GSC Game World has released Patch 1.5.3 for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, targeting long-standing NPC and mutant behavior bugs alongside several technical fixes. The update eliminates mutant teleportation, NPCs spawning in mid-air or restricted areas, and issues where bloodsuckers appeared too frequently in large groups. Players can also expect corrected cinematic subtitles, fixed interact prompts, and improved Xbox sound stability.
Beyond gameplay adjustments, the patch resolves problems with HUD widgets on ultra-wide monitors, fixes twisted NPC animations, and eliminates four different crash scenarios. The studio has cautioned players that mods may be unstable following the update and encourages reporting issues to the official support hub to keep improving the Zone.
Full Patch Notes:
- Fixed an issue that caused mutants to teleport during attacks
- Fixed an issue where NPCs could spawn in the air
- Fixed an issue where bloodsuckers could spawn too often and in large groups
- Fixed an issue where the Skadovsk hub door could remain permanently closed
- Fixed an issue where A-Life NPCs could spawn in quest areas
- Fixed an issue where NPCs could spawn in the radiation field on the Slag Heap
- Fixed out-of-sync subtitles during the intro cinematic
- Corrected mistakes in the game credits
- Fixed missing interact dots for some items
- Fixed corrupted sound playback during credits on Xbox
- Fixed cases where NPCs spawned in unexpected places
- Fixed an animation bug where an NPC’s left arm could twist when holding only a pistol
- Fixed HUD widgets displaying while the PDA was open on ultra-wide monitors
- Resolved four crash issues
The studio has reminded players that modifications may not remain functional after Patch 1.5.3. Those facing performance or stability issues, particularly after Patch 1.5.2, are advised to disable mods to ensure smoother gameplay.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl released on November 20, 2024, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, marking the series’ return after 15 years. The game sold over one million copies within two days of launch. A PlayStation 5 version is scheduled for release in late 2025.
