A detailed review roundup for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, showcasing what critics think about GSC Game World’s long-awaited survival horror sequel.
After years of anticipation, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is finally here. Developed by GSC Game World and released on November 20, 2024, the game plunges players back into the eerie, dangerous Zone around the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
Known for its atmospheric survival horror and immersive storytelling, this sequel has faced a turbulent development cycle, including delays. But now that it’s out, how does it hold up? Critics are weighing in, and the consensus highlights both its triumphs and shortcomings.
Early reviews for Stalker 2 highlight its gripping atmosphere, detailed world-building, and intense survival gameplay that stays true to the series’ roots. However, with a Metacritic score of 76 and an OpenCritic score of 77 at the time of writing, opinions are divided.
While many praise the immersive environment, critics have pointed out issues like technical bugs, inconsistent AI behavior, and performance issues.
Stalker 2 Reviews: What Critics Are Saying
Here’s a complete list of the latest Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl reviews from major gaming outlets.
Hardcore Gamer (5/5)
“Stalker 2 is nothing short of a miracle. Developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World over the course of seven years amid a pandemic and a war — among many other challenges — Stalker 2 is a labor of love and the best type of sequel one could hope for. While many long-running franchises have strayed from their roots in an (often misguided) attempt to appeal to as many players as possible, Stalker 2 knows its core audience well and delivers exactly the type of game we were hoping for.”
VGC (2/5)
“Stalker 2 could be a great game in a few years, but what’s presented at launch is a technical mess that doesn’t capitalise on its best ideas. Compelling side stories and a brilliant setting do a lot of the heavy lifting, but at launch Stalker 2 isn’t an adventure we’d fully recommend embarking on.”
Dexerto (3/5)
“Sure, it’s not perfect, and those who haven’t enjoyed Stalker games before will likely not enjoy this one – but those who adore the franchise will find hundreds of enjoyable hours to sink into this radioactive land.”
PC Gamer (83/100)
“Just like in the old days, performance issues and bugs don’t stop Stalker’s mad, wonderful heart from shining through.”
Gaming Bolt (9/10)
“S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl masterfully combines multiple genres to deliver an unmissable and entirely open world horror experience. Touting unparalleled emergent gameplay, stellar atmosphere, a captivating story, and gorgeous visuals, this is easily one of the best games available on Xbox Series X/S, even with the technical issues that hamper it.”
XboxEra (8.4/10)
“After a tumultuous dev cycle, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 shines despite some rough edges.”
GameSpot (8/10)
“Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is rough around the edges, but its propensity for creating emergent moments in a deadly and alluring world makes this trip back to the Zone a fraught and compelling experience”
DualShockers (7/10)
“As it stands now, STALKER 2 is fun and has a lot of potential, but it would be unfair to call it good. You can easily sink 100 hours into it without noticing, especially if you have a deep love for previous iterations. However, the performance issues, overall inconsistency in many areas, and clumsy presentation will hold this game back until a major overhaul comes.”
GamesRadar+ (60/100)
“For fans of hardcore shooters or punishing post-apocalypse games, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is truly incomparable. Unfortunately, due to a litany of bugs, it’s the greatest game you shouldn’t play right now. Give it some time, and this will be one of the best survival experiences you’ll ever play – but until then, only the series’ biggest fans should take the plunge.”
Windows Central (4/5)
“STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl stands tall as one of the most captivating open-world shooters I’ve ever played, with a palpable atmosphere and deeply rewarding exploration that kept me glued to my seat along with addictively intense and dynamic action that kept me on the edge of it. Some major issues with certain mutant encounters and noteworthy bugs and performance snags take away from the experience, but even so, The Zone will engross you with its haunting wonders. There’s truly nothing else like it.”
Game Rant (9/10)
“Overall, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is truly something special. It’s not perfect, but it manages to succeed in some major areas that many other games fall short in. Its open world is one of the best I’ve been in for quite some time, but its morally gray choice-driven narrative is also something worth writing home about, with the immense amount of player power it offers.”
Press Start (6.5/10)
“S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an achievement for so many reasons. As well as being the little game that could, given the team’s real-world challenges, the game doubles down on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. way, delivering a sublimely realised sense of place with the Zone. Unfortunately, so much of the console experience is rendered so disappointingly undercooked.”
What are your thoughts on Stalker 2? Let us know in the comments below!
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl goes live later today on Xbox and PC.
