When it comes to post-apocalyptic survival games, the Metro and Fallout series are the first ones that come to mind. In both of these series, a nuclear bomb detonates, and then we witness the story of those who survived in shelters. Although not as popular as these two, the Stalker series is also of the same genre and quality. Moreover, the second installment is coming very soon. However, there’s some sad news.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl has quietly been delayed
According to the developer GSC Game World, the game has been pushed from 2023 to the beginning of 2024. Among the latest details provided by GSC Game World about the upcoming shooter game, it’s stated that the game will be released on PC and Xbox Series X/S in the first quarter of 2024.
Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the game’s release, initially expected in 2023, has been postponed. The release date had been uncertain until recently, and there were rumors that it would be released in early December.
While there’s no exact release date provided, the first quarter of the year generally refers to a timeframe between January and March. However, game development is a complicated matter, so this situation can change at any moment.
Alongside the delay, some important points about the game are highlighted in the provided information:
“A first-person shooter that combines immersive simulation and horror genres, set in a post-apocalyptic dark science-fiction environment in Ukraine, featuring a branching cinematic story and groundbreaking graphics supported by Unreal Engine 5.”
Considering the conditions under which GSC Game World had to move to Prague to continue developing Stalker 2, this delay is certainly understandable. Additionally, a purported attack by a group of hackers on a Russian social network earlier this year added to the already stressful situation for the developers.
The game was initially announced in 2010 but was later canceled, GSC Game World disbanded, and then reformed to announce once again that Stalker 2 was in development in 2018. It was originally expected to release in 2021, but the combination of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s continued occupation required more time.
When Stalker 2 is released, it will be available on PC and Xbox Series X/S and will be accessible on Game Pass on the first day. What are your thoughts? Please remember to share your opinions in the comments.