S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Update Adds Squad Fast Travel and Improves A-Life

2

The latest S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl update, titled The Zone Lookout, introduces several gameplay improvements following the major Archmajor 2.0 update. Players can now fast travel with squad leaders, increase the visualisation distance for A-Life NPCs, and use updated binocular functionality that supports the expanded streaming distances. The update also improves anomaly rendering and interactions with dead bodies.

Combat and artificial intelligence have received numerous fixes, addressing problems such as NPCs and mutants becoming stuck in mid-air, enemies failing to attack under certain conditions, and excessive mercenary spawns at Duga. The patch also addresses a wide range of quest progression blockers, missing NPCs, visual glitches, and performance issues. PlayStation 5 players receive fixes for several missing characters and quest items, while additional improvements cover level design, anomaly visibility, and compatibility with SteamOS and GeForce NOW.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Update Patch Notes

New Features and Gameplay Improvements

• Added an option to increase the visualisation distance for A-Life NPCs.
• Updated binocular functionality to support the new streaming distances.
• Added a fast travel system with squad leaders.
• Improved anomaly behaviour to work with the updated systems, including streaming distance and interactions with dead bodies.
• Improved the visual effects of the CNPP arch-anomaly.
• Increased the rendering distance of anomalies based on the Streaming Distance setting.
• Changed the visual effects of the Flare light anomaly.
• Increased the identification range of binoculars when using the increased A-Life streaming distance setting.

AI and Combat Fixes

• Fixed an issue where massive NPCs or mutants could spawn at Rostok.
• Fixed an issue where NPCs could have levitating weapons behind their backs.
• Fixed excessive mercenary NPC spawns at Duga.
• Fixed an issue where armed NPCs could aim in unintended directions.
• Adjusted NPC reactions to the player’s melee attacks.
• Fixed an issue where NPCs could become stuck while looting corpses.
• Increased the internal height of some cover objects to improve AI behaviour around low cover.
• Fixed an issue where the Amok Run attack could fail to trigger when initiated outside the target’s line of sight.
• Fixed an issue where NPCs would not attack the player unless directly looked at.
• Fixed an issue where NPCs could become stuck inside campfires.
• Extended the audible range of gunfights based on the Streaming Distance setting.
• Fixed an issue where A-Life NPCs and mutants could become stuck in mid-air.
• Fixed an issue where A-Life NPCs would continue moving during dialogue.
• Fixed an issue where Bandits could not return to their positions near the Chief’s bunker after an emission.
• Fixed an issue where NPCs could fall through level geometry after death.
• Fixed an issue where enemies could enter a closed room during the Shift Change mission.
• Fixed an issue where NPCs could not see or shoot the player through mesh fences and barred walls during the To the Origins of Freedom mission.

Main and Side Quest Fixes

• Fixed an issue where The Destructive Power of the Mind mission could not be started.
• Fixed an issue where The Road to the Center of the Storm mission could not be started.
• Fixed issues preventing Shadows of the Past and To the Origins of Freedom from starting.
• Fixed an issue where the Territorial War mission could not be started.
• Fixed an issue where the Distant Mirage mission could not be started.
• Fixed an issue where In the Heart of the Iron Forest could not be started.
• Fixed an issue where the player could get stuck in a building after fast travelling to Zalissya before watching the cutscene.
• Fixed an issue where the player could skip part of The Forgotten mission using parkour.
• Fixed an issue where the player could run through the radiation field during The Last Wish mission.
• Fixed an issue where the player could bypass the centrifuge sequence during Moving in the Shadows.
• Fixed an issue where the player could skip a cutscene through fast travel during Dangerous Liaisons.
• Fixed an issue where the player could use parkour in the reactor room to reach unintended areas, blocking progression during Uninvited Guests.
• Fixed an issue where the emission could start during The Destructive Power of the Mind mission.
• Fixed issues with emission sequences pausing during The Destructive Power of the Mind and The Road to the Center of the Storm.
• Fixed an issue where the emission during Behind Seven Seals could suddenly stop.
• Fixed an issue where the sequence involving Chekhov could not start during To the Origins of Freedom.
• Fixed an issue where the player could die from an emission during In the Heart of the Iron Forest.
• Fixed an issue where the player could die from bleeding during cutscenes in The Road to the Center of the Storm and Dangerous Way.
• Fixed an issue where the player could not trade with Chief after completing Fair Deal.
• Fixed an issue where the player could receive a stash location for an already looted stash on Master difficulty.
• Fixed an issue where Skull’s stash was not marked on the map during Shift Change.
• Fixed an issue where the Zhuzha grave could be missing after A School of Life.
• Fixed an issue where the player could avoid spawn triggers during Where Hope Leads.
• Fixed an issue with the invisible anomaly inside the X18 lab.
• Fixed an issue where the player could bypass the Water Bulb anomaly during Moving in the Shadows.
• Fixed the quest logic exploit in Fair Deal that allowed players to enter a room before Cleaver spawned.
• Fixed an issue where zombies could leave the restricted area at the Sawmill during Fair Deal.
• Fixed an issue with the Pseudogiant failing to activate tripwires during In the Heart of the Iron Forest.
• Adjusted the ambush logic during the Mediator mission.
• Changed the final reward for the Mediator mission.
• Adjusted the spawn of snorks during Legends of the Zone.

PlayStation 5 Quest and NPC Fixes

• Fixed an issue where NPCs were missing on PS5 after the 2.0 update.
• Fixed an issue where Varan could be missing during Deal with the Devil.
• Fixed an issue where Squint could be missing during A Needle in a Haystack.
• Fixed an issue where Scar and his squad could be missing during The Assault on the Duga.
• Fixed an issue where Sava could be missing during Hot on the Trail.
• Fixed an issue where Shcherba could be missing during In Search of Past Glory.
• Fixed an issue where a quest item body could be missing during Deal with the Devil.
• Fixed an issue where the dead body containing the basement key could be missing during Chasing Ghosts.
• Fixed an issue where the Star NPC could be missing during Dawn of a New Day.
• Fixed an issue where Banzai could be missing from the player’s save.
• Fixed an issue where Max Subbota could be missing during The Lost Boys.
• Fixed an issue where Solder could be missing from the Sphere during An Invisible Threat.
• Fixed an issue where Kaymanov could be missing at the end of Dark Times.
• Fixed an issue where Shcherba could be missing near Dvupalov at the end of In Search of Past Glory.
• Fixed an issue where a quest item body could be missing from Diode’s workshop during The Price Goes Up.
• Fixed an issue where the player could not start the initial missions of the DLC.
• Fixed an issue where the player could not start DLC missions with their equipment properly retained.

Mission Animations, Visuals and Audio

• Fixed the scope mark at Margach D-12MT when using FSR Frame Generation.
• Fixed blurry textures on several scopes when aiming down sights.
• Fixed sound effects during the cutscene in The Destructive Power of the Mind.
• Fixed Dr. Kryvenko’s PDA-hiding animation during A Long Overdue Visit.
• Fixed visible NPC spawns during The Destructive Power of the Mind.
• Fixed NPC spawns after the cutscene in Moving in the Shadows.
• Adjusted Scar’s spawn during the Subtle Matter cutscene.
• Fixed duplication of Strider’s shell during Hot on the Trail.
• Adjusted subtitle appearance during The Price of a Miracle.
• Fixed visible spawns of the Pseudogiant during the elevator sequence in The Price of a Miracle.
• Fixed visible spawns of Scar and his guards during the Subtle Matter cutscene.
• Fixed Richter’s hair during certain missions.
• Fixed Agatha’s glowing hair effect during the Wishful Thinking cutscene.
• Fixed Mavka’s hair lighting and appearance during The Destructive Power of the Mind.
• Fixed hair visual issues during the cutscene in In the Heart of the Iron Forest.
• Fixed an issue where Lens could teleport to the roof of his garage in Zalissya when approached from a distance.
• Fixed an issue where corpses could change position after loading a save.
• Fixed Skif’s pistol behaviour during the Moving in the Shadows cutscene.
• Fixed sudden foliage appearances near the end of Moving in the Shadows.
• Fixed an issue where Strider could be missing for a few frames during the Subtle Matter cutscene.
• Fixed an issue where NPCs and corpses could appear directly in front of the player.
• Fixed an issue where gunfire occurring indoors could be heard as though it were coming from outdoors.
• Fixed an issue where Harpoon would appear only after combat near the Kurin hub.
• Fixed an issue where the Ward NPC would not spawn during Visions of Truth.
• Fixed an issue where some anomaly visual effects could freeze at a distance.
• Fixed an issue involving overshadowed leaves on Poplar trees.
• Fixed an issue where a flare could trigger while waking up at the end of The Price of a Miracle.
• Fixed an issue where Zen could move to the wrong position and respond with busy dialogue during Uninvited Guests.
• Fixed water droplets freezing in the air during movement.
• Fixed an issue where the player could not shoot through bushes and tree branches.
• Fixed the material of lab tables in the Azimuth Station control centre during Chasing Ghosts.
• Fixed the broken texture on the dashboard model during Chasing Ghosts.
• Fixed excessive camera shake when Rascal kills Skull during White Noise.
• Fixed an issue where Zulu’s armour could appear floating after loading a save.
• Fixed an issue where Shterev could be dead during Dead Frequency.
• Fixed an issue where Shterev could immediately revive if killed before speaking to him during Dead Frequency.
• Fixed an issue where Zulu could teleport when returning to the snork cave during The Road to the Center of the Storm.
• Fixed an issue where the Spark squad member could struggle to reach the combat area during The Assault on the Duga.

Open World and Level Design Improvements

• Improved level art and level design during To the Origins of Freedom.
• Improved level art and level design inside the X-16 laboratory.
• Changed gate access logic at the Chemical Plant after the Signal.
• Fixed an issue where large numbers of neutral NPCs could leave the Yaniv hub when the player approached.
• Improved level art and level design across the Generators, Cooling Tower, CNPP, and Malachite regions.
• Improved level art and level design at locations associated with The Road to the Center of the Storm.
• Improved level art and level design at locations associated with The Destructive Power of the Mind.
• Improved level art and level design at locations associated with Gunpowder, Sweat, and Blood.
• Fixed collision issues on the stairs during The Price of a Miracle.
• Fixed collision issues in the Zulu boss fight area.
• Fixed an issue where part of the dungeon beneath SIRCAA could disappear in front of the player.
• Fixed an issue where some artefacts could spawn beneath the level geometry.
• Fixed an issue where the Arch-artefact clock could fall beneath the textures.
• Fixed an issue involving incorrect NPC positioning and access to restricted areas.

Performance and Stability Improvements

• Fixed performance drops during To the Origins of Freedom at the Perimeter Dam.
• Fixed performance issues at the Underpass Exit during Dangerous Way.
• Fixed an issue where numerous map markers could cause a memory leak and make the map unresponsive.
• Fixed several issues involving dead bodies appearing or falling in front of the player.
• Fixed an issue where the Faraday anomaly was rendered by the GPU while inactive.
• Fixed an issue where foggy daytime weather appeared too bright.
• Fixed an issue where the Zone’s Deadliest Predator achievement could only be obtained if all mutants were killed in one play session.
• Fixed an issue where starting equipment could be reset during early or advanced DLC starts.
• Fixed several issues involving missing NPCs, quest progression, and save-state behaviour.

Other Updates and Fixes

• Fixed an issue where DLC and add-ons were not applied during the first launch on SteamOS.
• Fixed an issue preventing GeForce NOW users from launching DLC.
• Fixed localisation for some text during the start of a new campaign.
• Updated descriptions for certain graphics and video settings.
• Fixed typographical errors in the Ukrainian localisation.
• Fixed gamepad functionality issues on portable consoles and Steam Machine.
• Fixed an issue where unexplored location tooltips could appear on the map.
• Fixed an issue involving missing elevator doors during Law and Order.
• Fixed an issue where the player could navigate outside the map during Wishful Thinking.
• Fixed an issue where the player could not move after loading a save near a wall during There and Back Again.
• Fixed an issue where the player could receive duplicate mutant encounters after loading a save during Unexpected Alliance.
• Fixed an issue where Nitro could be missing during Unexpected Alliance.
• Fixed an issue where the forced dialogue with Bandits could be missing during an encounter in the Garbage region.
• Fixed an issue where the player could receive incorrect quest-related information or rewards.
• Fixed various additional issues affecting NPC behaviour, quest logic, environmental effects, and visual presentation.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl was released on November 20, 2024, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, followed by PlayStation 5 on November 20, 2025. The game was developed and published by GSC Game World.

Are you excited about these changes? Let us know what you’re looking forward to in the comments!