GSC Game World finally drops the first paid story expansion for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl next week, with Cost of Hope. It’s also releasing a free update that upgrades the game to Unreal Engine 5, but as it turns out, there is a lot more to look forward to.
As outlined in the latest Back to the Zone Showcase, lighting and exposure have been significantly improved, especially when indoors. The foliage and terrain also received enhancements, but when you actually see it first-hand, it looks more like a complete overhaul. If that wasn’t enough, Fog and Light Rain have been added as new weather conditions.
A-Life 2.0 is also getting some additions, including more points of interest where Stalkers and mutants can brawl, such as campfires and bus stops. And for those seeking a more hardcore experience, the update adds Custom Rules to let you fine-tune everything and decide your own difficulty.
There’s a lot more to go through, from the new binoculars (three of them!) and four new weapons: The Arev assault rifle, GP3A and SKP DMRs, and Fora-230. For all the details, head here.
Update 2.0 lands on August 20th alongside Cost of Hope. Check out the latest gameplay, which runs through new locations in the Iron Forest and Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, here.
