During the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase Extended Showcase, GSC Game World announced that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has been delayed from its initial December 8 release date to 2023 due to the currents events happening in Ukraine. Additionally, a new “Enter the Zone” trailer and a developer diary for the game were also released. The game will launch for Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
Additional details from the publisher via a press release can be seen below:
“Some of GSC Game World’s employees have decided to defend their country while a part of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl’s development continues in Kyiv. The company has also established a new office in Prague, Czech Republic, where much of the game’s development will take place.”
The game’s details can be seen below:
Chornobyl Exclusion Zone has changed dramatically after the second massive explosion in year 2006. Violent mutants, deadly anomalies, and warring factions have made the Zone a very tough place to survive. It turned out that the center of the Zone hides the source of incredible power. Nevertheless, artifacts of unbelievable value attracted many people called S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s, who entered the Zone for their own risk striving to make a fortune out of it or even to find the Truth concealed in the Heart of Chornobyl.
Epic Nonlinear Story in a Seamless Open World
Take over a role of the lone stalker and explore photorealistic seamless open world in a 64-km² radioactive zone with a variety of environments that reveal post-apocalyptic atmosphere from different angles. Make your way through the Zone to define your destiny as you choose your paths within highly branching epic story.
Variety of Enemies and Hundreds of Weapon Combinations
Meet members of different factions deciding who of them worth your friendship and who deserve a bullet. Engage intense gunfights with a variety enemies that follow different tactics trying to outsmart you. Choose your preferable firearms from 30+ types of weapons with numerous modifications that allow creating hundreds of distinctive lethal combinations.
Legendary Mutants with Different Behavior Models
Prepare to encounter horrifying mutated creatures that will try to slaughter you following different behaviour model. Each mutant may appear in different subtypes which makes their behavior less predictable. Truly extreme danger represent regions with lairs with numerous mutants hunting in large groups.
Artifacts of Incredible Value and Unforgiving Anomalies
The most valuable artifacts and secrets of the Zone are hidden in the most dangerous places. Beware of the hazardous anomalies and unique devastating arch-anomalies as you hunt for highly valuable artifacts scattered around the Zone. Will you dare to unveil the mysteries of the Zone that took lives of many others before you?
Key Features
Unique gameplay built on a blend of first-person shooter, horror, and immersive sim.
Non-linear story with the variety of paths that lead to one of the several endings.
Benchmark-setting graphics developed using cutting-edge photogrammetric and scanning technologies.
Advanced artificial intelligence systems that will keep engaged even the most hard-boiled players.
Life-simulating system “A-life 2.0” that makes the game world feel alive as never before.
Immersive survival mechanics like hunger, sleeping, bleeding, and radiation effects that enrich the gameplay.
Dynamic day-night cycle and weather will add even more realism to the gameplay experience.
Mod support giving the freedom to the creative players to extend and enrich the game universe.
Multiplayer mode, that will be added soon after release as a free update.
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A Nintendo Switch trailer was also released.
According to SteamDB.
An announcement trailer was also released.