The release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl was highly anticipated by many gamers. First, it’s a major title launching directly on Game Pass. Second, it carries the distinctive atmosphere that made the original so memorable. While the first game was far from perfect, fans were willing to overlook its flaws for the sake of its unique charm.

Now, with the first STALKER 2 reviews in, the reception is... not as glowing as GSC Game World might have hoped. On Metacritic, the game has received a score of 74 out of 100, a middling result for a blockbuster release. So, what did critics praise, and what fell short?

Table of Content
  1. What Critics Loved in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl?
  2. What Fell Short in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl?
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What Critics Loved in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl?

  • Atmosphere: The portrayal of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone was universally praised for its captivating and tense environment, making every corner worth exploring.
  • Dynamic Open World: Featuring 20 interconnected regions with no loading screens, the world is full of surprises and encourages thorough exploration.
  • Combat and Survival Realism: Critics appreciated the realistic approach to combat and survival mechanics, alongside the rewarding exploration system and attention to detail.
  • Impactful Choices: Side missions and player decisions significantly influence both the narrative and gameplay, adding depth to the experience.
  • Challenge: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is regarded as a genuinely challenging game, a rarity among recent major releases.

What Fell Short in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl?

  • Enemy AI: Many critics noted that the AI suffers from significant shortcomings, making engagements less dynamic and sometimes frustrating.
  • Repetitive Combat: Battles, particularly against monsters, were described as monotonous due to balance issues.
  • Technical Problems: Numerous bugs, performance drops, and general polish issues were highlighted, detracting from the experience.
  • Story Weaknesses: While engaging at times, the story was criticized for being underdeveloped and lacking a strong narrative core.

The consensus is that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is an intriguing but flawed experience. While it delivers on atmosphere, world design, and survival elements, significant technical issues and AI problems hinder its potential. It’s not the disaster Cyberpunk 2077 was at launch, but based on early gameplay footage and reports, waiting for the first hotfixes might be a wise choice.

Main image: steampowered.com