric, You Can (Almost) Smell It Be the Stalker You Want to Be Really Makes You Count Bullets Very Rewarding Exploration	The Occasional Walking Simulator Inadequate Onboarding Would Definitely Scare Newcomers

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Overall Score - 94/100

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl nails it with a gripping story, breathtaking visuals, and gameplay that keeps you thinking at every step—because if you don’t, you'll likely just keel over and die. Sure, it turns into a walking simulator now and then, but with audio so good it feels like the mutants are auditioning for your nightmares, who cares? At $59.99, it’s practically a steal.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Story - 9/10

There’s just something about games that allow you the freedom to shape the story however you want. Sure, the narrative does only move forward, but you have a lot of ways to navigate that road. As a bonus, the story itself is quite gripping and has multiple endings, despite not having the most eye-popping start.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Gameplay - 9/10

If you want a game that’s guaranteed to make you think twice before making any moves, this title is definitely perfect for you. It neatly embodies scarcity as a design philosophy, forcing you to consider your options at every turn due to your limited resources. But regardless of what options you choose, whether you want to be a pacifist or a violent thug, the result will always be satisfying to experience. Unfortunately, though, the game does become a kind of walking simulator after exhausting certain areas of resources and quests. It also has a rather uninformative onboarding process.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Visuals - 9/10

In a word, the game is simply “captivating” to look at. It’s the kind of beauty that transcends visual appeal and worms its way into your thoughts. The game is very effective at transporting you into the setting, so much so that you could almost smell the fresh, radioactive air of The Zone. Honestly, the game’s only fault in my opinion is the rather uncanny NPCs which, when interacted with, often stare at either you or the space behind you with glassy-eyed expressions. It’s minor in the grand scheme of things, but since the game is narratively driven, it will certainly linger at the back of your mind.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Audio - 10/10

For some, audio is just a means to improve the quality of your immersion. But for this game, it’s a matter of life and death. Sounds matter, and the game knows it. That’s why it explicitly cuts back any noise in settings that force you to rely on your sense of hearing, such as inside caves. And the quality is amazing, too, with the inhuman sounds of mutants from a distance resonating hauntingly just to inform you of their existence.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Value for Money - 10/10

A massive map with dozens of hidden nooks and crannies to explore, multiple endings requiring different playthroughs of forty-odd hours each, and a self-perpetuating environment that’s influenced by your actions, all for the relatively low cost of $59.99 (standard edition)? That’s a steal if I’ve ever seen one.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Review: Grimly Fascinating, Horrifically Immersive

As someone who hasn’t yet played Shadow of Chornobyl but has heard endless praise, I was hyped to experience S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (STALKER 2). It’s a game over a decade in the making, delayed to oblivion but still holding that glimmer of hope. After all, we gamers™ say, “Take your time, just deliver.”

Fourteen years later, STALKER 2 has finally emerged. It’s polished, brutal, and every bit as terrifyingly engaging as you’d expect.

This is survival horror, and boy, does it emphasize “survival.” You play as Skif, a rookie stalker—a complete nobody in The Zone. Your reason for being here? To scrape by, same as everyone else. Quests, scavenging, and hoping the local mutants won’t rip your face off sum up the daily grind.

Let me stress: you are a nobody here. If you die, The Zone doesn’t care. It moves on. You’ll find no special treatment or shortcuts, just scattered stashes and a harsh reminder that nothing here is free.

Scarcity is STALKER 2’s defining trait. Every bullet, every can of sausage, every half-working gun becomes a lifeline. Shooting your weapon often feels as costly to you as it is to your target. Rare ammo, especially the kind that supercharges your guns, is a precious commodity that you’ll hoard obsessively.

Except bolts. Those are infinite. Yes, bolts—the kind you use to secure shelves. Skif apparently carries a wheelbarrow full of them everywhere he goes. Bolts help you detect anomalies (death traps littering The Zone), but I mostly use them to bean NPCs in the face for laughs.

Not that it ever does anything. But I will find an NPC that’ll get annoyed by my throwing bolts at their faces, mark my words, developers.

Drags You Right Into the Game

Before tackling gameplay, let’s talk about STALKER 2’s audiovisuals. They’re your first impression and constant companion.

Built on Unreal Engine 5, The Zone looks stunningly bleak. Every shadow, storm, and ruin feels alive. The weather is especially worth mentioning. A sunny day can spiral into thunderstorms with lightning scorching the ground and trees thrashing in the wind. The weather isn’t just pretty; it’s actively dangerous.

But it’s the darkness that leaves the most lasting impression. Dimly lit bunkers and abandoned facilities push the engine’s lighting to its limits. In these moments, with silence replacing ambient music and a feeble headlamp cutting through the void, the game nails horror. You’re not just playing as Skif—you are Skif, utterly alone and outmatched.

Gripping Survival Gameplay

Scarcity isn’t a gimmick in STALKER 2; it’s the way of life. Even the stale bread you pried from some unfortunate stalker’s corpse might be the difference between life and death. It’s the same with bullets: they’re not just ammo; they’re currency, bargaining chips, and your only way to “convince” enemies to keel over.

But STALKER 2 doesn’t do handouts. At the start, you’re left with a pistol, a few measly rounds, and an empty wallet that screams, “I’m new here.” Every resource has to be scavenged, from rotting corpses to abandoned ruins, and you’ll rarely find enough to feel secure.

Combat, meanwhile, can get downright harrowing. Your guns can jam if you neglect them, and let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like frantically unjamming a weapon while a mutant pounds you into a nice snack. It’s not the kind of adrenaline rush you get from action movies—it’s the “maybe I should’ve spent a bit more money for my gun” variety.

You also don’t magically become some superhero through leveling up. Nope, Skif is just as squishy 20 hours in as he is at the start. The only thing that changes is your gear—provided you manage to upgrade and maintain it. Attachments like scopes and underbarrel shotguns help, but they don’t make you invincible. You’re always one careless decision away from disaster.

And here’s the kicker: there are no vehicles. The Zone is massive, and you’ll hoof it everywhere. Sure, the atmosphere is incredible, but after the tenth long trek back to a safe zone, you’ll find yourself fantasizing about a beat-up old jeep. A vehicle system, complete with engine noise attracting enemies and anomalies possibly busting your head inside it, would’ve been a perfect fit without having to sacrifice any immersion or too much danger. But alas, it’s just you, your boots, and endless walking.

Then there’s the tutorial, or lack thereof. Nobody tells you that your flashlight exists until you dig into the control settings. I spent way too long stumbling in the dark because apparently, The Zone doesn’t believe in helpful onboarding.

Yet, all these frustrations are what make STALKER 2 shine. Every decision carries weight, and survival is an achievement in itself. It’s the kind of game where each victory feels hard-won—and incredibly satisfying.

We do have the occasional bugs, though. But they're often pretty funny and hasn't broken my game at all.

Lots of Things to Discover

One of the greatest joys (and nightmares) of STALKER 2 is exploring The Zone. Every ruin and forgotten corner hides secrets, like stashes filled with valuable loot or artifacts that grant you unique abilities. It would do you well to keep checking your PDA as much as I have been throwing bolts at NPCs. The catch? The Zone doesn’t give anything for free. Those stashes often sit in places that scream “danger” like tunnels teeming with mutants or ravenous rats that want to eat your eyeballs.

But exploration is addictive and rewarding. You can find pristine gear lying next to decayed bodies or medicine stashed in the unlikeliest places. Of course, every prize comes with a challenge. Mutants, rival stalkers, and even the environment itself seem to conspire against your survival.

The PDA is your best friend here, marking locations and stashes as you progress. Just don’t assume everything is safe. The Zone thrives on cruel surprises, and it’s not big on charity.

A Stalker for All People

One thing STALKER 2 gets undeniably right is player agency. You’re free to tackle situations however you like. Within reason, at least. For example, there’s a paranoid stalker who refuses to let you approach. The game suggests diplomacy, but it also cheekily reminds you that, hey, you could just shoot him and see what happens.

This level of freedom extends to the main story. It branches into multiple paths depending on your choices, from siding with local stalkers to striking deals with factions you’d rather avoid. The coolest part? These aren’t just binary good-versus-evil decisions. Every choice has consequences, and even minor actions can ripple through The Zone.

Of course, if you’re the type who prefers chaos, you can always just go on a rampage. Sure, it’ll make things harder later, but STALKER 2 won’t stop you. The freedom to mess up spectacularly is all yours.

The narrative paths converge at key moments, but until then, you have time to switch allegiances or explore different options. The Zone’s story feels alive, driven not just by scripted events but by your actions—or inaction. It’s a sandbox where your story is as chaotic or calculated as you make it.

Or, y’know, you can just shoot everyone. Again, entirely your choice.

Is S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Worth It?

Definitely

If you’re looking for a casual, stress-free experience, STALKER 2 isn’t for you. This game demands your full attention, testing your resourcefulness and patience at every turn. But for fans of survival horror and those who love a challenge, it’s an absolute must-play.

The Zone is harsh, unforgiving, and endlessly fascinating. You’ll feel frustration, triumph, and terror in equal measure, and that’s what makes it special. So, grab your guns, tighten your boots, and embrace the madness. Oh, and don’t forget about the bolts. Good hunting, stalker.

Steam		Epic		GoG		Xbox
Price		$59.99

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl FAQ

Will STALKER 2 have multiplayer?

STALKER 2 doesn’t have multiplayer right now. However, there have been plans to add it to the game as post-launch content.

Will STALKER 2 have DLCs?

Yes, there are plans for post-launch content such as additional stories.

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Product Information

Title	S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYL
Release Date	November 20, 2024
Developer	GSC Game World
Publisher	GSC Game World
Supported Platforms	PC, Xbox Series X|S
Genre	Action, FPS, Horror
Number of Players	1
ESRB Rating	M
Official Website	STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl Website

Alfonso Majarucon

Writer of things from game, anime and manga reviews to news and webnovels. Hopelessly addicted to story-driven games, especially cross-platform ones. Favorite games include Punishing Gray Raven, Arknights, Limbus Company, Elden Ring, Touhou, Soul Nomad and the Disgaea series (except 3 and 6). Avid..