Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a title that has has many fans of its predecessor on edge as they waited for it to release. However, GSC Game World’s latest addition to a franchise that has managed to withstand the test of time has drawn unfavorable comparisons to one of modern gaming’s most prolific titles since it hit the shelves.
While Cyberpunk 2077 may now be the experience that CD Projekt Red always envisioned it to be, things were not as rosy for the sprawling action RPG when it was released in December 2020. With numerous glitches and bugs ruining its gameplay, Cyberpunk 2077’s story might just be unfolding again with Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
Stalker 2 Is off to an Unfortunate Start
Fans of the Stalker franchise who were eagerly waiting for GSC Game World’s follow-up to 2009’s Stalker: Call of Prypiat were left disgruntled with multiple delays from the studio, although an unfortunate conflict with Russia was able to buy the Ukrainian studio some goodwill from its fans.
However, their excitement for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl was fuelled by a shift to Unreal Engine 5 for a title that would expand on the horrors presented to them in the previous game while adding innovative flourishes that would take the franchise to its future with current-gen hardware bringing the Zone’s monstrosities to life.
Early reviews of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl indicate that while the game does make excellent additions to its gameplay loop, several technical issues render those additions almost redundant considering how its many bugs and glitches adversely affect its gameplay loop.
Fans of GSC Game World’s previous work are understandably disappointed, even comparing the game to Cyberpunk 2077’s dismal launch state.
Stalker 2 is the most broken game since Cyberpunk 2077.
— Shirrako (@ShirrakoGaming) November 20, 2024
In fact, it's worse and playing it at launch feels like role-playing as a QA Tester.
I cannot recommend this game right now. pic.twitter.com/YpMBo13ZMB
While Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has found some support among those who have played it, it is clear that GSC has some work to do on a release that has been in the making for a very long time.
Pretty much.
— Shirrako (@ShirrakoGaming) November 20, 2024
I do think once polished, this will be the best Stalker game.
But right now it's game breaking bug after game breaking bug, the last two bosses I spent over 1hr fighting each because they would keep freezing in one place and you could not damage them, I had to…
It is still no too late for GSC Game World to fix the issues that currently prevent Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl from being the rewarding yet terrifying experience that its fans certainly deserve after waiting all these years and the studio will hope to emulate Cyberpunk 2077’s success as it takes on the task of refining its latest release.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, head on over to check out how Ubisoft is making an effort to fix one of its biggest releases of 2024 or take a first look at Seth Rogan’s latest new project if Films and TV are more your thing.
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With a passion for gaming that is equaled only by his love for writing, Varun has either a controller, keyboard, or a guitar in his hands when he is not out exploring the middle of nowhere on a motorcycle. Soulslikes, RPGs, and action-adventure titles keep him awake at night and get him out of bed in the morning. He will never stop lamenting the lack of a Bloodborne sequel even as he spends another couple of hours exploring the Lands Between in Elden Ring.
