STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl Delayed; Now Targeting a Q1 2024 Release Window

Well, another delay for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, but it is totally okay. GSC Game World has announced that Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has now been pushed back once again, and it is now targeting a Q1 2024 release window. 

However, no clear reason has been provided for the delay. Nevertheless, it is evident that the game is in its final stages of development, with only a few finishing touches remaining. And this additional time will undoubtedly be of significant help in that. 

The first-ever playable demo of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl was presented at 2023‘s Gamescom, and the media outlets that got their hands on the demo are praising it for being extremely polished and visually appealing, thanks to Unreal Engine 5.

It has also been reported that the demo was extremely encouraging for exploring the ultrarealistic and beautiful yet horrifying surroundings in Stalker 2, which shows that the developers have put their heart and soul into the game. 

The delay is completely understandable, and fans are cautiously optimistic about the game as the development cycle of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has been nothing short of a long roller coaster ride. Stalker 2 has experienced everything: financial challenges, the closure of its development studio, and a full-on real-life war.

But it seems like fans will not have to wait too long, as the previously confirmed release window of December 2023 is not that far from Q1 2024. This extra time will allow the developers to perfect Stalker 2 for an immersive and lasting experience for FPS horror survival fans who have been waiting for this game for over a decade now.

The fact sheet confirming the new release window for Stalker 2 also reveals that the pre-orders of the game for Xbox Series X|S and PC via Microsoft Store, Steam, and GOG are live now. (Please note that upon checking, the pre-orders are not live yet at the time of this article, but as the developers have confirmed, they are expected to go live soon.)

About STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl

The updated fact sheet also revealed additional information about the game.

Welcome to the Zone

An area of exclusion around the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Brimming with radiation, mutants, and anomalies, it continually lures adventurers from beyond its perimeter.

Bounty hunters dwell deep into the Zone, drawn by its hidden treasures and enigmatic mysteries. These people are known as stalkers. Are you ready to become one of them?

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a brand-new entry in the legendary series, enjoyed by millions of players worldwide.

The unique combination of first-person shooter, immersive sim, and horror is back. Immerse yourself in the intricately detailed open world, accompanied by next-gen graphics and a rich narrative, all enveloped within the intense atmosphere of a deadly adventure.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl aims to be the pinnacle S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience, featuring a unique, distinctive world and a story that is shaped by the player’s choices.

Key Features

• Play a major part in a branching cinematic story that unfolds in the setting of a local post-apocalyptic dark science fiction landscape.
• Experience one-of-a-kind gameplay, featuring the elements of a first-person shooter, immersive sim, and horror.
• Survival mechanics that hinge on searching for crucial and valuable supplies: food, drinks, meds to survive the harsh conditions, (un)natural hazards and hostile locals.
• Shed light on the dark secrets of these lands, hunt mutants, and explore the mysterious anomalies in search of precious artifacts with game-changing affinities.
• Try to survive in tactical firefights against various enemies and more than 30 firearm models, yours to upgrade and customize.
• Experience benchmark-setting graphics powered by the Unreal Engine 5.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is now scheduled for release in Q1 2024 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC via Microsoft Store, Steam, and GOG. Following a 3-month timed exclusivity period on Xbox, it will reportedly launch on PlayStation 5 in Q2 2024. This information comes from a leaked court document in the Apple vs. Epic Games lawsuit.

What are your thoughts about this news? Let’s discuss this in the comments section below.