Days before its PS5 release, this Xbox exclusive just got a huge update — here are the patch notes (and why I'm jumping back in)

For survival and FPS fans alike, one of the biggest games of 2024 was STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl — GSC Game World's ambitious and highly anticipated sequel to the original trilogy of STALKER games from the 2000s. The title launched with positive reviews across Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, and has been improved substantially over time with consistent updates from the developer.

STALKER 2 was available on Xbox Game Pass for nearly an entire year after its release, though it recently left the service — likely due to the fact it's imminently launching on PS5, and will soon no longer be an Xbox console exclusive. A few days ahead of its arrival on Sony's platform, though, it's gotten a massive new update.

That new patch is Update 1.7, or the "Expedition Update," named after one of the new modes it brings to the survival shooter alongside a huge collection of other tweaks, adjustments, and improvements. Notably, it comes about a month and a half after Update 1.6, which primarily focused on rebalancing combat and implementing night vision goggles to the sandbox.

You can read the full patch notes for STALKER 2's Update 1.7 here, though I'm going to cover the highlights from them in detail below. GSC Game World also posted a video showcase of the most noteworthy parts of the update, which is watchable via the embed below.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl — Expedition Showcase | Update 1.7 - YouTube

Watch On

The biggest additions to STALKER 2 with this patch are arguably Master difficulty and the Expedition Mode. The former is a new difficulty option even harder than Veteran that makes other stalkers, mutants, and hazardous anomalies in The Zone deadlier, the effects of radiation, hunger, fatigue, and other neglected survival needs more dangerous, resources more scarce, gear less durable, and purchases and repairs at traders more expensive.

Master difficulty also prevents you from saving whenever you want to — a frightening prospect in a setting as volatile as The Zone — and only saves your game when you reach or leave NPC hubs or at select moments in the main story. Expedition Mode is a setting you can toggle with other difficulty modes to enforce this same limitation; by not being able to freely save, each journey between hubs will feel like an expedition.

STALKER 2's A-Life (the AI simulation system that dictates how NPCs move around The Zone) has also been given a huge upgrade that drives stalkers from different factions to dynamically send men to hold or capture various points of interest around the open world. This should lead to The Zone feeling more active and lively overall, with engagements between hostile factions as well as mutants more likely now.

Here's a short list of some other noteworthy additions and tweaks:

• In-game Immersive Mode that disables HUD for taking screenshots
• New steam and antigravity anomalies
• New "Light Rainy" weather scenario
• New animations for mutant deaths
• Improved UI elements for consumables, artifacts, and gear stats
• Enemies properly struggle to see through grass and reed
• Better locking and reaiming at enemies when using a controller
• Jogging state added when running low on stamina while sprinting
• Tremor effect added when using too many energy drinks that impedes aiming

Overall, all of the above — as well as countless smaller adjustments and fixes to various bugs and issues — make Update 1.7 an excellent patch for STALKER 2, and one that's driven me to begin a new playthrough. It's been a while since I've been in The Zone, but Master difficulty sounds like a great challenge for veteran STALKER players like myself.

On top of that, I'm also excited to see the new A-Life functionality in action, and throw myself into various skirmishes between factions across the map. Aside from making The Zone feel more dynamic, these will also give you more of STALKER 2's tense, thrilling gunfights to get into, and loot to collect from fallen NPCs, as well. Just don't get too trigger happy, though, or you might start a fight you're not prepared for.

STALKER 2 is available now on both Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, and will soon be available on PS5 come November 10. It's normally $59.99, though you can actually get the Xbox version for only $42 at Amazon thanks to an awesome deal.

Save 30%

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl: was $59.99 now $42.12 at Amazon

Despite a few issues with gameplay balance, STALKER 2 stands tall as a triumph for GSC Game World. It's one of the most captivating open-world shooters I've ever played, and is a must-play. It was great at launch, and continued updates like this one have only served to make it even better.

PC version: GOG | Game Legends
PS5 preorder: Amazon

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