"Stalker 2" is cruel and relentless: critics published reviews of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

The post-apocalyptic shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has received the first reviews from the specialized press. Despite the general recognition of the project's uniqueness, critics' opinions are divided: some consider the game an exciting adventure in a post-apocalyptic world, while others point out its crudeness and numerous technical flaws.

On the Metacritic platform, the PC version of the game received 76 points out of 100. Users cannot rate it yet.

Critics emphasize that the game has retained the spirit of the previous installments in the series, offering the same hardcore and addictive gameplay. However, it has also inherited some drawbacks, including bugs: many journalists explicitly state that they lowered the rating due to the technical condition of the project.

Hardcore Gamer praised the game, emphasizing that he was impressed by the complexity and preservation of the project's spirit. The critic noted that it was a real miracle that GSC was able to create such a game in the face of war and pandemic.

"Stalker 2 is nothing short of a miracle. Developed by the Ukrainian studio GSC Game World over seven years in the midst of a pandemic and war - among many other challenges - Stalker 2 is a labor of love and the best kind of sequel one could hope for. While many long-standing franchises have strayed from their roots in an (often misguided) attempt to appeal to as many players as possible, Stalker 2 knows its core audience well and offers exactly the type of game we were hoping for," the review says.

Multiplayer.it writes that "contrary to all expectations, STALKER 2 has truly managed to revive the series without affecting its most important features or betraying its philosophy. By remaining itself, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 reaffirms its uniqueness."

SECTOR.sk notes that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is stunning in its visuals, while remaining true to its hardcore FPS roots. The game retains the unique features of the series, including challenging action, open locations, and a deep story. However, there are some drawbacks, including weaker animation and artificial intelligence.

At the same time, Dexerto notes that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is "brutal, relentless, and not for the faint of heart." Although its story is designed for new players, the gameplay itself offers a hardcore experience for those who are ready to dive into the Zone. Nevertheless, Stalker 2 is a game that, like wine, gets better, richer, and bolder over time as you play through its 35-hour campaign. However, performance issues and missing features leave a bit of a bitter taste."

At the same time, VGC gave the game a low rating: "Stalker 2 could be a great game in a few years, but what's presented at launch is a technical mess that doesn't utilize the best ideas."

The game also received a negative review from Digital trends. The publication writes that "after almost 15 years of waiting for the next main series, the game looks less like an innovative sequel and more like a world full of missed opportunities."

Video of the Ukrainian-language review with gameplay footage of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.

It is worth noting that in the credits of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, the developers added a meaningful message to make sure that every player in the world remembers who made this game possible. The reminder is presented in English, among other languages.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that this year's November 20 would go down in the history of the Ukrainian gaming industry. Today, the long-awaited release of the post-apocalyptic shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which was postponed several times, took place.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.