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Press release:

KYIV, UKRAINE — November 20, 2025.
GSC Game World are today very proud and pleased to announce that ‘S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl’ is now available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro, exactly one year after its original launch on PC and Xbox Series X|S.

Set in a fictional Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl immerses players in a dangerous open world forged by a second catastrophic explosion in 2006 following the 1986 disaster. This event transformed the area into the Zone: a deadly territory filled with mutants, radiation, and anomalous phenomena. Stalkers venture deep inside, chasing artifacts, riches, or answers. Some flee their past, others are driven by greed, and a few seek the truth hidden within the Zone’s mysteries.

Players step into the role of Skif, a lone stalker drawn into the Zone by unexpected events. On the path to the Heart of Chornobyl, players will uncover secrets, navigate volatile faction politics, and fight for survival. Every choice matters in this non-linear story with over three hours of cinematic cutscenes. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, photogrammetry, and real-world visits to the actual Exclusion Zone, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 delivers the series’ signature atmosphere and authenticity at their strongest yet.

On PlayStation 5 the game takes full advantage of the hardware, including:

Adaptive triggers and haptic feedback

Gyro aiming via motion sensors

Speaker, lightbar, and touchpad features

Tempest 3D Audio

Full trophy support

PlayStation 5 Pro adds:

Improved shadow quality and resolution

Enhanced global illumination

Higher-quality reflections

Improved volumetric fog

Enhanced volumetric cloud rendering

Alongside the PlayStation 5 release, Update 1.7 is now live on all platforms. Key changes include:

Major A-Life Overhaul

NPCs and mutants now actively fight for and lose control of territories. Most points of interest, checkpoints, and locations (except hubs) are constantly contested.

Master Difficulty

A new ultra-hard mode, selectable only at the start of a new game. Features tougher balance, no autosaves, and disabled manual saves. Progress is saved only when leaving hubs or during major story moments.

Inventory & Equipment UI Rework

Redesigned interface showing protection against Zone hazards. Consumables and artifacts now have five quality tiers instead of three. New radiation balance bar for equipped artifacts.

Stamina & Energy Drink Changes

Three movement speeds: walk, jog, and sprint. Overusing energy drinks now causes hand tremor and aiming penalties.

…and hundreds of other fixes and improvements.

About GSC Game World
GSC Game World, a Ukrainian video game developer, was founded in 1995 and is renowned for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Cossacks series. The studio is committed to delivering top-tier gaming experiences and recently released S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.