Review of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl – the new installment in the popular shooter series

Contents:

• "I saved you and I won't play at being noble"
• "Oh, the swag isn't what it used to be these days"
• "Come in, come in from the side"
• "Go your way, stalker"
• "Happiness for everyone, for free, and let no one leave offended"

"I saved you and I won't play at being noble"

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl offers players a unique experience from the very first minutes. After a stunning introductory cutscene, in which the protagonist, Scythian, discovers a powerful artifact in his burned-out apartment outside the Zone, a linear tutorial begins. This tutorial meets the standards of modern AAA games and helps players master the basic mechanics and controls. Players are immersed in a world filled with dangers and unexpected twists, making every minute of the game exciting.

Having infiltrated the Zone, Skif attempts to charge an artifact in nearby anomalies in order to sell it for a high price. For the next thirty minutes, you mostly press buttons on the screen. However, the protagonist is soon ambushed by the military organization "Varta", gets hit in the face with a rifle butt, and wakes up among the anomalies, left with almost no equipment.

The story begins with a gripping introduction reminiscent of Fallout: New Vegas, when the player is sent to search for the man who framed Skif. The player is released to explore a region known as the Minor Zone. There are many opportunities to interact with the surrounding world and complete various tasks, which makes the journey through this unique place exciting and full of surprises.

In this starting area, you will gradually become familiar with the main features of the series. First, you will have to fight bandits in an abandoned farmstead, then you will resolve the conflict between free stalkers and the military group "Varta". Soon you will descend into the first dark basement, where you will encounter the first poltergeist. This will allow you to not only master the mechanics of the game, but also immerse yourself in an atmosphere full of tension and unexpected twists.

Don't trust the reviews of reviewers who claim that the new "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." is difficult to start playing. In fact, the game provides the player with all the necessary hints and instructions in the first hours. The characters don't treat you like the main character, and while they don't greet you with open arms, you can always get an explanation from a character if needed, who will clearly explain the key aspects and mechanics of the game.

"Oh, the swag isn't what it used to be these days"

A straightforward approach to gameplay can sometimes be effective. Older games had plenty of awkward situations that could confuse even the most experienced players.

At times, Heart of Chornobyl is overly eager to introduce the player to the plot: upon arriving in Zalesye, the first S.T.A.L.K.E.R. hub, you're faced with half an hour of cutscenes and dialogue. These lengthy cutscenes not only distract from the gameplay, but also contradict the traditions of the series, which usually reveals the plot and mythology of the Zone through hints.

As soon as you leave Zalesye, Heart of Chornobyl immediately reminds you that it belongs to the famous series.

Weapons in the game quickly become unusable and start to jam. Inventory capacity is limited by weight, which complicates item management. Mutants are distinguished by high speed and survivability, and enemies need to be shot in the head to effectively use up ammunition. In addition, at the beginning of the game, a lack of funds does not allow for weapon repairs, so the player has to take part in various quests to obtain resources.

The second part of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. offers players several convenient innovations. Each hub now features a unique chest, reminiscent of a similar element from Resident Evil. This chest automatically transfers all collected items to the next hub, significantly simplifying inventory management. The game also features destructible planks and ladders, which are painted a bright yellow color, which has become something of a meme. Gameplay tutorial elements explain their functionality in advance, allowing players to quickly adapt to the game world.

From the very beginning, Heart of Chornobyl demonstrates its commitment to the classic "Stalker" style, while simultaneously striving to soften its harshest aspects. This combination of old and new is implemented with varying success, pleasing fans of the series and new players alike. The developers are trying to preserve the atmosphere of the original, while introducing modern elements of gameplay and graphics, which makes the gaming process more exciting and accessible.

The aesthetics of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl are an important aspect of the game. On one hand, the developers use the capabilities of the Unreal Engine to create a unique combination of post-Soviet devastation and elements of sci-fi horror. This approach attracts the attention of fans of the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, who appreciate the game's atmosphere and its deep development. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is expected to offer players not only a gripping storyline but also a visually impressive world, immersing them in the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the Zone.

Gloomy photorealism reigns in the locations, where you can see dozens of abandoned and dilapidated factories, institutes, and collective farms. There's also the opportunity to enjoy a cozy get-together around a campfire with a guitar—you can join in and play your own tune. Sound effects, such as the PDA beep and the anomaly detector, remain faithful to the original trilogy. The game features the entire original cast of monsters, including even such annoying ones as burers and psi-dogs. This atmospheric world immerses you in a unique atmosphere, preserving the spirit of the original and offering players a new experience.

The second "Stalker" lacks some aspects that could have improved the overall experience. The use of the Unreal Engine significantly facilitated the development process of the sequel, but also imposed certain limitations. As a result, the color palette of the new game became overly saturated, while dynamic shadows practically disappeared. This led to the sequel's visual style at times appearing more artificial and glossy compared to the original.

The interface in Heart of Chornobyl evokes similar thoughts. The creators seem to have strived to make it as diegetic as possible, adding animations for actions such as opening a backpack, drinking vodka, and eating sausage. However, the menu design leaves much to be desired: in contrast to the animated main menu and the realistic screen of the stalker PDA from "Shadow of Chernobyl", the interface elements in the sequel look lifeless. Some of them even feel cheap, like the death counter, which is constantly accompanied by the same depressing image of a sad bloodsucker. This detracts from the overall experience and requires further development to enhance the game's atmosphere.

However, all these aspects seem insignificant compared to the main problem - underdeveloped artificial intelligence. In the current situation, weak AI is not able to effectively solve complex problems, which limits its application in various fields. Improving algorithms and technologies is a key step towards creating more powerful and functional artificial intelligence. Investments in research and development should focus on increasing the intelligence of machines so that they can perform more complex tasks and adapt to changing conditions.

"Come in, come in from the side"

In the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy, the A-Life system provided a simulation of life in the Zone, which became one of the key features of this game series. The developers at GSC Game World succeeded in creating a truly living open world where players could interact with the environment and its inhabitants. This innovative technology made the Zone unique and memorable, offering players the opportunity to experience exciting moments in a post-apocalyptic atmosphere. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. not only provided players with a captivating story but also created a sense of real life within the game space.

In most video games, when a player leaves a location, activity there stops. At this point, the computer unloads all characters inhabiting that location from RAM. Life in the location resumes only when the player returns. This creates a sense of emptiness and allows for focus on exploring new territories, but it also limits interaction with the surrounding world while the player is outside the location.

In S.T.A.L.K.E.R., characters go offline. The artificial intelligence becomes less complex, but stalkers and mutants continue to fight, move around the map, and form groups. This creates a unique atmosphere for the game, allowing players to observe the actions of NPCs who continue to live their lives even when they are not under the player's control. This approach adds depth and realism to the gameplay, and allows you to explore the game world more freely.

The original trilogy regularly presented unexpected situations unforeseen by the developers. A safe rest stop could be seized by bandits, and the stalkers you encountered could perish in a clash with mutants. You could eliminate an enemy, leave the location for several in-game days, and then return to find a pseudo-dog eating his corpse. These elements created a unique atmosphere and contributed to the deep involvement of players in the gameplay.

The little details in "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." play as important a role in creating the atmosphere as the grim post-Soviet landscapes of the Zone. Random events immerse the player in the feeling that the world is not focused solely on them. The player character is just one of many stalkers striving to survive and cope with current challenges. These details enhance the overall perception of the game, emphasizing its uniqueness and depth.

Heart of Chornobyl often lacks a certain feel that became the hallmark of the original trilogy. The developers initially actively promoted the A-Life 2.0 system, promising that it would function the same way as in the previous games. However, in the lead-up to release, information about the A-Life system was removed from the game's official Steam page. This raised questions among fans who were hoping for the unique gaming experience familiar to them from the classic games in the series to be preserved.

Now it is clear why these changes took place: life simulation elements have been implemented in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. in a simplified form. This is implemented similarly to the systems in Far Cry or the "Director" system from Left 4 Dead. The game periodically generates random events that occur in close proximity to your character, providing a unique gaming experience.

From the very beginning of the game, it was obvious that the world was full of dangers. In the first couple of hours, my character died twice at the same well. The first time, when I climbed to the surface, he was attacked by mutants. The second time, back in the light, I encountered bandits. However, the third time, leaving the dungeon, I saw a group of free stalkers passing by, and this time there were no enemies.

The illusion of a living Zone in Heart of Chornobyl could have lasted longer if NPCs were placed at a greater distance from the player. However, in this game, other characters often appear unexpectedly, right around the corner. This creates an effect of surprise, but can also break the immersion in the world. The presence of NPCs appearing out of nowhere distracts the player and reduces the level of realism that the developers could have achieved.

Weak artificial intelligence in modern games reduces immersion. In older games, even small squads of bandits posed a serious threat: they could pelt the player with grenades, flank them, and attack at the most inopportune moments, such as when the player was reloading or healing wounds. Sometimes, opponents would hide in cover, and when the player approached, they would suddenly attack with shotguns. These elements created tension and required strategic thinking from the player, which made the gaming experience more engaging and exciting.

NPC actions were logical, allowing players to outsmart them and prevail in difficult situations. In the original Stalker games, enemies sometimes exhibited a lack of reaction time, which can be attributed to the open and complex environments where encounters took place. However, enemy characters often felt almost lifelike, adding depth to the gameplay and making each encounter unique.

Heart of Chornobyl doesn't boast a similar level of artificial intelligence: enemies in the game behave like frightened chickens, mindlessly darting from side to side and often failing to notice the protagonist, even when they're very close. This unnatural reaction of enemies reduces the tension and realism of the gameplay, making battles less exciting and tense.

Sometimes their eagle eyes, which are not afraid of either darkness or long distances, come to the rescue. You can be in pitch darkness with your flashlight turned off, hiding in the bushes just a hundred meters from the enemy, but he will still be able to hit you with an accurate shot from a broken Kalashnikov.

Stealth is practically non-functional in the game, which creates many problems. Enemies either do not notice the player at close range, or somehow recognize him among the boxes in a dark corner of the warehouse. This unpredictability makes it difficult to know whether you'll be noticed or not, so it's much easier to take a straightforward approach and take out your opponents in open combat.

GSC Game World has decided to abandon a full-fledged life simulation, and there are obvious reasons for this. In previous games in the series, such as Call of Pripyat, the need to manage numerous background processes often caused technical issues, including slowdowns and crashes. For example, during my playthrough of Call of Pripyat, the game unexpectedly crashed to the desktop, even while in the pause menu. This highlights the importance of stability and performance for players, which was likely one of the factors that influenced the developers' choice.

Attempt to fully run A-Life in the new S.T.A.L.K.E.R., which already suffers from bugs and low frame rates, could lead to unpredictable consequences. It is unknown how stable the system will be and how this will affect the overall gaming experience. It is important to take into account that A-Life requires significant resources and optimization, which in the current conditions can cause additional difficulties and worsen the game's performance.

The developers promise to improve the artificial intelligence in future updates, but at the moment, the simulation of life in the Zone feels more like an imitation. This is quite disappointing, as the open world is the game's main achievement. It is important that the developers focus on improving the artificial intelligence so that players can fully immerse themselves in the Zone and experience all its nuances. Improving the AI ​​can significantly improve the quality of gameplay and make interaction with the surrounding world more realistic and engaging.

"Follow Your Path, Stalker"

The Zone concept provides the perfect foundation for an open-world game. This unique environment combines elements of exploration, survival, and interaction with a variety of characters and creatures. Players can immerse themselves in the Zone, discovering new locations, solving complex problems, and encountering unpredictable events. These game mechanics contribute to the development of the story and allow each user to create their own unique experience, making the game especially appealing to open-world enthusiasts.

An abandoned space filled with deadly anomalies, aggressive mutants, and valuable artifacts attracts the attention of explorers. This unique place evokes a desire to explore its secrets and risks. Every corner hides dangers, but also opportunities to discover new knowledge and treasures. Exploring such spaces becomes a true test for the brave and inquisitive, willing to face unpredictable threats for valuable experience and rare finds.

The series was hampered by one important circumstance: technical limitations that forced the map to be divided into separate sections, interspersed with loading screens. As a result, the Zone in the old S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games, despite its rich atmosphere, was perceived as a collection of disparate locations, which reflected its true nature.

In the second part, the developers successfully solved the problem of fragmentation of the gameplay: now disparate elements are united into a coherent whole. The map of Heart of Chornobyl is truly impressive in its size – it covers 64 square kilometers without a single loading screen. Unlike other games, where vast open worlds can be inconvenient, here the scale is used effectively, which significantly enriches the gaming experience.

The large distances in the Zone intensify the feeling of isolation, which was already felt in the previous parts. Here this feeling becomes especially acute, as kilometers of dangerous path often lie between the player and the shelter with survivors. Situations when you hide from chimeras among the reeds, realizing that no one will come to the rescue, are long-lasting and become part of the unsettling experience. This aspect of the Zone highlights not only the physical danger, but also the psychological stress the player experiences when facing threats alone.

The open world of Heart of Chornobyl is filled with life and interesting details. Despite its significantly increased scale, the Zone has become even more diverse and rich. Even if you simply follow the main story, you will encounter many exciting discoveries and unique elements along the way that will make your journey unforgettable. Explore every corner of this world, and you will discover a wealth of content and fascinating moments that await you in Heart of Chornobyl.

At the beginning of my journey in Zalesye, I descended into the basement of a local factory and stumbled upon significant supplies of food and ammunition. While I was exploring the basement, bandits were waiting for me outside, and it turned out they weren't happy with my robbing them.

Another time, I had to escort a novice stalker out of the anomaly's center. He'd gotten carried away by a charlatan's lectures and decided to search for artifacts without the necessary equipment, including bolts and a detector. Later, I was sent after Varta soldiers driven mad by psi-radiation, in order to wound them and provide a pretext for sending them to the mainland. It is important to remember that safety in the Zone requires proper training and knowledge, and ignoring these aspects can lead to serious consequences.

This is just a small part of the many stories that happened to me during the 40 hours spent in the Zone. In terms of eventfulness, Heart of Chornobyl can easily compete with linear action games such as Metro.

The game's open world provides many opportunities for exploration and immersion. Even without completing quests, players can easily find something to do for several hours. For example, you can go to the center of the anomaly to find a valuable artifact. Or explore a lonely tower in search of a cache. No less exciting will be the battle with the bloodsucker hiding in the nearby village. Also worth enjoying are the spectacular storms, when powerful winds and lightning shake the ground in the immediate vicinity of your character. Be sure to take shelter from the blast—a powerful eruption of psi-energy that not only shakes the earth but also turns the sky scarlet, creating an unforgettable experience. Each of these elements makes the game more exciting and memorable.

Moments like these once again highlight the beauty and diversity of the game's world. Although the Zone in Heart of Chornobyl, like in previous installments, is predominantly represented by similar forests, swamps, and industrial zones, the designers manage to place them in a new context each time. This creates a unique atmosphere and allows players to rediscover familiar locations. Every element of the environment is designed with attention to detail, which makes exploring the world even more exciting.

The radioactive waste accumulated in the landfill and the loading cranes create a unique look for these places. The huge wall of Duga-2 and the industrial labyrinth of Rostock form the characteristic features of the region. The lowlands of Zaton, where dry cargo ships are stuck, add to this contrast, making it easy to distinguish between the different areas. These elements emphasize the specificity and uniqueness of each region, making them easily recognizable.

In this context, it's worth noting that GSC Game World has significantly updated and reworked familiar locations from previous installments in the series, giving them a vibrant new identity. Nearly all areas of the Zone have been expanded, with new points of interest added, creating additional opportunities for exploration. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. veterans will be able to find familiar locations among them, adding an element of nostalgia and deepening the gaming experience.

The latest changes to these locations are virtually unnoticeable. If you are familiar with the depot at the Svalka or the bulk carrier "Skadovsk", you will find it easy to navigate these places.

The Zone, on the one hand, reflects its character, remaining timeless, despite all the cataclysms. On the other hand, the immutability of its appearance emphasizes the significant changes in the world around it. Many familiar characters from the last part found themselves outside the process of progress, which makes the contrast even more sharp. This creates a feeling of abandonment and loss, indicating how quickly and irreversibly the surrounding reality is changing.

"Happiness for all, for free, and let no one leave offended"

In the original trilogy, the Zone acts as a new Wild West, representing a unique frontier. It is a place where the opportunity to earn money or start life with a clean slate attracts adventurers and marginalized people from all over the world. The Zone becomes a symbol of freedom and danger, beckoning those willing to take risks for their dreams.

Inspired by the works of the Strugatsky brothers, such as the novella "Roadside Picnic," and Andrei Tarkovsky's film "Stalker," early video games depicted the Zone as a mysterious phenomenon impossible to fully understand. These games conveyed an atmosphere of uncertainty and mystery, immersing players in a world where the laws of physics and logic do not apply. The Zone became not only a place of danger, but also a symbol of human fears and aspirations, which increased interest in this phenomenon.

People have repeatedly tried to deal with the Zone. The "Duty" group viewed it as a threat to humanity that needed to be destroyed, while "Freedom" sought to open the Zone to scientific research. However, one only has to look at this alien world, where reality is disintegrating and hordes of mutants emerge from the center guarded by the Brain Scorcher, and it becomes clear that the stalkers' attempts to control these territories appear extremely naive. The Zone remains a mysterious and dangerous place, full of surprises and unpredictable threats.

The Zone in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a unique space reminiscent of the Wild West. A railroad and telegraph lines have been installed here, creating an interesting blend of a post-apocalyptic world and elements of the Old West. Players will be able to explore vast locations full of dangers and mysteries, making this region a truly captivating adventure.

More than ten years have passed since the Marked One disabled the Brain Scorcher. This event opened the way to the center of the Zone, and Major Degtyarev discovered reports containing information about the Zone's origins in underground laboratories beneath Pripyat. The wish-granter and the Klondike of artifacts described in stalker legends turned out to be completely different from what they were imagined. Research has revealed that the Zone conceals many secrets that require further investigation. Myths about its riches and dangers continue to attract stalkers, but the reality turns out to be much more complex and multifaceted.

The Zone, once a mysterious frontier, has become part of everyday life. Scientists, relying on documents from X-Labs, have learned to generate anomalies and create mutants. Stalking has become a new craft, although it remains a dangerous and semi-legal activity. This reflects the game's main themes: while the original trilogy focused on exploring the unknown, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 largely explores the theme of loss and the disappearance of the past.

The film's mood is established from the opening scene, which shows a burnt-out house. Unlike previous heroes in the series, Scythian comes to the Zone not to start a new life, but to restore the fragments of his old one.

The game constantly returns to characters and lore elements from the first game, which delights fans. It's always a pleasure to see familiar faces or hear about them. It's interesting to see what happened to our favorite heroes, although things usually don't go well for them in Heart of Chornobyl.

The Cordon is gradually dying out due to Sidorovich's greed. The bandit Sultan expelled the bartender Boroda from the shelter he himself built on "Skadovsk." The Clear Sky base was reduced to ruins, and the "Freedom" and "Duty" factions sold their ideals for money. In their place came new, more ruthless forces—the terrorists from "Iskra" and the military from "Varta." These changes in the Cordon demonstrate how the pursuit of power and profit is destroying the already fragile balance in the zone.

A former Monolith member named Vagabond, who founded a new faction called "Noon," is facing the loss of his comrades. His group members are deeply homesick for the past, when the Monolith zombified them and they found happiness in the unity of their sect. This story ends tragically, highlighting the influence of the past on the present and showing how strong bonds can be destroyed when ideals change.

The story isn't just about nostalgia for the past. It unfolds slowly, and the first 20 hours of the game serve to deeply familiarize players with the main parties to the conflict. This time allows players to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and understand the characters' motivations, which makes the story richer and more layered.

The open world in Heart of Chornobyl is truly one of the game's most outstanding features. As mentioned, the story gives the player the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Zone, allowing them to enjoy its unique environment before imposing the usual duty of saving the world. This creates a balance between exploration and completing missions, which makes the gameplay more engaging and memorable.

In the early stages of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Players are constantly presented with choices, ranging from dialogue options to cooperation with various factions. These decisions have significant impact: some will impact the fate of individual regions, while others will shape a grand plot based on ideological confrontation. The outcome of these events will determine the future of the entire Zone and make each game unique.

On one side are scientists from the Chernobyl Anomalous Zone Research Institute and the military from "Varta", seeking to destroy the Zone as a phenomenon and use its energy for scientific research. On the other side, there is a diverse group of stalkers who fear the consequences of the scientists' experiments or intend to use current events to resolve their personal conflicts. The conflict between these groups highlights the complex nature of the Zone and its impact on people striving for power, knowledge, or survival.

The Zone will demonstrate to both sides of the conflict the dangers associated with the belief that a person is capable of using irrational phenomena for their own rational purposes. This illusion can lead to unpredictable consequences and increase tension in the situation. It is important to realize that attempts to control or manipulate such phenomena often turn against the initiators themselves. Lessons learned from encounters with irrationality should form the basis for a deeper understanding of conflicts and ways to resolve them.

Exploring the events in Heart of Chornobyl is a fascinating process that offers many unexpected plot twists. These twists can change your perception of the parties to the conflict. However, to fully understand what is happening, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the events of the previous parts of the game. This will give you the opportunity to dive deeper into the plot and appreciate all its nuances. Understanding the previous events will enrich your gaming experience and help you better understand the motivations of the characters and their actions within the conflict.

The second "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." harmoniously integrates plot elements from the previous games, which gives the universe additional coherence. This underlines the importance of the series' legacy and shows that, despite the emphasis on the future, GSC Game World continues to maintain a connection with the history of the franchise.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a high-quality game that, despite its shortcomings, returns us to the undeservedly forgotten game design discoveries of the series. The nostalgia that permeates the sequel is felt especially acutely in 2024, when the world is faced with cataclysms, both man-made and natural. This game not only attracts the attention of old fans but can also interest new players, immersing them in the unique atmosphere of the Zone and its dangers.

The opening cutscene clearly draws a parallel with the fate of GSC Game World, which was forced to partially relocate its offices to the Czech Republic. This situation reflects the current realities of the gaming industry and highlights the importance of companies adapting to changing conditions. GSC Game World, known for its innovative projects, continues to strive to create high-quality games despite the challenges it faces.

In one of the first side quests, the player is tasked with finding an icon in an abandoned village near Zalesye. This item has no particular value, but it represents an important symbol for the client, who was evacuated from his hometown as a child during the first Chernobyl disaster. For him, the icon is the only reminder of his lost home and a time when he was happy. Exploring such quests helps to better understand the history of the characters and the atmosphere of the game.

Unfortunately, notes the second "Stalker," in our reality we can only collect artifacts of the past. A full return home can only be a dream. The game's design and plot confirm this feeling. The game world immerses us in an atmosphere of lost hopes and nostalgia, making every interaction with the artifacts even more meaningful. Every design detail and plot twist emphasizes the complexity and tragedy of the situation the characters find themselves in.