S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Reviews
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl may be bug-riddled but that doesn’t hamper what is a satisfyingly challenging and highly unique experience that will keep players on their toes.
Stalker 2 has not evolved the gameplay formula of its predecessor, but it is authentic and faithful to its series – both in a positive and negative way.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Stalker 2‘s bugs and issues are numerous and severe, but it stands as a testament to how great the game buried underneath them is that it still manages to shine.
Stalker 2 features a stunning world, supported by Unreal Engine 5, where the freedom of exploration and survival mechanics stand out. However, it suffers from technical problems, poorly structured missions, and problematic artificial intelligence. The launch was obviously rushed.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Look, if you’re a fan of the Stalker franchise, then Stalker 2 is going to be everything you’d hoped and probably expected from it. It’s a spectacular game with enjoyable combat that is filled with challenge and thrills, with a story and world that will have you hooked the moment you step in. It’s not breaking away from the formula established by its predecessors, but despite coming out 14 years later, it’s impressive that GSC Game World still has that magic touch that made the original games so special. That’s with everything going on in Ukraine; it’s commendable that GSC Game World even managed to release this. It doesn’t excuse the technical aspects, as Stalker 2 needs more polishing on both bugs and performance, though if you can look past that or wait a few months, you’ll find Stalker 2 to be quite an experience. That’s, of course, if you can even make it into the Zone alive.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl covers almost everything, from the dynamics of the world and combat to crafting and survival systems — everything is truly special. Graphics, sound design, plus storytelling are all on the highest level; that's why it doesn't really matter if you are a fan of the series or if it's your first time.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl brings back one of the most iconic FPSs of the last 20 years. Despite the time that has passed, the guys at GSC Game World have created a worthy successor to the first chapter. The team decided not to distort the series, maintaining a high level of difficulty compared to other modern shooters. Each step into the Exclusion Zone could be our last: not only because of the creatures and enemies that will try to kill us, but also because of the atmospheric and radioactive anomalies that will put our survival skills to the test. On the side we find an excellent graphic and sound compartment even if there are several technical problems and bugs that we hope will be solved in a short time.
Review in Italian | Read full review
STALKER 2 isn't perfect and has some problems that aren't easy to fix, but it still delivers big time when it comes to its gameplay and graphics.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
GSC Game World brings its ambitions to life in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, with a hauntingly atmospheric open field that perfectly captures the bleak, morally ambiguous life of a stalker. However, severe technical issues make even shader compilation feel like a prayer-worthy event.
Review in Korean | Read full review
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl lives up to its predecessors in a massive way. With a dangerous and stunning world, excellent gameplay, a tight story, and astounding sound design, STALKER has never been better. At the same time, the game is too easy, and doesn't mechanically incentivize exploration as much as it should, given how enjoyable that aspect is. Still, STALKER 2 is worth the wait, and newcomers will find it easy to sink right into the destroyed beauty of the Zone.
Although this may not be a perfect game, it must be honestly said that no one ever expected this from Stalker. The atmosphere, harshness, and unforgettable adventures in the Zone matter - and Stalker 2 has more than enough of that.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is nothing short of a production miracle. Despite the well-known challenging working conditions, GSC Game World has managed to create a project born out of immense passion and love for the world of video games. From its dark and mysterious atmosphere to its well-developed shooting mechanics and a game world that is both thoughtfully designed and excellently written, the entire experience is undeniably captivating. Despite a few easily fixable bugs, the game stands as one of the most satisfying experiences in recent years. These developers truly deserve applause for what they have achieved, setting an inspiring example for game creators worldwide.
Review in Italian | Read full review
"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2" simply does not deliver enough and is too flawed to give it a good rating. The AI and game balance in particular are so bad that we cannot even recommend "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2" to fans of the predecessors, who are certainly used to suffering, without major reservations. It was not a complete disaster, and the fact that GSC Game World managed to get the title out in a playable form despite the war is certainly no small achievement.
Review in German | Read full review
This enormous, immersive survival FPS is the cream of the crop, and it’s a bar to which every developer in the genre should aspire to reach.
I've come out through all the trials and tribulations of the Zone and all that was left on the other side was I, Stalker. That's all I wanted from this game, and it fully delivered.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is an unforgiving and uncompromising affair that's not for everybody. For its target audience, it could quite possibly be the game they've been waiting for the past decade and a half, heralding the return of this beloved cult classic. The game is tough and will beat you down if you're not attentive enough, requiring a commitment to immersion. The key to the game is to simply keep at it. The journey to get there may be painful and frustrating, and many players will certainly tune out in the process. Players who persevere will find a rewarding title and a living world filled with possibilities as time goes by, despite a number of bugs and rough patches.
Stalker 2 stands out as an impressive and immersive survival shooter. A huge, handcrafted world with interesting story choices, lots of content and quality all around. Refreshingly, you are not a superhero out to save the world, but a regular grunt trying to survive
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Stalker 2 has more bugs than we can tolerate, but it's still a very enjoyable game. The attention to detail in its huge open world, the new AIs and the new gunplay mechanics won me over. It also has great graphics and after a few updates I think it will be a must-play for everyone.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a game that, in my opinion, is all too rare in this form. GSC Game World has managed to create an incredibly atmospheric combination of survival, horror and end time in a fascinating environment. Despite all the shooter weaknesses, the wooden dialogues, the incredibly annoying anomalies over time and some dubious technical problems, I fell in love with this zone. You won't find that much freedom and mystery anywhere else. Added to this is a story that takes its time to get it going, but then surprises with cool factions and robust characters. This excursion to Chernobyl requires patience and stamina, but rewards you with spectacular views, fierce battles and an expressive end time.
Review in German | Read full review
While performance woes hinder it, STALKER 2 is a fiercely unique and immersive survival game. It asks the player to put in the work and struggle against its harsh systems that may turn many off. However, if you’re willing to persevere through its systems and technical issues, there is a special experience waiting to be found within the enchanting Zone.