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{{Redirect|S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2|the second game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series|S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky}}

{{Infobox video game
| title = S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
| image = STALKER 2 cover art.jpg
| developer = [[GSC Game World]]
| publisher = GSC Game World
| director = {{Unbulleted list|Ievgen Grygorovych|Mariia Grygorovych}}
| producer = Slava Lukyanenka
| designer = Yurii Sydorenko
| artist = {{Unbulleted list|Robert Koskor|Tymur Suleiman}}
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|Yaroslav Kravchenko|Ivan Ponomarev}}
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|Yaroslav Odrin|Andrew Luchanko|Kyrylo Borisov}}
| engine = [[Unreal Engine 5]]
| series = ''[[S.T.A.L.K.E.R.]]''
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]|[[PlayStation 5]]}}
| released = {{ubl|'''Windows''', '''Xbox Series X/S'''|20 November 2024|'''PlayStation 5'''|20 November 2025}}
| genre = [[First-person shooter]], [[survival horror]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| alt = The top half of a figure wearing a hazmat suit who is looking at the camera, while standing above the game's logo and in front of imagery that forms the symbol for radiation.
}}

'''''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl''''' ({{langx|uk|S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Серце Чорнобиля|S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Sertse Chornobylia}}) is a 2024 [[first-person shooter]], [[survival horror]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[GSC Game World]]. It is the fourth main game released in the ''[[S.T.A.L.K.E.R.]]'' video game series, as well as the first ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' game in 15 years since the release of ''[[S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat|Call of Pripyat]]'' in 2009.

Initially announced following the release of ''Call of Pripyat'', ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' was planned to release in 2012, before it was ultimately cancelled on the year of its intended release. The game resurfaced years later in 2018, with the development restarted and powered by [[Unreal Engine 5]]. It was scheduled to release for [[Windows]] and [[Xbox Series X/S]] on 8 December 2022, but due to the [[Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|Russian invasion of Ukraine]], development for the game was put on hold.

Following multiple delays, ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl'' was released on 20 November 2024. One million copies were sold within two days of its release, with the game receiving mixed reviews. A [[PlayStation 5]] version of the game was released on 20 November 2025.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Stalker2ScreenshotAnomaly.webp|thumb|Screenshot of the game, showing the player encountering an anomaly]]
''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl'' is a first-person shooter with survival horror elements. It takes place in the post-apocalyptic [[Chernobyl exclusion zone]] around the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]]. The game world is divided into several territories, some of which are initially inaccessible.

The player survives in the Zone by monitoring numerous indicators such as hunger and sleep, ignoring which will lead to exhaustion and death.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl Review - In The Zone |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-in-the-zone/1900-6418320/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> They can collect and store various items in their inventory, but there is a limit to the weight carried. The items include medicines, food, weapons, ammo, and armor. At the same time, armor and weapons gradually wear out.<ref name=":0" /> The player also has a PDA in which they can view the Zone's map and place marks, track and switch between tasks, and read found notes.

In the Zone there are anomalies&nbsp;– dangerous formations that injure or kill on contact. The player can "probe" their boundaries by throwing bolts in the anomalies, by using special detectors "artifacts" are able to be found &nbsp;– valuable items that can be worn by the player, which can emit both useful and harmful effects.<ref name=":0" />

In stalker camps the player can find traders, technicians and medics, who can provide services. Also present are areas to rest, and crates that allow the player to store items.

== Plot ==
Yevhen "Skif" Martynenko, a veteran of the [[Ukrainian Marine Corps]], has returned from a 3-year deployment in an unspecified conflict. He awakens to find his apartment has been destroyed by an anomaly that has mysteriously appeared outside of the Zone, leaving an unknown artifact in its wake. Looking to earn money for a new home, he is smuggled into the Zone by a scientist, Professor Hermann, along with a piece of technology called the 'Scanner' that creates local anomalies and can apparently "recharge" depleted artifacts. Venturing into the Zone, he finds his initial team he was to make contact with have been killed and sets out alone to use the Scanner in special coordinates where it works. On the third and successful attempt, he is interrupted by an investigation from soldiers of the faction called 'Ward', dedicated to controlling the Zone and stopping its expansion. The soldiers themselves are killed by an unknown third party, who steal Skif's belongings and knock him unconscious.

Skif awakens and sets out to recover the Scanner and artifact, aided by a friendly loner named Richter. He finds himself on the trail of Solder, who sold him and the scientists the coordinates of where to place the Scanner, collaborating with either the local Stalkers or the Ward in the process. Following the trail, he is led to Scar, the protagonist of ''[[S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky]]'', who leads an anarchistic faction called Spark that opposes the Ward and believes the Zone can be transformed into a utopian 'Shining Zone', as well as the Noontide faction, consisting of the formerly-brainwashed soldiers of the Monolith from previous games, who seek to make their own lives, having no memory of their pre-zone life or enslavement to the Monolith. They are divided between Strider, who aims to make the Zone a safer place, and Faust, who still preaches the original mindset of the Monolith.

Skif is led to SIRCAA, a scientific base and benefactors of the Ward, who are now in control of the Wishgranter, or Monolith itself, a powerful psychic hologram generator that brainwashed the Monolith soldiers, which SIRCAA aims to use to reshape the Zone in their image. Regardless of whether Skif collaborates with or conspires against SIRCAA, the Wishgranter is ultimately reactivated and all members of Noontide return to their brainwashed state.

Skif manages to reclaim his original Scanner, in the process meeting Doc, a member of Strelok's crew from the original Shadow of Chernobyl, who confesses to being a member of the scientists that formed the C-Consciousness and the Zone itself, having backed out of entering the pod to join the hivemind years ago. Strelok himself has become a conservative fanatic of the Zone, believing it needs to be protected and preserved from the rest of the world.

Skif goes to war against the reformed Monolith, confronting Faust amongst the [[Duga radar]]. Faust displays powerful psychic abilities (similar to the Controller mutant), and seemingly shows Skif the world in 'subtle matter', a pure psychic form through which dead human beings still live as consciousness. Faust apparently accepts defeat and dies.

Skif is led towards the heart of the Zone and the final remaining pod of the C-Consciousness, which will allow the Zone to be reshaped once more in the image of the one who enters it. Depending on his choices of allegiance, there are four endings.

*If Skif sides with the Ward, the loyal Colonel Korshunov enters the pod, and the Zone ceases expansion with SIRCAA gaining control of its energy and potential. Skif rejects their offer of a high-ranking military position and simply takes a replacement home, apathetic to the motivations and power of SIRCAA. This is the only ending where Skif leaves the Zone.
*Siding with Spark, the eccentric Scar enters the pod and Skif finds himself among grass and flowers in sunlight, sitting at a fire and reuniting with friends alive and dead, sharing in the joy at finding the utopian Shining Zone, but it is revealed that this is yet another psychic illusion, and the Stalkers have simply become catatonic and entranced in an unchanged Zone in reality, ignored by the mutants passing by.
*Siding with Strelok, he enters the pod and takes control of the Monolith, ordering them to stand down and letting Skif leave the area peacefully. The Zone's expansion seems to stop, but a barrier has been created, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the Zone, damning Skif and all other Stalkers to isolation and potential death.
*If Skif follows the advice of Doc, Skif enters the pod on his own, apparently free of corrupt motives. The Zone is 'set free', and anomalies spread across the entirety of the planet, the Zone now encompassing Earth. Doc himself appears to transform into Faust, who walks away into the Zone, having accomplished his mission.

== Development ==
{{Cleanup|section|reason=Most of the citations are using social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube) post over news from GameSpot, Polygon, PCGamesN, among others|date=December 2024}}

=== Early development ===
''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' was initially announced in 2010, with a release date set in 2012, by Sergiy Grygorovych, CEO of [[GSC Game World]], stating "After the official sales of the series exceeded 4 million copies worldwide, we had no doubts left to start creating a new big game in the ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' universe. This will be the next chapter of the mega-popular game players expect from us." The development of the game was ambitious; it was stated that the game would feature an all-new multiplatform engine, made from scratch to fit ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2''.

Numerous layoffs and overall attrition during the development of the game had shrunk GSC's employee count by 75%. Two years in, Grygorovych had announced the immediate cessation of all development due to "personal reasons", likely as a result of financial difficulty.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2011 |title=Киевская компания, создавшая игры S.T.A.L.K.E.R. и 'Казаки', решила самоликвидироваться |trans-title=The Kyiv company that created the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and 'Cossacks', decided to self-destruct |url=https://ukranews.com/news/121316-kyevskaya-kompanyya-sozdavshaya-ygry-stalker-y-kazaky-reshyla-samolykvydyrovatsya |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205905/https://ukranews.com/news/121316-kyevskaya-kompanyya-sozdavshaya-ygry-stalker-y-kazaky-reshyla-samolykvydyrovatsya |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |publisher=[[Ukrainian News Agency]] |language=ru}}</ref> GSC Game World was officially dissolved on December 9, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=September 8, 2013 |title=Stalker fallout: Polygon traces the exodus from Kiev's legendary GSC Game World |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/8/4568598/stalker-fallout-gsc-game-world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328115749/https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/8/4568598/stalker-fallout-gsc-game-world |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en}}</ref> The official [[Twitter]] account posted, "We will do our best to continue. However, at this moment, nothing is certain."<ref>{{Cite web|title=We will do our best to continue. However, at this moment, nothing is certain|url=https://twitter.com/survariumvg/status/146255840310071296|url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2021|website=[[Twitter]]|language=en|archive-date=September 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904154130/https://twitter.com/survariumvg/status/146255840310071296}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=July 2023}} After several months of uncertainty,<ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=December 12, 2011 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 studio facing uncertain future |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/stalker-2-studio-facing-uncertain-future-6347437 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108060947/http://www.gamespot.com/news/stalker-2-studio-facing-uncertain-future-6347437 |archive-date=January 8, 2012 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=April 25, 2012 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 canceled |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-canceled/1100-6373393/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410124705/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-canceled/1100-6373393/ |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=}}</ref> an update was posted that the development would continue after the holidays, although it would require funding.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=January 13, 2012 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 presses on, but studio needs cash - Report |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-presses-on-but-studio-needs-cash-report/1100-6348608/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203919/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-presses-on-but-studio-needs-cash-report/1100-6348608/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref> However, the cancellation of this build of ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' had been formally announced in April 2012 on the company's [[Facebook]] page,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=April 25, 2012 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 canceled |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-canceled/1100-6373393/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410124705/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-canceled/1100-6373393/ |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref> officially stated to have resulted from dispute between investors, staff, and the original IP rights owner.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The reason we cannot continue...|url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fofficialstalker%2Fposts%2F436937749665479|url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2021|website=Facebook|language=en|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211859/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fofficialstalker%2Fposts%2F436937749665479}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=July 2023}}

=== Revival ===
After years of dormancy, GSC Game World was officially reformed in December 2014 to develop ''[[Cossacks 3]]''. Four years later, on said game's Facebook page, development of a new ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' was announced, linking to ''www.stalker2.com'', the game's website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/cossacks3/posts/2053522958254369|title=Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=June 23, 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031527/https://www.facebook.com/cossacks3/posts/2053522958254369|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=July 2023}} It was later revealed that the game would be developed using [[Unreal Engine 4]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=May 15, 2018 |title=STALKER 2 announced, scheduled for 2021 release |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/15/17358508/stalker-2-announced-gsc-game-world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516035349/https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/15/17358508/stalker-2-announced-gsc-game-world |archive-date=May 16, 2018 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en}}</ref> This build of ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' was announced exceptionally early into development, with it still being in the "design doc phase".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=May 29, 2018 |title=STALKER 2 was only announced so the devs could find a publisher |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/stalker-2/stalker-2-publisher |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205609/https://www.pcgamesn.com/stalker-2/stalker-2-publisher |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Grygorovych later stated on a podcast that the intent of the project's announcement in 2018 was largely to generate hype, in order to strike a publishing deal at [[E3 2018]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Как Делают Игры 222. Отвечаем на вопросы|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw-kzRGRgGw|url-status=live|website=YouTube| date=May 28, 2018 |access-date=June 24, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624220406/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw-kzRGRgGw}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=July 2023}}

Little information was given regarding the project until [[E3 2021]], where a full gameplay trailer was shown at the [[Microsoft|Microsoft/Bethesda]] press conference. The release date was rescheduled to April 28, 2022.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl Launches In April 2022, On Xbox Games Pass At Launch|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chernobyl-launches-in-april-2022-on-xbox-games-pass-at-launch/1100-6492799/|website=[[GameSpot]]|first=Alessadro|last=Barbosa|date=June 13, 2021|access-date=June 24, 2021|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623191327/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chernobyl-launches-in-april-2022-on-xbox-games-pass-at-launch/1100-6492799/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2021, the developers revealed that the game was updated to Unreal Engine 5.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Birch |first=Nathan |date=August 11, 2021 |title=STALKER 2 is Running on Unreal Engine 5 Confirms GSC Game World |url=https://wccftech.com/stalker-2-unreal-engine-5/ |access-date=August 12, 2021 |website=WCCFTech |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812000849/https://wccftech.com/stalker-2-unreal-engine-5/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Russian invasion of Ukraine ===
{{see also|Economic impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

Near the outbreak of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], GSC, based in [[Kyiv]], released a video on their [[YouTube]] account which called for financial aid for the [[Ukrainian Armed Forces]],<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RUvCVNeOH0 |title=Lights! Camera! War... |date=22 March 2022 |publisher=GSC Game World |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313132109/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RUvCVNeOH0 |archive-date=March 13, 2022 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> stating that the outbreak of the war and the need to protect GSC employees has led to the game's development being paused indefinitely.<ref name="rps">{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Alice |date=January 12, 2022 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 delayed into December to try to 'live up to the expectations' |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stalker-2-delayed-into-december-to-try-to-live-up-to-the-expectations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304235116/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stalker-2-delayed-into-december-to-try-to-live-up-to-the-expectations |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]}}</ref> This was also followed by a Twitter post which linked to an account to donate to the Ukrainian military and stated "through pain, death, war, fear, and inhuman cruelty, Ukraine will persevere. As it always does".<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1496846354655547392 |user=GSC_GW |title=(image) |author=GSC Game World |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303235219/https://twitter.com/GSC_GW/status/1496846354655547392 |archive-date=March 3, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Rich |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Stalker studio asks for donations to Ukrainian army, laments 'inhuman cruelty' of Russian invasion |website=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher= |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/stalker-studio-asks-for-donations-to-ukrainian-army-laments-inhuman-cruelty-of-russian-invasion/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314224738/https://www.pcgamer.com/stalker-studio-asks-for-donations-to-ukrainian-army-laments-inhuman-cruelty-of-russian-invasion/ |archive-date=March 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Carpenter |first1=Nicole |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Ukrainian developers ask for support amid Russian invasion |url=https://www.polygon.com/22948976/stalker-developer-gsc-game-world-ukraine-russia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314224726/https://www.polygon.com/22948976/stalker-developer-gsc-game-world-ukraine-russia |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |access-date=14 March 2022 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> On March 14, 2022, the game's subtitle was changed to "''Heart of Chornobyl''", reflecting the native Ukrainian romanisation rather than the Russian form.<ref name="PC_Gamer_S2Title_Update">{{cite news |last1=Santon |first1=Rick |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Stalker 2 renamed Heart of Chornobyl to reflect Ukrainian spelling |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/stalker-2-renamed-heart-of-chornobyl-to-reflect-ukrainian-spelling/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315012405/https://www.pcgamer.com/stalker-2-renamed-heart-of-chornobyl-to-reflect-ukrainian-spelling/ |archive-date=March 15, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Gamesradar_S2Title_Update">{{cite news |last1=Cryer |first1=Hirun |date=14 March 2022 |title=Stalker 2 appears to change its name to the Ukrainian spelling of Chornobyl |language=en |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/stalker-2-appears-to-change-its-name-to-the-ukrainian-spelling-of-chornobyl/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314212703/https://www.gamesradar.com/stalker-2-appears-to-change-its-name-to-the-ukrainian-spelling-of-chornobyl/ |archive-date=March 14, 2022}}</ref> On June 14, 2022, GSC stated in a development diary that the development continues despite some of the team fleeing their homes or joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 15, 2022 |title=Новий трейлер S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 та 'щоденник розробників' |language = uk |trans-title=The new trailer for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and 'developers diary' |url=https://mezha.media/2022/06/15/novyy-treyler-stalker-2/ |website=Mezha.Media |access-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618054848/https://mezha.media/2022/06/15/novyy-treyler-stalker-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 
Russian [[dubbing]] in the game was also removed during development, leaving only English and Ukrainian.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 14, 2022 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 не матиме російського озвучування: дубляж буде українською і англійською мовами |language = uk |trans-title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will not have a Russian voiceover: dubbing will be in Ukrainian and English |url=https://gamedev.dou.ua/news/stalker2-no-russian-voice-acting/ |website=Mezha.Media |access-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614085133/https://gamedev.dou.ua/news/stalker2-no-russian-voice-acting/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2023, GSC said they had been enduring constant [[cyberattack]]s for more than a year and anticipated that there could be leaks in the future.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Litchfield |first1=Ted |title=STALKER 2 developer suffers Russia-linked security breach: 'We have been enduring constant cyberattacks for more than a year now' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/stalker-2-developer-suffers-russia-linked-security-breach-we-have-been-enduring-constant-cyberattacks-for-more-than-a-year-now/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=2 June 2023 |date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602142734/https://www.pcgamer.com/stalker-2-developer-suffers-russia-linked-security-breach-we-have-been-enduring-constant-cyberattacks-for-more-than-a-year-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2023, GSC announced that hackers had leaked an internal test build to the public.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=GSC Game World says Russian hackers are leaking Stalker 2 test builds, please don't look at them |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gsc-game-world-says-russian-hackers-are-leaking-stalker-2-test-builds-please-dont-look-at-them/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=2 June 2023 |date=1 June 2023 |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602142732/https://www.pcgamer.com/gsc-game-world-says-russian-hackers-are-leaking-stalker-2-test-builds-please-dont-look-at-them/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2022, the development team stated on their official [[Discord]] server that the development process continued, and the game was scheduled to release in early 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2022 |title=Produkcja STALKER-a 2 została wznowiona |trans-title=The production of STALKER 2 has been resumed |url=https://www.gry-online.pl/newsroom/stalker-2-produkcja-wznowiona/zd21ed1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520192658/https://www.gry-online.pl/newsroom/stalker-2-produkcja-wznowiona/zd21ed1 |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |access-date=May 22, 2022 |publisher=gry-online |language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Scullion |first1=Chris |date=June 12, 2022 |title=Stalker 2 has been delayed to 2023, Xbox indicates |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/stalker-2-has-been-delayed-to-2023-xbox-indicates/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004095244/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/stalker-2-has-been-delayed-to-2023-xbox-indicates/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl Delayed To 2024|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-delayed-to-2024/1100-6517156/|website=[[GameSpot]]|first=George|last=Yang|date=August 23, 2023|access-date=August 23, 2023|archive-date=August 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824001056/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-delayed-to-2024/1100-6517156/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was delayed again, for further polishing, with a release date of 5 September 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ngan |first1=Liv |title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl delayed until September |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-delayed-until-september |access-date=22 January 2024 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123223239/https://www.eurogamer.net/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-delayed-until-september |url-status=live }}</ref> It was delayed for the final time in July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2024-07-25 |title=Stalker 2 Delayed Again, This Time by 2 Months So the Dev Can Fix More 'Unexpected Anomalies' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/stalker-2-delayed-again-this-time-by-2-months-so-the-dev-can-fix-more-unexpected-anomalies |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726060248/https://www.ign.com/articles/stalker-2-delayed-again-this-time-by-2-months-so-the-dev-can-fix-more-unexpected-anomalies |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Release ==
The game was announced to be on [[Xbox Game Pass]] from launch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barbosa |first=Alessandro |date=June 13, 2021 |title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl Launches In April 2022, On Xbox Games Pass At Launch |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chernobyl-launches-in-april-2022-on-xbox-games-pass-at-launch/1100-6492799/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623191327/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chernobyl-launches-in-april-2022-on-xbox-games-pass-at-launch/1100-6492799/ |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, the game was released as a  [[Microsoft]]-[[Platform exclusivity|exclusive]] release, only releasing on Microsoft Windows and the Xbox Series X/S.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reeves |first=Brianna |date=April 30, 2021 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 On PS5 Not Planned, Developer Talks Xbox Exclusivity |url=https://screenrant.com/stalker-2-ps5-not-planned-xbox-exclusivity/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204624/https://screenrant.com/stalker-2-ps5-not-planned-xbox-exclusivity/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> This exclusivity, however, was only slated to be for three months following its release, as evidenced from leaked documents as a part of ''[[Epic Games v. Apple]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Sammy |date=May 2, 2021 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Could Come to PS5 Three Months After Release |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/05/s_t_a_l_k_e_r_2_could_come_to_ps5_three_months_after_release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211603/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/05/s_t_a_l_k_e_r_2_could_come_to_ps5_three_months_after_release |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=[[Push Square]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Donnellan |first=Jimmy |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Is Stalker 2 Coming To PS5? |url=https://culturedvultures.com/stalker-2-ps5-ps4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204725/https://culturedvultures.com/stalker-2-ps5-ps4/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=Cultured Vultures |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Rebecca |date=May 3, 2021 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Exclusive to Xbox for Just Three Months |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2021/05/03/stalker-2-ps5/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204203/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2021/05/03/stalker-2-ps5/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=PlayStation LifeStyle}}</ref>

[[Sega]] announced that a PS5 release will be done for Japan in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sega.jp/topics/detail/250711_2/|title=サバイバルホラーFPS『S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl』PlayStation®5版が2025年発売決定 |date=2025-07-11|language=Japanese|publisher=Sega}}</ref>

== Reception ==
<!-- Per Template:Video game reviews,
Every single-site review source should be used within the reception section. The reviews table supports the text. It is not to replicate the function of external review aggregators.
-->{{Video game reviews
| MC = (PC) 73/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref><br>(XSXS) 73/100<ref name="MCXSXS">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl for Xbox Series X/S Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
| OC = 62% recommend<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opencritic.com/game/17685/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-heart-of-chornobyl|title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Reviews|website=[[OpenCritic]]|accessdate=2025-06-15}}</ref>
| DT = 2/5<ref name="DT">{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Jason |date=20 November 2024 |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-pc/ |title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review: ambitious, but still a work in progress |website=[[Digital Trends]] |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
| EuroG = 3/5<ref name="EuroG">{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=Brendan |date=22 November 2024 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review |title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review - a vast wasteland of jank and jeopardy |website=[[Eurogamer]] |accessdate=22 November 2024}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last=Wakeling |first=Richard |date=20 November 2024 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-in-the-zone/1900-6418320/ |title=Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl Review - In The Zone |website=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
| GRadar = 3/5<ref name="GRadar">{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Andrew |date=20 November 2024 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/Stalker-2-Heart-of-Chornobyl-review/ |title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review: "The best but most broken game I've played all year" |website=[[GamesRadar]] |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
| HCG = 5/5<ref name="HCG">{{cite web |last=Moth |first=Jason |date=20 November 2024 |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/stalker-2-review/ |title=Review: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl |website=Hardcore Gamer |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
| IGN = 8/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |last=Higham |first=Michael |date=22 November 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review |title=STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl Review |website=[[IGN]] |accessdate=22 November 2024}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 83/100<ref name="PCGUS">{{cite web |last=Wolens |first=Joshua |date=20 November 2024 |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/stalker-2-review/ |title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review |website=[[PC Gamer]] |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
| PCGN = 8/10<ref name="PCGN">{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Paul |date=21 November 2024 |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/stalker-2/review |title=Stalker 2 review - a brutal and rewarding FPS |website=[[PCGamesN]] |accessdate=21 November 2024}}</ref>
| SN = 8/10<ref name="SN">{{cite web |last=Chandler |first=Sam |date=20 November 2024 |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/142276/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-score |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl review: I would walk 500 miles |website=[[Shacknews]] |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
| TG = 4/5<ref name="TG">{{cite web |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=21 November 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/nov/21/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-ukrainian-survival-adventure |title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review – transfixing Ukrainian dystopia built on underlying tragedy |website=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=21 November 2024}}</ref>
| VG = 8/10<ref name="VG">{{cite web |last=White |first=Lewis |date=20 November 2024 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review/ |title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review – standing just outside the Zone |website=VideoGamer.com |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
| VGC = 2/5<ref name="VGC">{{cite web |last=Middler |first=Jordan |date=20 November 2024 |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/review-stalker-2/ |title=Review: Stalker 2's best ideas are undercut by a stale plot and constant performance problems |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
| VG247 = 4/5<ref name="VG247">{{cite web |last=Makar |first=Connor |date=20 November 2024 |url=https://www.vg247.com/stalker-2-review |title=Stalker 2 review: an excellent work of struggle and loneliness, even if it is plagued by bugs |website=[[VG247]] |accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>
}}

=== Critical response ===
''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl'' received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCXSXS"/>

Jason Rodriguez of [[Digital Trends]] says that "''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl'' crumbles under the weight of its own ambition."<ref name="DT"/> Brendan Caldwell's review on ''[[Eurogamer]]'' said that "''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' is a mess of bugs and jank that nonetheless stays faithful to the open world survival shooter of yesteryear."<ref name="EuroG"/> "''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl'' is rough around the edges, but its propensity for creating emergent moments in a deadly and alluring world makes this trip back to the Zone a fraught and compelling experience" was Richard Wakeling's conclusion on ''[[GameSpot]]''.<ref name="GSpot"/> Andrew Brown wrote on ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' that "For fans of hardcore shooters or punishing post-apocalypse games, ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl'' is truly incomparable. Unfortunately, due to a litany of bugs, it's the greatest game you shouldn't play right now. Give it some time, and this will be one of the best survival experiences you'll ever play – but until then, only the series' biggest fans should take the plunge."<ref name="GRadar"/> Writer for ''Hardcore Gamer'', Jason Moth concluded that "While many long-running franchises have strayed from their roots in an (often misguided) attempt to appeal to as many players as possible, ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' knows its core audience well and delivers exactly the type of game we were hoping for."<ref name="HCG"/> Michael Higham for ''[[IGN]]'' said that "Underneath the technical problems that plague ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl'' is a unique greatness. It emerges as a refreshingly brutal shooter that strives to hook you with its incredible atmosphere and leave you invested by the end of this long, arduous journey."<ref name="IGN"/> ''[[PC Gamer]]''{{'}}s Joshua Wolens "Just like in the old days, performance issues and bugs don't stop ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.''{{'}}s mad, wonderful heart from shining through."<ref name="PCGUS"/> The review by Paul Kelly of ''[[PCGamesN]]'' concluded that "''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' is a punishing survival FPS that can be extremely rewarding for those who take the time to get comfortable in its playground. A few technical issues aside, there's not much else out there like this."<ref name="PCGN"/> ''[[Shacknews]]''{{'}}s review by Sam Chandler says "''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' offers an excellent framework on which more can be built. The world, especially the Zone, is just oozing with style, and the systems that are present are worth investing in, despite how shallow they can feel compared to other games in adjacent genres.<ref name="SN"/> Keith Stuart of ''[[The Guardian]]'' said that "''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' is a strange, brave and sometimes broken paean to resistance in the face of overwhelming odds. It is utterly uncompromising in its vision, often to a fault, and envelopes you in its dark spell of science, violence and chaos."<ref name="TG"/> Lewis White from ''VideoGamer.com'' says that "It's exactly what fans expect, albeit with a fancy, oftentimes gorgeous, new lick of paint and some modern sensibilities, but it's ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' through and through - for better and for worse."<ref name="VG"/> Jordan Middler concluded his review on ''[[Video Games Chronicle]]'' by saying that "''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' could be a great game in a few years, but what's presented at launch is a technical mess that doesn't capitalise on its best ideas. Compelling side stories and a brilliant setting do a lot of the heavy lifting, but at launch ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' isn't an adventure we'd fully recommend embarking on."<ref name="VGC"/> Connor Makar for ''[[VG247]]'' concluded that "In spite of its flaws, ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2'' is a brilliant game made under extenuating circumstances."<ref name="VG247"/>

It was reported that individuals based in Russia were bribing others to leave negative reviews on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] and [[TikTok]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamepressure.com/newsroom/russians-fights-stalker-2-by-buying-negative-reviews/z375e2 |title=Russians Fight Stalker 2 by Buying Negative Reviews |website=Gamepressure |date=2024-11-27 |access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://gamerant.com/stalker-2-review-bombing |title=STALKER 2 Review Bombing |website=Gamerant |date=2024-11-27 |access-date=2025-01-10}}</ref> The game was subject to numerous technical issues; upon the game's launch, GSC Game World announced in a statement that they were committed to fixing the issues.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Koch |first1=Cameron |title=Stalker 2 Dev Admits It's "Rough Around The Edges," But Is "Committed" To Fixes |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stalker-2-dev-admits-its-rough-around-the-edges-but-is-committed-to-fixes/1100-6527908/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=26 November 2024 |date=20 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=Victoria |title=Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl dev acknowledges "rough edges", says its monitoring feedback |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-dev-acknowledges-rough-edges-says-its-monitoring-feedback |website=Eurogamer |access-date=26 November 2024 |date=20 November 2024}}</ref>

In 2025, GSC Game World was declared "[[Russian undesirable organizations law|undesirable organization]]" in Russia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Разработчика игры S.T.A.L.K.E.R. объявили «нежелательным» в России|url=https://meduza.io/news/2025/11/18/razrabotchika-igry-s-t-a-l-k-e-r-ob-yavili-nezhelatelnym-v-rossii|access-date=2025-11-21|work=[[Meduza]]|date=2025-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121095410/https://meduza.io/news/2025/11/18/razrabotchika-igry-s-t-a-l-k-e-r-ob-yavili-nezhelatelnym-v-rossii|archive-date=2025-11-21|language=ru}}</ref>

=== Sales ===
''S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl'' sold one million copies within 48 hours of its release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2024-11-22 |title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Has Already Sold 1 Million Copies, With Many More Playing on Xbox Game Pass |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-has-already-sold-1-million-copies-with-many-more-playing-on-xbox-game-pass |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> By 4 March 2025, less than four months after its release, the game had surpassed six million players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GSC Game World's S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 hits 6 million players worldwide |url=https://english.nv.ua/life/stalker-2-6-milyoniv-50495568.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[The New Voice of Ukraine]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="auto"
! scope="col" |Year
! scope="col" |Ceremony
! scope="col" |Category
!Result
! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2024
| rowspan="3" | [[The Steam Awards]]
|Game of the Year
|{{nominated}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/steamawards/2024|title=The 2024 Steam Awards|date=December 31, 2024|access-date=January 3, 2025|website=store.steampowered.com|publisher=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]}}</ref>
|-
|Most Innovative Gameplay
|{{nominated}}
|-
|Outstanding Story-Rich Game
|{{nominated}}
|-
| 2026
| [[22nd British Academy Games Awards]]
| [[British Academy Games Award for Game Beyond Entertainment|Game Beyond Entertainment]]
| {{longlisted}}
| rowspan="2" align="center" |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/bafta-game-longlist-indiana-jones-ghost-yotei-split-fiction-1236604921/|title=‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,’ ‘Ghost of Yōtei’ and ‘Split Fiction’ Among Best Game Contenders in 2026 BAFTA Games Awards Longlist|first=Andrew|last=McGowen|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 9, 2025|accessdate=December 10, 2025}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.stalker2.com/#/}}

{{GSC Game World}}
{{S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Series}}

[[Category:2024 video games]]
[[Category:Alternate history video games]]
[[Category:Fiction about the Chernobyl disaster]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Open-world video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 5 games]]
[[Category:Post-apocalyptic video games]]
[[Category:S.T.A.L.K.E.R.]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Survival horror video games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine 5 games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the Czech Republic]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Video games set in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl|access_date=2026-03-05}}