The highly anticipated STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl will launch on November 20, with a review embargo set for two hours before its official release. Insider Gaming initially shared the review embargo details for STALKER 2, stating the restriction lifts at 2 PM GMT/9 AM ET, but they later revised to emphasize the two-hour window before the game’s debut.
The title, which has faced delays since its original 2023 release date, is now confirmed as a timed exclusive for PC and Xbox Series S|X. Early feedback from players testing the Xbox Series X version has been mixed, raising concerns over performance. While some elements, such as weather effects and environmental details, have been praised, there are reports of suboptimal visuals and choppy performance in the console’s Performance Mode.
A Reddit user shared their gameplay experience, describing the visuals as “a little dirty” and the performance as “not smooth.” They speculated that the ambitious A-Life 2.0 simulation system, which dynamically interacts with the environment and NPCs, might be contributing to the game’s performance challenges. While this feature holds promise for immersive gameplay, players are hoping a day-one patch will address the current issues.
Developer GSC Game World recently released updated system requirements for PC, demanding powerful hardware for optimal performance.
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 x64 / Windows 11 x64
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
- RAM: 16 GB
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB / AMD RX 580 8GB / Intel Arc A750
- Storage: 160 GB SSD
- Target FPS: 30 (Low settings, 1080p)
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 x64 / Windows 11 x64
- Processor: Intel Core i7-11700 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- RAM: 32 GB
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti / RTX 4070 / AMD RX 6800 XT
- Storage: 160 GB SSD
- Target FPS: 60 (High settings, 1440p)
The preload for STALKER 2 is already live, though its substantial download size of over 150 GB poses a challenge for those with limited storage space. The game will also be available through Xbox Game Pass, offering an accessible option for subscribers.
