S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has finally arrived on PlayStation 5 and includes all the updates and improvements, including the latest 1.7 patch.
After a year of Xbox and PC exclusivity, GSC Game World‘s atmospheric post-apocalyptic shooter has landed on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro today, bringing with it a massive update that aims to improve the experience across all platforms.
PS5 Gets the Full Treatment and Exclusive Features
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 on Sony’s console takes full advantage of the DualSense controller with adaptive triggers that react to weapon feedback, haptic rumbles when anomalies get close, and gyro aiming for precision shooting.
It also utilises Tempest 3D Audio to make the Zone’s eerie soundscape properly immersive, whilst the PS5 Pro version in particular is enhanced with better global illumination, improved reflections, and volumetric fog for noticeably better visuals.
GSC Game World
Stalker 2 on PlayStation 5
Update 1.7 Brings Major Improvements
The real story here is the massive 1.7 update launching simultaneously across all platforms. The A-Life system – the Zone’s dynamic ecosystem – has received a major overhaul. NPCs and mutants now actively fight for territory, meaning checkpoints and points of interest are constantly contested. Return to a location you cleared yesterday, and you might find it’s changed hands entirely.
There’s also a brutal new Master Difficulty mode for masochists, featuring no autosaves, disabled manual saves (progress only records when leaving hubs or hitting story beats), and punishing balance tweaks. The inventory UI has been redesigned too, consumables and artefacts now have five quality tiers instead of three, and there’s a new radiation balance system to manage.
GSC Game World
Stalker 2 on PS5
Perhaps most interestingly, the stamina system now distinguishes between walking, jogging, and sprinting, whilst necking too many energy drinks causes hand tremor and aiming penalties. Realistic? Absolutely. Fun when a bloodsucker’s charging at you? We’ll see.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is available now on PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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