Stalker 2’s Expedition update brings A-Life improvements, harder difficulty options, and worsens bandits’ eyesight

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I recently started playing Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl again, and I already regret how it’s going! If I’d waited a few days, I could have started with the new Expedition update. This update changes a lot – difficulty, inventory management, enemy behavior, and even the game’s dynamic world system have all been improved.

The full details of Expedition, Update 1.7 for Stalker 2, are available on Steam. While Stalker 2 is already quite challenging, I probably won’t try the new Master difficulty. However, the Expedition modifier – which you can use when starting a new game on easier settings – sounds appealing. It restricts how often you can save and requires you to visit camps with other characters to record your progress, reminding me of the challenging Hardcore mode in Fallout 4. It’s a bit disappointing, though, that you can’t create a network of makeshift save points by laying down bedrolls across the map.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl — Expedition Showcase | Update 1.7

Okay, so the developers at GSC Game World are really doubling down on making the world of Stalker 2 feel alive. They’ve tweaked how the different groups – the bandits and stuff – control territory. Now, if one group gets beat in a fight, they’ll actually lose ground to their rivals! Even the mutants are getting involved in these turf wars, which is pretty cool. And finally, gunfights outside are feeling way more balanced. Enemies won’t be able to see you through bushes anymore, which means I can actually use stealth! I can hide in the tall grass and ambush enemies, which is a huge improvement since stealth wasn’t a big part of the game before. It’s a really cool change and makes the world feel much more dynamic.

The update also features an immersive experience that hides the on-screen display, a few new, less dangerous anomalies to discover, and an improved inventory screen with more detailed information about items and their effects. It’s fun that chugging energy drinks quickly now causes shaky aim – maybe the developers are subtly suggesting we drink water instead! Plus, many bugs have been fixed and the game runs a little smoother.

I’m glad there’s enough new content to justify starting another playthrough – it’s both a relief and a little frustrating. Honestly, I wasn’t really waiting for updates anyway. From the beginning, I found Stalker 2 to be a captivating exploration game with an incredibly immersive, creepy, post-apocalyptic world – you really feel like you’re surrounded by it. Creating that kind of atmosphere is difficult, especially considering everything that’s been happening – like the invasion of Ukraine and the issues with stolen game assets.

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2025-11-17 19:56