S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl: An Unforgiving Experience: Hands-On Impressions from Summer Game Fest
After seventeen years since the original, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is finally set to arrive this Fall. Speaking from hands-on experience at Summer Game Fest, it’s going to be brutal.
Over the weekend at Summer Game Fest, I had the opportunity to sit down for a hands-on demo of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (stylized as S.T.A.L.K.E.R., but for the sake of this article, I will simply call it “Stalker”). I knew this game would be difficult going in, but I wasn’t prepared to be embarrassed by the first monster I encountered. For those unfamiliar with the Stalker series from GSC Game World, this sequel to 2007’s Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl, takes place in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Surviving in this open-world environment is difficult enough, even before you factor in the anomalies and monsters that roam the devastated lands.
The demo starts as the player character is dropped off just outside the zone, transporting a mysterious device to a bunker somewhere inside. The radio constantly chimes in with soldiers relaying information about the recent destruction and what might have caused it. Helicopters fly overhead with searchlights as the two characters duck into hiding. After some hasty words, the protagonist jumps the fence, knowing full well that he will have no contact with the outside world until reaching the bunker.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, GSC World Publishing, 2024
To say Stalker 2 is unforgiving would be appropriate. The first anomaly I encountered, a wisp of electricity in an underground passage, seemed harmless at first. But of course, took nearly half my health bar as I foolishly approached. Escaping this first anomaly led to the outside world, which offered much more exploration. Though a strange growling sound warned me I wasn’t alone. Out of the bushes came what I can only describe as a giant head on four pointed legs. These are the kinds of things to expect from Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Unloading an entire clip of the pistol into its face didn’t slow it down, and the angry head quickly dispatched the protagonist, sending me back to the latest save in the underground tunnel.
The second attempt went about the same. On the third attempt the developer sitting next to me gently reminded me that pressing Q would use a medkit. On the fourth attempt, I made progress. Both the monster and I were killed simultaneously. Ironically, this was a fascinating moment in the demo experience because somehow the game managed to save the moment before I died. This meant when I tried to reload to fight the monster again, I instead was caught in a loop of repeated deaths. After one more failed attempt to fight this monster, the developer kindly stepped in and made it look easy. To be fair, I was nearing the end of a long busy weekend at Summer Game Fest.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, GSC World Publishing, 2024
After these many defeats, I only had time to explore some of the area, make it to the bunker, and find a way inside before my time was over. While I didn’t get to experience everything the demo had to offer, I still learned a lot about Stalker 2. This game is as unforgiving as the irradiated, post-apocalyptic landscape it is set in.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set to launch on September 5th, 2024. It will be playable on day one with Xbox Game Pass and available on Xbox Series X & S and PC via Steam.
