STALKER 2 (stylized as S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2) is set to transport players back into the radioactive wasteland of the Zone — so here’s all we know about its release date, platform details, and trailers.
The series’ plot centers around the infamous Chornobyl Disaster of 1986, where on April 26, the nuclear reactor near Pripyat, Ukraine melted down, resulting in one of the worst nuclear disasters in human history.
In the alternate timeline of Stalker, the exclusion zone around Chornobyl, commonly known as “The Zone,” experienced another explosion 20 years later in 2006. This was after scientists set up shop to study the anomalies and other phenomena happening within the disaster’s radius.
This not-so-deserted nuclear wasteland left in the wake of these events sets the stage for Stalker 2, where The Zone is looking more beautiful, deadly, and desolate than ever.
Stalker 2 release date
Stalker 2 will be released on November 20, 2024. Previously set to launch on September 5, 2024, a delay was announced on July 25, 2024. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the developers shared that the additional two months will give them ‘the chance to fix more “unexpected anomalies” (or simply “bugs”.)’
Prior to this, Stalker 2 was originally meant to launch on April 28, 2022, but was delayed soon after until December 8, 2022. However, it was then postponed indefinitely after the Ukraine conflict, where the developer is based.
The developers confirmed this news on X, explaining that the game needs more time for it to be up to standard.
In March 2022, GSC Game World, the game’s Kyiv-based developers, said that work on Stalker 2 had “shifted to the sidelines” due to world events. Then in a Discord chat in May 2022, the team confirmed that work on the game had resumed when responding to a question from a fan.
The next update came from an official fact sheet from Gamescom 2023. According to the sheet in question, the sequel would hit PC and Xbox platforms in Q1 2024. It was then revealed that a September release date had been settled on, before arriving at its November date.
Platforms
Stalker 2 will be available on PC through Steam, the Epic Games store, and the Xbox Series X|S where it will launch as a Day One Game Pass title.
Unfortunately for PlayStation players, the title will not be out on Playstation 5 at release, and there’s no indication of when (or if) it will be coming out on Sony’s platform.
Trailers
E3 2021 gameplay trailer
During E3 2021’s Xbox presentation, we got our first good look at the upcoming game. The trailer opens the only way it should: with us sitting around the campfire, swapping stories with our fellow stalkers after another hard day in the Zone.
Through these flashbacks, we see the combat system, some loot, and even a few of the characters we’ll be running into during the game. It wouldn’t be a Stalker game without mutants, though, and we won’t directly spoil anything, but be ready for a peek at these monstrosities.
Xbox Games Showcase 2024 gameplay trailer
This was followed up in June 2024 with a longer trailer that came as part of another Xbox Showcase at Summer Game Fest.
It offered a much more substantial look at the bleak world the game brings to life and gunplay across a vast array of weapon types.
Pre-orders & editions
There are a total of seven versions of Stalker 2 available to pre-order with four being physical, and three digital. We’ve got details about each one below.
Physical Editions
Standard – $69.99
The standard physical edition includes some pre-order bonuses and physical goodies:
- Base game
- Standard edition Digital content + pre-order bonus (Extended Campfire content, Exclusive weapon skin, ‘Early Bird’ multiplayer badge.
- Letter from the developers
- Souvenir Zone Permit
- Sticker Page
Limited Edition – $79.99
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The Limited edition comes with everything in the Standard physical version of the game, and some additional physical items, these are:
- Zone map
- Poster
- Faction Patches
- Military Token
- Keychain (Multi-tool with fire starter)
Collector’s Edition – $179.99
The Collector’s version comes with everything in the Limited and Standard editions of Stalker 2 and the following:
- Physical Art Book
- Stalker Figurine
- Steelbook (Collector’s Art)
Ultimate – $349.99
Finally, the physical Ultimate Edition comes with everything in the Collector’s version of Stalker 2 and a couple of final physical goods:
- Steelbook (Ultimate Art)
- Artefact Container Lamp
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R Backpack
Digital Editions
Standard – $59.99
The standard digital edition includes the base game, Extended Campfire content, an Exclusive weapon skin, and the ‘Early Bird’ multiplayer badge.
Digital Deluxe – $75.99
Digital deluxe includes everything in the Standard edition and the following:
- Special extra quest
- Digital artbook
- Official soundtrack
- 1 costume, 3 weapon skins for the single-player campaign
- 2 costumes, 3 weapon skins for the free multiplayer expansion
Ultimate – $99.99
Finally, the Ultimate edition includes everything in the Digital deluxe release, as well as access to:
- 2 story expansions
- Season Pass
Gameplay showcase
On August 13, 2024, a Stalker 2 Developer Deep Dive was shared on YouTube. The 35-minute video features members of the creative team discussing the different aspects of the sequel, including its seamless open world which will feature 20 different regions. The amount of freedom in the game was also emphasized, as was the importance of player choice.
According to creative director, Mariia Grygorovych, you won’t be able to see all the game’s content in a single playthrough as the decisions you make will impact the story, quests, and people you can meet.
The majority of the footage took place in The Swamp environment where protagonist, Skif, embarked on a quest to reach the Clear Sky base which is home to one of the in-game factions.
You can check out the full showcase below:
What is Stalker 2 about?
Stalker 2 looks to have taken everything about the original release and made it bigger. The story is non-linear, with players able to decide the fate of The Zone via their actions in-game. The sequel takes place twenty years after the Chornobyl disaster, as activity in the area seems to be worsening.
Players take control of the enigmatic Stalker Skif, with many factions likely to return this time around. Duty, Clear Sky, Freedom, and The Bandits are all set to make their return, though how significant their roles will be is unclear.
Now you’re up to date on all things Stalker 2, for more on the latest upcoming games, check out our hubs for GTA 6, Assasin’s Creed Shadows, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Mafia: The Old Country, and Borderlands 4.
