STALKER 2 developer deep dive shows over 30 minutes of new gameplay and interviews, and it looks like the sequel I’ve always wanted: “There is no such other game”

STALKER 2 gets a lengthy gameplay showcase ahead of its Xbox and PC launch in November.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

What you need to know

What you need to know

Ahead of the upcoming November 20, 2024 release ofSTALKER 2on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, andXbox Game Pass, developer GSC Game World has shared a new deep dive video that goes over the Xbox console exclusive’s world and its gameplay in great detail. Notably, this deep dive comes afterSTALKER 2 was delayed in late Julyfor polishing, and is the closer look that was promised at the time.

The showcase — you can watch the full thinghereor via the embed below — is just under 36 minutes long, and features tons of new gameplay footage and information as well as several interviews with four of STALKER 2’s developers: GSC Game World CEO and game director Ievgen Grygorovych, creative director Mariia Grygorovych, level art team lead Dzmitry Anoshka, and cinematic lead Ingwar Dovgoteles. There’s also a full walkthrough of an early quest in the Swamps area in which the player has to disable beacons emitting deadly radiation.

The ultimate takeaway from the deep dive is that with STALKER 2, GSC has focused on recapturing what players loved about STALKER’s take on the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone inthe original trilogy of gameswhile expanding on it with more freedom, features, and dynamism. The sequel’s iteration of The Zone will have 20 regions in total, with each built with appearances in past games, real-world photogrammetry, or both in mind. Compared to their design in previous entries, however, returning locations are more open than ever before, giving players the opportunity to explore entirely new areas within them.

•Best Xbox / PC headsets in 2024•Best upcoming Xbox/PC games•Best Xbox controllers•Best Xbox accessories•Best small gaming PCs•Best gaming laptops in 2024

Freedom is at the core of STALKER 2’s design ethos, with the developers noting that The Zone has “almost no barriers” and is rich with opportunities for players to roleplay as the stalker they want to be. Whether you focus on progressing the main story or go off to adventure as you see fit, the game will support your choices and playstyle with plenty of diverse encounters to experience, hidden loot caches to find, side quests to complete, and more. The studio has also explained that the world will be very dynamic, with free-roaming stalkers and factions interacting with players in different ways and some outcomes becoming unavailable in a playthrough depending on your choices or external factors.

Surprisingly, factions may even break up or fragment into splinter groups, which has the potential to dramatically change the power structure within The Zone. It’s also been said that stalkers in different factions will behave in unique ways, which will likely make them far more distinct than they were in the original games; for example, free “Loner” stalkers will be far more likely to keep to themselves or travel in small groups, while disciplined troops under the banner of the Duty faction will adhere to strict daily schedules and frequently utilize military tactics.

The gameplay of STALKER 2 appears to lean more towards simulation than arcade, with what was shown of its grounded movement and gunplay reminding me quite a bit ofMetro Exodus. I’m not sure I’d call it realistic — STALKER never has been, really — but combatislethal, with individual rounds dealing high damage to both enemies and the player. Between firefights or scraps with deadly mutants (combat against the returning Pseudodog, Flesh, and Controller was shown, as was a new “Bayun” feline that lures players in with audible imitations of stalkers calling for aid), you’ll need to balance survival elements like hunger and fatigue and avoid the dangerous supernatural “anomaly” phenomena that litter The Zone’s landscape.

Like the classic STALKER trilogy, STALKER 2 seems to emphasize scavenging for food, medical supplies, and ammunition, and while it wasn’t in the deep dive, I wouldn’t be surprised if ammo was scarce to some degree like it was in the original titles. GSC noted that it’s made an effort to ensure mistakes and poor decisions have somewhat  lasting consequences, encouraging players to consider their movement, positioning, and moment-to-moment decision-making carefully. Whatwon’tbe scarce, though, are weapon choices, with 35 different firearms confirmed — each with a wide variety of compatible attachments.

Get the Windows Central Newsletter

Get the Windows Central Newsletter

All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.

It was also revealed that STALKER 2’s story will feature three full hours of mo-capped cutscenes, with over 43 cinematics in total. These will accompany some of the biggest moments in the narrative, and will help players get to know many of the game’s major characters better as they progress. The showcase then concluded with the developers talking about some of the challenges they’ve faced creating the game as a Ukrainian studio, working to realize the growing ambition of their vision amidst Russia’s war of aggression against and invasion of their homeland that began in 2022.

Analysis: STALKER 2 is looking fantastic

As a huge fan of the original STALKER games, I’ve been looking forward to a deep dive like this for a while now, and now that we’ve finally gotten one, I’ve gotta say: STALKER 2 is lookingfantastic. The shooting and UI seems a bit more arcadey than I’d like, and I was hoping to get a look at theconfirmed"A-Life 2.0" system that will dictate how stalker NPCs move around The Zone and interact with each other, but overall, I’m very happy with almost everything I saw and heard.

What GSC Game World has managed to craft in the face of overwhelming odds is nothing short of amazing, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the full game later this year. For more on what it’s like to play it, don’t missour STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl hands-on previewfrom my colleague Zachary Boddy, who had the chance to play it when they went toSummer Games Fest 2024and theXbox Games Showcase 2024.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store on November 20, and looks to be one of this year’sbest Xbox gamesandbest PC games. It has a $59.99 MSRP, but notably, you can preorder it with a significant discount at CDKeys right now. On day one, you’ll also be able to play it through Xbox Game Pass,PC Game Pass, andXbox Game Pass Ultimate.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl | $35.69 at CDKeys (PC, Steam)

Survive The Zone’s glory and horror in the first new STALKER game since 2009’s Call of Pripyat. Built using Unreal Engine 5, STALKER 2 will tap into the series' classic gameplay elements and atmosphere using the latest and greatest tech available. It’s scheduled to launch on November 20, but is available to preorder now.

Also at:Amazon (Xbox, $59.99)|GMG (PC, Steam, $59.99)|GOG (PC, $59.99)

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. He’s been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you’ll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he’s not writing or gaming, there’s a good chance he’s either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once.Follow him on X(Twitter).