STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl was one of my favorite games of 2024. It was plagued by a pretty rocky launch, disrupted by bugs and performance issues, but I was one of those able to look beyond and see the utter gem of a game underneath. In the (almost) year that has followed the launch of STALKER 2, developer GSC Game World has worked tirelessly to improve it.
Recently, the team at GSC posted a new STALKER 2 2025 roadmap, uncovering everything coming to the irradiated open-world title in the coming months.
STALKER 2 Engine Rework Coming
GSC Game World revealed that STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl will get an engine update soon, porting the game to Unreal Engine 5.5.4 to further improve optimization. This will go hand-in-hand with launching ‘phase two’ of the Zone Kit, allowing for better modding with enhanced audio and narrative tools.
Beyond that, stacks of changes are coming to STALKER 2 with the 2025 roadmap:
- New anomalies
- New missions ‘from old and new friends’
- New weather scenario
- Master difficulty preset
- Extended day/night cycle
- Stashes loot rework
- Stamina and energy drinks rework
- Immersive display mode
- Player equipment UI update
- Local save backup restoration
Not only that, but a special ‘Discord Holiday Event’ has been teased by the team.
Related: STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl Review
STALKER 2 PS5 Launch Coming Soon
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set to be released on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro this year. The latter launch will bring further upgrades and enhancements to the game, leaning on the computing power of Sony’s enthusiast console.
For now, the game is coming to PlayStation 5 in Q4 2025, which is in the coming months. It’ll likely receive a solid release date at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live ceremony, given that the game is playable on PlayStation 5 Pro during the event.
GSC capped off the STALKER 2 2025 roadmap by stating: ‘Mission targets may be moved from 2025 to later dates in case of Zone instability.’
Are you looking forward to STALKER 2’s roadmap? Let me know what you’re waiting for on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Borderlands 4 will feature 30 billion guns
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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