S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl free story content update launches December 16

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On December 16th, GSC Game World will release a free update for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. This update includes a new story with eight quests, seven new locations to explore, six new characters to meet, a new weapon, and a brand-new central hub.

Here is an overview of the update, via GSC Game World:

So What is This New Quest?

Okay, so things are getting seriously weird out by the Malachite, way over on the west side of the Zone. The scientists sent teams to check it out, and they started getting all kinds of interference on their PDAs – like a strange signal was blocking communications. But it’s not just static; anyone who listened to it – even us stalkers – started getting hit with awful headaches, nosebleeds, and some really messed up hallucinations. It’s definitely a spot to be careful around!

Professor Medulin saw everything happen firsthand. Though a skilled researcher, he lacked the radio expertise to understand the signal and what it meant. That’s when Banzai, a radio hobbyist, joined the investigation, but unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

You can often overhear emergency broadcasts throughout the Zone. Be especially careful when you’re in the Red Forest area, as from there on out, your instincts, good judgment, and decisions will determine how much further you go and what you discover.

Never Forget About Your Gear

No stalker embarks on an expedition unprepared. That’s where the new weapon comes in handy.

The GP37V2 is an upgraded version of the GP37 rifle, designed for experienced and skilled players.

This firearm comes with a suppressor already attached, as well as a scope for aiming. The trigger has been adjusted so it can only fire single shots or in short bursts.

While messing up with the GP37V2 can be costly, a skilled player will find it offers incredible accuracy and firepower. And don’t worry if it doesn’t suit your style – S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has over 30 other weapons, with plenty of attachments, so you’re sure to find something you love.

New Locations and Places

You’ll need to explore the world, gather resources, and stay alive as a bounty hunter. We highly recommend checking out the Fairy Tale Pioneer Camp and the Old Mine in Red Forest – they’re definitely worth visiting.

Okay, so if you’ve really explored the Zone – gone all over, north to south, east to west – you’ll notice some places you’ve already been are now populated with other stalkers. The main storyline will take me through spots like the Car Dump, the Army Warehouses, the City Boiler Room, the Rail Depot near Malachite, and finally, Volkhov SAM.

Sometimes, the decisions I make in the game send me down paths I never expected! I’ve learned to really rely on my gut feeling – it usually points me in the right direction and leads to some awesome discoveries.

New Hub in the Burnt Forest Region

In S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, your decisions have a real impact on the game world, actually changing the Zone itself. This is reflected in the new storyline, where your choices can lead to the creation of an entirely new hub location within the Burnt Forest, previously a sparsely populated area. You’ll find all sorts of people there – technicians, traders, medics, guides – and of course, a safe place to rest and store your items!

You can now play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It’s available for purchase on Steam, the Epic Games Store, GOG, and the Microsoft Store.

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2025-12-15 18:47