The developers of Stalker 2GSC Game World posted a massive 35-minute video to YouTube on Monday previewing the upcoming sequel to their beloved open-world shooter franchise.
In it, the Ukrainian team described how they relied heavily on the authenticity of the experience. That authenticity applies to the game’s real-world setting around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. But it also applies to the various other manifestations of the game that have been delivered to fans since 2007. So if it feels like you’re looking at some of the same locations as STALKER: Shadow of Chernobylthen that’s because you’ve just upgraded to modern hardware.
Considering the length of the video, the details are still a bit sparse for my taste – including how exactly the oft-mentioned branching narrative will work. We do know that there will be 35 weapons in the game, and that some of those weapons will have upgrades and attachments. We also know that the inventory system will work much the same as the original, with individual items like healing kits diegetically hidden throughout the environment. There will still be a certain amount of Tetris to fit everything in your backpack, especially with the strict restrictions on restraints. The team also mentions that over three hours of cutscenes were filmed for the game, with a total of 43 different scenes.
STALKER2 was originally expected on September 5, but was delayed until November 20. The final game will be available on PC and Xbox Series X, where it will be included as part of the Xbox Game Pass program and available to all subscribers on release day.