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GSC Game World's Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has gone gold ahead of its November 20 release on PC and Xbox series consoles. The launch completes a development cycle that began with its announcement in 2010.
The sequel to Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl faced delays including the studio's closure and reformation. Development was halted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where GSC Game World operates - a period documented in War Game: The Making of Stalker 2. The team relocated operations to Prague in 2022 to continue development.
Set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Stalker 2 continues the series' survival mechanics and science fiction narrative. Recent footage shows gunplay and horror elements running on updated technology. The game uses Unreal Engine 5, marking a shift from the first game's proprietary X-Ray Engine.
The game retains survival systems while expanding exploration and environmental features. GSC Game World released a trailer showing Zone environments and hazards. New gameplay mechanics include an expanded crafting system, equipment degradation, and enhanced weather effects that affect survival conditions.
Pre-order bonuses include a detection rifle, storage equipment, and cosmetic items. Some players have raised concerns about these additions affecting game progression. The studio has released details about multiple editions, including an Ultimate Edition with season pass content.
The game includes both Russian and Ukrainian voice acting options, with GSC Game World noting this decision aims to preserve player choice while acknowledging current events. NPCs will use multiple languages based on their faction backgrounds.
The game requires 180GB of storage space on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with no announcement yet for PlayStation versions.
