STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set to arrive on November 20, and early impressions of the Xbox Series X version are starting to emerge.
Originally set to launch in 2023, STALKER 2 faced delays and is now confirmed for release on PC and Xbox Series S|X this month. It will also debut on Xbox Game Pass and is a timed exclusive, with other platforms getting it later. Recent leaks from an event in Brazil, including off-screen screenshots and gameplay videos, have raised concerns about the optimization of the Xbox Series X version.
A Reddit user named OrfeasDourvas shared their experience of playing the game on the Xbox Series X in Performance Mode. They described the performance as “not smooth” and the visuals as “a little dirty.” Despite praising the immersive weather effects and environmental details, they hoped for a substantial day-one patch to fix the current issues.
Regarding the A-Life 2.0 simulation system, which promises dynamic AI-driven interactions, the user noted they hadn’t seen enough of the feature to fully assess its impact. They speculated that this system might be contributing to the game’s performance challenges on consoles.
Have a look at the leaked screenshots and short video below.
The developers recently updated the PC system requirements for STALKER 2, which now demands high-end hardware:
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)
A day-one patch might resolve some of the issues reported by users, but it hasn’t been released yet.
STALKER 2 is now available for preload. However, it has a massive download size, making it challenging to install if you have limited storage space.
