Don’t have the hardware to run STALKER 2? Play one of my favorite indie games on your potato PC instead.

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What you need to know

  • STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl launches on Xbox and PC on November 20, 2024.
  • Recommended PC system requirements are not lenient, with recommended RTX 4070/RX 6800 XT GPUs and Ryzen 7 5800X/Core i7-11700 CPUs.
  • The latest system requirements are provided with TSR, DLSS, FSR, and XeSS upscaling tech considered, leading many gamers to worry about performance.
  • Zero Sievert is one of my favorite games that recently got a 1.0 release, and it’ll run on practically any PC.

As someone who remembers the struggle of running STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl back in 2007 on a less-than-powerful PC, I find myself both excited and apprehensive about STALKER 2’s launch in 2024. The original game was a unique experience that still holds up, despite its technical limitations. However, the news that the recommended system requirements for STALKER 2 are quite demanding has me worried.

Back in 2007, STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl debuted, and unfortunately, my computer back then wasn’t powerful enough to handle its performance needs. I vividly remember spending countless hours battling my way through that eerie setting at just around 10 frames per second.

17 years have passed since I last played the original STALKER and its sequels, but I occasionally return to them, now enhanced with numerous mods. It offers an unparalleled gaming experience that I continue to cherish. Naturally, I’ve been closely watching the turbulent development of STALKER 2. The game is slated for release on PC and Xbox on November 20, 2024, and much like its predecessor, it promises to demand significant computational power to run smoothly.

Will your PC be able to run STALKER 2?

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Recently, GSC Game World, the developer behind STALKER 2, revised the PC system requirements for the game. The fact that the recommended specifications rely on advanced upscaling technologies such as DLSS, TSR, and FSR has many PC gamers (including me) questioning if the game will run smoothly on their systems.

To enjoy a gameplay experience at 1440p resolution with a smooth 60 frames per second, GSC Game World advises using either an Intel Core i7-11700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor (CPU). Additionally, they recommend having at least an NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti or RTX 4070 graphics card, while for AMD users, a Radeon RX 6800 XT is suggested. Your system should also include a minimum of 32GB of RAM. This setup is ideal when using TSR, DLSS, FSR, or XeSS technologies.

These are not exactly lenient specs, and even playing at 1080p with 60 FPS will tax many systems. You’ll want at least an Intel Core i7-9700K/AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU, with RTX 2070 Super, RTX 4060, and Radeon RX 5700 XT GPUs listed. Memory requirement is pegged at 16GB. These specs are given with the assumption that you have TSR enabled.

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One advantage of STALKER 2 being available on PC Game Pass on release day is that numerous players can try out the game on their computers without having to spend a large amount initially. In case Steam is not compatible with your system, they are well-known for handling refunds swiftly.

If STALKER 2 doesn’t perform well on your current PC setup, you could revisit the original STALKER and its impressive mods as an alternative. Additionally, consider upgrading your system or opting for a high-performance pre-built gaming PC. However, there exists another game that can run smoothly on any hardware, and it has just launched its 1.0 version.

ZERO Sievert can deliver the same STALKER feel, and it’ll run on any system

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Back in November 2022, ZERO Sievert entered Steam’s Early Access phase. Exactly two years later, on October 23, 2024, it officially launched as a full release. Currently, it boasts a highly favorable rating of “Very Positive” on Steam, with over 11,000 reviews. From what I understand, this game was single-handedly developed by one individual, Luca Carbonera, which makes its success even more remarkable.

Although Stalker 2 boasts the breathtaking, lifelike graphics of UE5, Zero Sievert lacks this feature but still manages to be thrilling with its retro top-down pixelated design. It may not have high-definition visuals, yet it’s jam-packed with detail in each frame, and the gun sounds are authentic. Moreover, the enemy AI is ruthless and challenging.

This game is often labeled as a blend of STALKER and Escape from Tarkov, incorporating extraction shooter aspects with elements of supernatural mysteries, extensive weapon customization, intense resource gathering and survival, base construction, crafting, multiple rival groups, diverse settings, and challenging playstyle. Each session offers a unique experience due to its procedurally generated map layouts, making it the kind of game where you might find yourself saying “just one more run” up to ten times before closing it at daybreak.

Recommended system requirements include a 1.7GHz dual-core CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a GTX 260 GPU. You should easily get by with integrated graphics from even a semi-recent Intel or AMD CPU. ZERO Sievert is also Steam Deck verified, and I can attest that it runs without issue on gaming handhelds.

Currently, as I’m typing this, you can find ZERO Sievert available for approximately $19 at CDKeys. This price point makes it significantly less expensive than STALKER 2. If you’re looking to experience a similar atmosphere without overheating your PC, ZERO Sievert is a convenient suggestion for you.

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2024-11-19 19:09