STALKER 2 reviews and Metacritic score roundup: Does GSC’s open-world sequel live up to the hype?

STALKER 2 reviews and Metacritic score roundup: Does GSC's open-world sequel live up to the hype?

As a long-time fan of the STALKER series and someone who has closely followed its development for over a decade, I must admit that my anticipation for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl was bordering on unhealthy levels of excitement. The game’s tumultuous journey from inception to release, fraught with delays and setbacks, only served to fuel my enthusiasm even further.


Finally, after a 14-year wait, we’re now ready to experience STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Resurrected in 2018 and initially scheduled for 2022 release, but postponed until later this year due to the Russian conflict in Ukraine, the highly anticipated hardcore open-world FPS is finally here. As I type this on its launch day, just moments before it hits Xbox and Windows PCs, a flood of reviews have been published online following the lifting of the review embargo.

Following extensive reading of various reviews, it appears that most critics concur that STALKER 2’s open-world exploration, action, and survival aspects are effectively implemented. However, it’s important to mention that the game, similar to its predecessors in the STALKER series, has developed a reputation for having some technical issues. It’s noteworthy that the developer, GSC Game World, has been consistently updating the review build before the shooter’s release, and a day one patch is being released today as well. Some critics have expressed concerns about certain problems in the combat and open-world design, but these issues generally seem to be relatively minor.

In case you didn’t know, I’ve written a review for STALKER 2 over at Windows Central. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars (or 80%). Here’s my take: this game is incredibly engrossing, one of the best open-world shooters I’ve ever experienced. It has an immersive atmosphere and exploration that kept me hooked, not to mention action that was both thrilling and dynamic.

STALKER 2 reviews and Metacritic score roundup: Does GSC's open-world sequel live up to the hype?

In my review, I expressed that the fact STALKER 2 exists at all speaks volumes about GSC’s determination. The team has had to create this game under conditions we can hardly fathom, with many of its members serving on the frontlines in Ukraine or working from their new headquarters in Prague after evacuating when Russia’s conflict started. I’m pleased to see that it’s receiving positive reviews overall, and I genuinely hope it brings success to this hard-pressed studio.

It’s exciting to anticipate how well this game will fare during its initial release days, given that it’s almost here. Even before its launch, it has demonstrated a strong likelihood of becoming the next major success. For quite some time now, it has been the fourth most-wished-for game on Steam, and at present, it also tops Steam’s list of top sellers.

The highly anticipated game “STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl” is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. This year, it’s been ranked among the top Xbox games and top PC games. With a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $59.99, it’s worth noting that you can currently find a discount on it at CDKeys. Additionally, you can play it through Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

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2024-11-20 19:11