Write what you are looking for and press enter to begin your search!
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Review: A Haunting Dance Of Survival & Struggle
Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), Xbox Series
Genre: Post-apocalyptic survival horror RPG shooter
Survival horror is a genre that I tend to steer clear of. Mainly because I’m a scaredy-cat and I despise jumpscares. Yet, when a juggernaut like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl looms on the horizon, there’s no escaping the call.
So, I braved my fears, donned my metaphorical gas mask, and ventured into the Zone. As someone entirely new to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, with no prior experience in the Metro series or even the survival shooter genre, I approached the game with fresh, albeit unqualified, eyes. My mission? To discover whether this entry serves as an accessible gateway for newcomers and if its hefty AAA price tag is worth the plunge.
After hours of exploration, dozens of deaths, and more moments of existential dread than I care to admit, I can confidently say that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is both a testament to the franchise’s uncompromising identity and a game that’s unapologetically difficult to love.
The game begins by introducing you to Skif, a rookie Stalker tasked with venturing deep into the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. The details of his mission are deliberately vague, and the Zone itself is a cruel and enigmatic teacher. Tutorials appear briefly on screen, explaining mechanics like avoiding radiation or using specific equipment, but most lessons are learned the hard way—through failure.
Death is a constant companion in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, but not in the cheap, frustrating way that many modern games employ. Here, death is woven into the game’s core design. Whether you fall victim to a hidden anomaly, an ambush by bloodthirsty mutants, or a gust of wind that literally disassembles you, each failure teaches a valuable lesson about survival.
This punishing loop, where every misstep is met with brutal consequences, creates a palpable tension. Each venture into the Zone feels like a high-stakes gamble, where every bullet fired and every medkit used could be the difference between life and death.
What sets S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl apart isn’t just its immersive gameplay or realistic mechanics—it’s the sheer density and depth of its world-building. The Chornobyl Exclusion Zone isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing entity that challenges you at every turn. From the rusted skeletons of long-abandoned vehicles to the desolate remnants of Soviet-era buildings, every detail tells a story of tragedy, abandonment, and resilience. You’ll find yourself lingering in these spaces, not just to scavenge supplies, but to absorb the melancholic beauty of a world where nature and decay coexist in eerie harmony.
The Zone’s dynamic weather system and day-night cycles only deepen the immersion. Watching a storm roll in, with lightning illuminating the barren wasteland in brief, blinding flashes, is both breathtaking and terrifying. As night falls, the Zone transforms into a predator’s playground—visibility drops, danger spikes, and the ominous howls of unseen threats send shivers down your spine. It’s in these moments that the game feels less like a shooter and more like a survival horror masterpiece.
But beyond its immediate impact, the world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 opens up tantalising possibilities for the future. Reflecting on the modding communities that have kept games like Skyrim, Fallout, and Cyberpunk 2077 alive and thriving for years, one can’t help but dream of what fan-made content could do for the Zone. Imagine user-generated expansions that introduce new factions, weapons, or anomalies—or perhaps entirely new areas to explore. The canvas is vast, and the community’s creativity could turn the already rich tapestry of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 into something truly legendary.
Historically, the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series has been a fertile ground for modders, spawning countless tweaks and overhauls that kept the original title relevant long after its initial release. With modern tools and GSC Game World’s potential support for modding, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 could ascend from a great game to an immortal one. Whether it’s refining mechanics, expanding lore, or offering a completely reimagined experience, the modding community’s involvement might be what truly cements the game’s legacy.
The magic of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl lies not in its premise alone but in how every aspect of the game collaborates to immerse you in its hauntingly captivating world. While I won’t delve too much into the main storyline—because discovering its intricacies is an experience best had first-hand—the elements surrounding it elevate the narrative in ways many modern RPGs, like Cyberpunk 2077, have struggled to achieve.
The story isn’t just told through cutscenes or missions; it’s etched into the very fabric of the Zone. Every weathered sign, abandoned building, and haunting anomaly feels like a fragment of a larger tale, one that speaks of loss, resilience, and the human drive to adapt. While other games might rely on bombastic moments to draw you in, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 takes a subtler approach. It doesn’t shove its world down your throat—it lets you breathe it in, piece by piece until you feel like you’ve lived there yourself.
The brilliance lies in how everything—the environment, the sound design, and even the combat—conspires to keep you grounded in this grim, unpredictable reality. It’s a level of immersion that surpasses most other recent RPGs because it doesn’t just ask you to play—it dares you to survive. You don’t just walk through the Zone; you endure it, and in doing so, you become part of its story.
Adding to this sense of immersion is the cast of characters who populate the Zone—an eclectic mix of voices that bring a deeply human touch to this desolate world. Skif, the protagonist, is voiced well enough to convey his part in the story, but it’s the supporting characters that truly shine. Their accents and deliveries are as varied as the people who might realistically find themselves drawn into a place like this. From the gravelly tones of American survivors to the lilting brogues of Scots, there’s an oddly believable diversity here that feels organic rather than forced.
At first, the mix of accents might seem jarring—after all, wouldn’t most people in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone be Ukrainian or at least Eastern European? But instead of breaking immersion, it does the opposite. It paints the Zone as a magnet for wanderers, outcasts, and fortune-seekers from across the globe, all drawn together by their singular drive to survive. There’s a lived-in quality to their performances that make you feel like these people really exist—grizzled veterans telling corny jokes around campfires, mercenaries exchanging uneasy pleasantries, and scavengers quietly mourning their losses.
The voice acting isn’t perfect, of course. There are moments where the accents waver or lines come off a bit stiff. But in a way, that imperfection fits. These are not polished heroes of a blockbuster movie; they’re desperate, rough-edged survivors scraping by in a world that’s actively trying to kill them. It’s this rawness, this unvarnished sincerity, that makes the performances resonate.
Where other games might rely on grandiose dialogue or overly scripted exchanges, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 keeps things grounded. Conversations feel natural, even if the accents are occasionally incongruent. Every voice you hear reinforces the idea that the Zone is a melting pot of the desperate and the daring—a place where survival knows no borders and everyone has their reasons for braving its dangers. It’s a detail that makes the world feel as alive as it is deadly, pulling you deeper into the game’s atmosphere with every word.
If there’s one thing that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 teaches you, it’s that survival in the Zone is earned, not given. Every encounter feels like a test of wits, resourcefulness, and skill. Unlike many modern shooters, there’s no hand-holding here—your health doesn’t magically regenerate, ammunition isn’t handed out like candy, and enemies are as ruthless as they are varied. The game’s combat mechanics are brutally realistic, forcing you to consider every bullet, every movement, and every decision.
Gunplay is deeply satisfying but fraught with challenges. Weapons feel weighty and impactful, but they’re not infallible. When a gun jams mid-firefight, it’s more than a minor annoyance—it’s a life-or-death situation. The tension of quickly switching to a backup weapon or scrambling for cover adds a visceral layer to engagements that few games manage to achieve. Combat in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 doesn’t just test your aim; it tests your adaptability under pressure.
This is where the game’s customisation mechanics come into play. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 gives you the tools to craft a playstyle that suits your strengths—or compensates for your weaknesses. While I only scratched the surface of these options during my playthrough, the possibilities are tantalising. Imagine modifying your shotgun for increased range to handle the Zone’s many mutated threats or outfitting a sniper rifle for precision shots in human skirmishes. The customisation options promise depth and versatility, offering a lifeline for players who embrace experimentation.
The potential for modding adds yet another layer of excitement. If the community embraces S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 as fervently as they did its predecessors, we could see weapon customisation taken to new heights. Think enhanced crafting systems, entirely new weapon types, or even mechanics that redefine how gear interacts with the Zone’s anomalies. The thought alone is enough to keep me eagerly awaiting what’s to come.
Surviving S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 isn’t just about mastering the Zone; it’s about mastering yourself. Whether you succeed or fail, each step forward feels like a hard-fought victory in a game that respects its players enough to challenge them relentlessly.
In the desolation of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, survival hinges on more than just quick thinking—it’s about having the right tools for the job. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 delivers a solid arsenal, featuring 35 distinct weapons that cater to a variety of playstyles. From humble handguns to devastating machine guns and launchers, each weapon feels purposeful and crucial, depending on your situation.
Early on, I gravitated toward three trusty companions: the PTM (a Makarov-inspired pistol), the Viper-5 (essentially an MP5), and the aptly named Boomstick—a sawed-off double-barrel shotgun. The PTM quickly became my weapon of choice, thanks to its accessible ammo supply from Traders, fast reload times, and decent damage output. While it’s not flashy, it’s reliable—a quality you’ll come to appreciate when every shot matters.
As the game progresses, the weapon variety truly shines. You’ll find yourself drawn to favourites that match your playstyle, whether you prefer precision over power or sheer destructive force. The weapons, like the Zone itself, challenge you to adapt and think strategically. And yes, that sawed-off shotgun saved my life more times than I care to count.
From the research I’ve done, the game stays true to its roots, offering an experience that’s as unrelenting as the Zone itself. Its open-world design encourages exploration and experimentation, rewarding players who embrace its harsh rules and punishments.
The freedom to approach missions in multiple ways is one of the game’s highlights. Whether you choose to sneak past enemies, engage them head-on, or use the environment to your advantage, the game rarely forces a single approach. This flexibility is a testament to the developers’ commitment to creating a living, breathing world where the player’s choices matter.
However, this commitment to authenticity comes at a cost. The game’s difficulty curve is steep, and its mechanics can feel unintuitive. Without prior experience with the series or the survival shooter genre, newcomers may find the learning curve insurmountable.
No review of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 would be complete without addressing its technical shortcomings. From inconsistent AI behaviour to occasional bugs, the game’s rough edges are impossible to ignore. While some of these quirks may align with the game’s “DIY” aesthetic, others feel like genuine oversights that detract from the overall experience.
By far, the biggest obstacle for me was just how demanding the game is on hardware. To say S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 requires a beast of a PC would be an understatement. Even with my laptop running an RTX 3060 Mobile and a 12th Gen Intel i5 CPU, the game ran at a less-than-ideal 30 FPS throughout my playthrough on the lowest graphical settings possible. While I’m aware the graphical fidelity and attention to detail can be pristine on higher-end PCs, the performance trade-off on a regular one is just too steep. I can imagine that many players may find themselves frustrated—or even inclined to refund the game—upon realising their rigs can’t run it smoothly.
Adding to the jank was an issue that left me wrestling with the game’s aiming mechanics on PC. Imagine your crosshair carrying a sense of momentum, as though it’s sliding on ice. This effect, likely intended to add realism, made aiming feel sluggish and imprecise. While the momentum itself didn’t bother me too much—it’s something I could adapt to over time—the real problem was the palpable input delay. The combination of these two factors turned what should’ve been immersive combat encounters into moments of irritation, where precision felt unnecessarily difficult.
Then there’s a frustration that might resonate more with reviewers than everyday players, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. Over just a few days with my review code, I encountered not one but two enormous updates—both over 100GB each. This understandably delayed my ability to play and evaluate the game, creating significant downtime that I could’ve spent immersed in the Zone. While it’s reasonable to assume GSC Game World will iron out these issues by the full release, it does raise concerns about the game’s readiness and the potential headaches awaiting those with slower internet connections.
That said, there’s a certain charm to the game’s unpredictability. From weapons jamming mid-firefight to NPCs behaving erratically, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 thrives on its chaotic energy. These quirks make the Zone feel untamed and alive, as though it’s actively resisting your presence. However, the technical rough edges, especially those tied to performance and controls, push the limits of what even die-hard fans might tolerate.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is not a game for everyone. Its unforgiving difficulty, steep learning curve, and technical issues make it a challenging experience, especially for newcomers. Yet, for those willing to brave its harsh world, the game offers a deeply immersive and rewarding journey, moreso than other open-world games.
For veterans of the series, it’s a triumphant return to form—one that stays true to the franchise’s uncompromising identity. For newcomers however, it’s an intimidating introduction to a genre that demands patience, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace failure.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
Platform(s): Xbox Series (version played), PS5, Xbox One, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch Genre: Annual football game from EA As someone who's played a h...
The Studio Trigger-animated anime Cyberpunk Edgerunners, which takes place in the world of CD Projekt Red RPG Cyberpunk 2077 but before the exploits o...
Square Enix has confirmed that the multiple titles from the Kingdom Hearts series will soon launch on Valve's platform. The announcement was made thro...
">
