Stalker 2 was chosen as the most desired game by a panel of experts appointed for the first ever PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted in 2023. I wasn’t one of those experts, but Stalker 2 is definitely at the top of my most anticipated games list, so I was very excited to finally get to see an extended portion of the game in a up-to-date 35-minute video consisting mostly of gameplay, released today by developer GSC Game World.
It’s the most in-depth look at Stalker 2 we’ve had to date, covering everything from a broad overview of the sequel to specific aspects of development. Most notably, there’s a near-complete look at one of the game’s missions: access to an abandoned Clear Sky base, one of the game’s factions.
It didn’t hit me right away, but as the mission progressed I thought to myself: damn, this looks really familiar—which turned out to be a good decision on my part, since the mission takes place in the Swamp, a location featured in Stalker: Clear Sky.
GSC Game World wants to make sure players get an “authentic” Stalker experience in the up-to-date game, and I’m content to say that — as far as I’m concerned — that means two things: the freedom to explore the game world however you see fit, regardless of the story, and that Stalker 2 won’t be afraid to kick your ass if you get too caught up.
“We didn’t want the game to be easy for the player, because we believe that would kill the grip on reality,” Stalker 2 director Ievgen Grygorovych says in the video. “If the player can make mistakes easily, can’t die, can’t regenerate health points… no, that’s not the Stalker experience.”
“It’s very similar to diving,” says Ingwar Dovgoteles, the head of the film team, using a terrifying yet strangely appealing analogy. “The first meters are bright and stunning, and the Zone doesn’t seem so scary. But the deeper we dive, the colder and darker it gets.
“We start to hear our hearts beating hard and loud. The immersion doesn’t end. At some point we’ll realize there’s no way back. We’re too deep. All we can do is continue diving through the cold darkness under extreme pressure. The chances of survival are slim. The only hope for a miracle is deep in the abyss.”
The other good news in this video is that the November release date is still in place. The game has been delayed multiple times, most recently in Julywhen the “final release date” of September 5 was pushed to November 20. With GSC Game World apparently ready to show off the game in earnest, that date now seems certain. I’ll be there.
