Microsoft opened strong during its E3 2021 presentation, starting with trailers forStarfieldandSTALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl, the long-awaited sequel to the cult classic post-apocalyptic horror FPS RPG. Thehighly anticipated gameis on its way to Xbox and PC next year.
Developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World,STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyllaunches in 2022 as a timed XBOX and PC exclusive. The game will be a “true next-gen experience,” according to Xbox’s presenter Sarah Bond. It’s optimized for maximum performance on the Xbox Series X and Series S and supports ray-tracing and 4K resolution.
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STALKER 2’sE3 trailer stitches together multiple scenes with a framing device of a group of STALKERs sharing stories around a campfire. The first vignette displaysSTALKER 2scombat engine in all its high-octane glory. It also shows off what looks like a weapon attachment system.STALKER 2’snew protagonistbegins the mission by screwing a silencer onto the barrel of his weapon for a few low-profile kills. He then picks up a rifle and attaches a scope for the next phase of the engagement. While it’s definitely more of a trailer than actual gameplay, it sets high expectations forSTALKER 2’s combat.
ButSTALKERisn’t meant to beCall of Duty.STALKER 2offers a lot more than wall-to-wall shootoutsin its hundreds of hours of gameplay. The second scene shows a careful trek across a barren field. It looks mostly empty, but the trailer shows that looks can be deceiving. Nearly invisible anomalies lie in wait to tear apart passing creatures and careless travelers. The player character needs to employ a special sensor device to keep from wandering into their path.
The following clip presents an unusual NPC interaction. It shows the protagonist try to get information from a man waltzing with himself in the ruins of Pripyat. The one after it offers a complete reversal of tone. It shows the main character hunting a monstrous creature in the dark ruins of an abandoned lab.
The most sinister moment comes near the end of the trailer, which teasesSTALKER 2’sstory. An unnamed character rants to the protagonist of the necessary evils required to “free” the Zone’s abandoned reactor. He seems to attribute action and intent to the derelict ruins of the plant,STALKER 2’stitularHeart of Chernobyl. Fans will have to find out who he is and what he’s planning when the game launches next year forWindows PC and Xbox consoles.
STALKER 2: Heart of Heart of Chernobylreleases June 15, 2025, for Windows PC and XBOX series X/S.
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