Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has had quite a journey since the game’s initial release, but despite technical issues and overcoming harsh real-world conditions throughout development, the game has generally been met with surprising success. In addition to two DLCs and a multiplayer game mode previously announced, following the game’s success, the development studio behind Stalker 2 has committed to continue supporting the game long after its release.
Beyond Stalker 2’s planned DLCs and future updates, the studio should consider another specific feature that could be a highly beneficial addition to the RPG, a new game plus. Such a feature could incentivize players to experience the full story and collect some of the best gear that players may have missed on their initial playthrough, overall helping to improve the game’s replayability while also allowing players to grow their arsenal in preparation for the upcoming PvP game modes. So, while there are still rough edges to address and big DLCs already planned for the game, Stalker 2 arguably needs a new game plus feature above all else.
The Case for a New Game Plus Feature in Stalker 2
Stalker 2’s Community Mods May Not Be a Permanent Solution
By now, there are already multiple community mods for Stalker 2 that players can use to achieve the effects of a new game plus, generally by nature starting a new playthrough with every item already unlocked. However, modding Stalker 2 might come with some unforeseen side effects when the game’s multiplayer game mode releases. Considering that some of Stalker 2’s PvP game modes will allow players to carry over items earned through the campaign, mods that let players directly spawn in weapons, armor, and other gear may be considered cheating.
Stalker 2’s PvP game modes will be available as a free update for all players. The release date for this update is currently unknown, though a roadmap for Stalker 2’s future updates is expected to be revealed in January 2025.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen how mods will affect Stalker 2’s upcoming PvP multiplayer, though it’s safe to assume that there may be some restrictions set in place to prevent players from cheating and/or using mods in multiplayer. Consequently, making a new game plus an official addition to Stalker 2 would be a much more ideal solution rather than relying on community mods that could potentially prevent players from participating in multiplayer game modes.
A New Game Plus Feature Could Improve Stalker 2’s Replayability
Another reason why a new game plus feature could be a great addition to Stalker 2 is to encourage players to fully experience the game’s story. Many branching questlines can lead to different endings in Stalker 2 depending on some of the choices players make throughout the game. Several side quests have different outcomes, so only playing one playthrough of the game means that players will naturally miss out on a lot of unique story moments.
Not only are there multiple endings that depend on players' choices throughout Stalker 2, but there are also some unique rewards tied to some of these quests that players can potentially miss. Since some of these unique weapons and armor sets in Stalker 2 will likely be transferable to the upcoming PvP multiplayer game mode, players who want to gain an upper hand against their opponents by having an expanded arsenal may want to consider playing multiple playthroughs to unlock these unique quest rewards. Hence, why a new game plus where players could retain their gear from past playthroughs would be a convenient way for players to take on the task of completing additional playthroughs of Stalker 2.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 75 /100 Critics Rec: 64%
- Released
- November 20, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- GSC Game World
- Publisher(s)
- GSC Game World
WHERE TO PLAY
Chornobyl Exclusion Zone has changed dramatically after the second massive explosion in the year 2006. Violent mutants, deadly anomalies, and warring factions have made the Zone a very tough place to survive.
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 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 of 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 BEHAVIOUR 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 behaviour less predictible. 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?
GOOD HUNTING, STALKER!
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, Open-World, Post-Apocalyptic, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 36 hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 144.75 GB
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
