This popular Game Pass Xbox exclusive is coming to PS5 this year — the devs announced it in the coolest way possible

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Both Microsoft (the creator of Xbox) and Sony (the publisher of PlayStation) have a variety of games exclusive to their consoles, not counting PC releases. However, not all exclusives are permanent or developed in-house by the companies themselves. These third-party, time-limited exclusives often migrate to platforms that compete with their original release. On Wednesday, it was disclosed that this will be the case for STALKER 2, which is scheduled to arrive on PS5 later this year.

Despite receiving assistance from Xbox and Microsoft in creating the eagerly awaited open-world survival shooter sequel, developer GSC Game World doesn’t own the game due to their involvement. Consequently, they were able to publish it on PlayStation once the timed exclusivity period expired. Currently, the studio intends to transfer STALKER 2 to PS5 around late 2025.

The news arrived in the form of an extraordinarily exciting game trailer (which you can view below). In this minute-long clip, Colonel Korshunov – a recurring character in the game’s narrative – is depicted playing STALKER 2 as if he were a soldier conversing with him. “This had better be crucial; I’m deeply engaged in a critical mission,” he says, taking down a group of outlaws while trying to listen to the soldier who is warning him that his men are being transformed into zombies.

In due course, Korshunov rises and angrily departs to handle matters, and in a comical turn of events, the soldier takes his seat and begins playing the console himself, grumbling “I thought he’d never leave.” Notably, when he grabbed the controller that belonged to the colonel, it turned out to be a PlayStation DualShock gamepad. The Zone indicated it was my turn on the PlayStation.

This trailer is both remarkably cheesy yet intriguing, standing out particularly because it features an in-engine cutscene from the STALKER 2 game. Although GSC isn’t pioneering this creative approach for the first time, it remains my preferred teaser they’ve released so far.

2024 saw STALKER 2 as one of the most anticipated games, marking a significant moment for both Xbox and Microsoft’s subscription service, Xbox Game Pass. The game debuted on Xbox Game Pass on its release date, making it accessible to play through the program on Xbox Series X|S consoles, PC via the Xbox app (PC Game Pass), or even with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Xbox Game Pass Ultimate). Moreover, it can be purchased directly from Xbox, the Xbox PC app, Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG.

Initially, upon its release, I found myself utterly enthralled by The Zone unlike any other open-world game. It was a captivating blend of a tangible ambiance and immensely gratifying exploration that held my attention firmly in place. Additionally, the action was incredibly engaging, delivering an addictively intense and dynamic experience that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Absolutely, it’s a fantastic follow-up to the STALKER trilogy from the late 2000s, which I grew fond of years ago, and it just keeps getting better with regular updates from the developers. The recent Patch 1.5, for instance, introduced significant AI improvements that make NPCs and mutants in the open world more engaging and immersive to interact with. Additionally, two paid DLC expansions and a multiplayer mode are planned for the game in the future.

In essence, this upcoming game is worth looking forward to by PlayStation 5 users, and I advise adding it to your wishlist on the PlayStation Store for release notifications. Additionally, followers are advised to keep a close eye on social media updates from the creators for information about the launch date. It’s important to note that the game listing indicates it will offer PS5 Pro enhancements, so if you own that high-end console, you can anticipate these upgrades.

If you can’t wait for the PS5 launch and already have an Xbox or PC, consider these deals during Amazon Prime Day instead of relying on Game Pass to play STALKER 2. You can grab a physical Xbox edition priced at just $23.40 (from the original $60) on Amazon. Alternatively, the digital Steam copy is now available for only $34.69, which was originally $51.59, at CDKeys.

If you’re a fan of Xbox and feeling down about the loss of an exclusive shooter game, don’t worry! In just a few weeks, you’ll have Helldivers 2 to look forward to on your console. Enjoy!

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2025-07-10 01:09