The developers of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl have released the first PC patch, addressing more than 650 known issues, according to a report from the DTF portal. This initial update marks a significant step toward stabilizing the experience on PC as players revisit the irradiated landscapes, tense factions, and harsh environments that define the game’s world. The patch notes reveal a broad sweep of fixes aimed at improving what players encounter during exploration, combat, and story progression, all aimed at delivering a smoother and more reliable journey through the post apocalyptic setting.
At present, version 1.0.1 is available for PC only. The Xbox Series X and Series S edition is planned to follow later in the year, with the developers signaling a release window designed to bring console players into alignment with the PC improvements. The full list of fixes is published on the game’s Steam page, where the team lays out the changes in detail for players who want to understand precisely what has changed and why it matters for ongoing play and future sessions.
Among the main changes, GSC Game World describes a comprehensive effort to enhance gameplay. The update addresses more than 20 AI related issues that previously affected how characters and enemies behaved, resolves nearly 100 crashes that could force an exit from the game or disrupt a session, and fixes about 20 bugs that could interrupt cutscenes, dialogue sequences, or key cinematic moments. The overarching goal is to deliver a more predictable and satisfying experience across missions, side activities, and the open world segments that drive exploration and player discovery.
In addition to the bug fixes, the patch introduces balance adjustments intended to affect player progression and resource management. Repair costs have been reduced to ease the burden on inventories and budgets, cash rewards have been increased to better reflect risk and effort spent in difficult areas, and the protective power of armor has been augmented to improve survivability against tougher encounters. Some creatures also received updates to their traits and behaviors, aiming to create a more cohesive and emergent world where encounters feel more varied and rewards align with player choice and strategy.
The studio emphasizes ongoing work to improve the game, with a clear focus on refining the A-Life open world artificial intelligence system. Future patches are expected to continue addressing bugs, tweaking balance, and enhancing stability so players across PC and consoles can enjoy a more polished STALKER 2 experience. The continual development reflects a commitment to evolving the title beyond its initial launch, with adjustments that respond to player feedback and test results in the months ahead. Earlier reports noted that a free analogue of a popular PlayStation game would be released in China, a reminder that the broader gaming landscape often sees parallel developments that influence how players perceive new releases and updates in different regions.