Game journalists started sharing their early impressions of STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl after getting hands-on time with a demo. Initial previews appeared on the official Xbox blog and in PC Gamer, setting the tone for what players might expect from the upcoming title.
The demo runs for a brief 15 minutes, yet reviewers found plenty to talk about. The opening sequence, where Skiff awakens in a vast irradiated field, grabbed attention and sparked commentary on atmosphere, pacing, and tone.
I lie unconscious in an irradiated field full of anomalies. But something else is trying to kill me. My character finally opens her eyes and I see her, a mutant dog chewing on her leg. The hero pulls out a gun. Jammed. The dog rushes to the neck. My character fights tooth and nail and eventually pushes her into a gravity drift. The dog is thrown into the air and ripped to death. Life in the zone is tough.
Both previews highlighted a side quest that involves delivering first aid kits to local residents. The mission showed promise, but a misstep occurred when the tester accidentally opened fire on a friendly character defending themselves from dogs, underscoring how unpredictability can shape player choices in this world.
The PC Gamer write-up praised the quest system as a standout feature, describing the on-screen style compass as a Skyrim-like aid that marks the nearest missions and the distance to them. They also noted the game’s challenging combat, with enemies dealing heavy damage and using smart tactics to trap players. The overall visual presentation of the Zone was lauded, especially the moment when the game’s aesthetic peaked during a skyward eruption, contrasting starkly against the gray, concrete-formed ruins and the somber mood of the post-apocalyptic setting. The sample shown at the end of the demo reportedly displayed the game’s strongest visual moment to date, blending environmental storytelling with Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities.
Another PC Gamer assessment described a sense of impending danger as the demonstration approached its conclusion, with the sky transforming to a red glow and a public address warning of an eruption. The tester chose to linger near a hideout at the demo’s end, admiring the apocalyptic atmosphere before the sequence concluded. Overall, the impression was that STALKER 2 leverages its setting to deliver a memorable, atmospheric experience rather than merely showcasing technical prowess.
Plans for a full presentation of STALKER 2 were anticipated to unfold later that night, with expectations that attendees would witness additional progression through the demo and share deeper insights into the gameplay loop and world-building components.
Previously, developers had suggested a potential delay to the first quarter of 2024 for the game’s release. The title is planned for PC and Xbox Series X|S, aligning with publishers’ broader cross‑platform strategy for the franchise.
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Source: VG Times