Gaming outlets have published their final previews of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which is set to release on November 20, 2024. Reviewers shared their impressions after playing the shooter for several hours.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 leaves a great first impression, as noted by journalists. The shooter quickly immerses players into the action, engaging them instantly with its story and tense gameplay. The game reveals its full potential once players gain access to the open world, which happens fairly early on. 

The Heart of Chornobyl is tough and even hardcore, reviewers agreed. Many admitted to dying multiple times in various ways: in shootouts with bandits, from attacks by radioactive dogs, after discovering strange anomalies in caves, or stepping on mines, among other causes.

Reviewers appreciated S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2's dark atmosphere and sense of hopelessness. Death is always close, and resources are scarce, making every successful action feel like a small victory. The survival mechanics in the game are well-implemented and directly affect the player's character's stats. Players will need to bandage wounds, manage hunger, and monitor other parameters, or face consequences like reduced accuracy.

Journalists highlighted its beautiful, highly-detailed graphics, noting the careful attention given to the environment, character models, textures, and animations. However, the demo version played by reviewers did contain technical problems. While developers are actively working on polishing the game, journalists warned that players should still expect some bugs.

Main image: steampowered.com

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