STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl (stylized as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2) has stormed the gaming world, selling over one million copies within 48 hours of its release. Developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World, the highly anticipated sequel marks the franchise’s first major instalment since STALKER: Call of Pripyat, released in October 2009. With such a long gap, expectations were sky-high—and the game has exceeded them.
In a celebratory post on X (formerly Twitter), GSC Game World expressed gratitude to the fans who supported the release. The milestone includes both direct sales and a significant number of players accessing the game via Xbox Game Pass, where it launched as a day-one title. “No wonder it feels a bit crowdy in the Zone. A million copies were sold, and much more stalkers joined the artifact hunt with Game Pass. This is just the start of our unforgettable adventure. The Heart of Chornobyl emanates stronger with each of us,” the studio shared. “Thank You, stalkers! ☢️”
The game has also seen impressive traction on Steam as well, with a peak concurrent player count of over 117,000 within its first two days, placing it among the platform’s most-played titles at launch. While Microsoft does not disclose Xbox player numbers, the Game Pass availability likely increased the total player count, solidifying STALKER 2 as one of the most successful launches in GSC’s history.
However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Players reported several bugs and performance issues at launch, including glitches with the A-Life 2.0 system, which governs NPC behaviour and interactions. To address these, GSC Game World has committed to releasing a steady stream of patches to iron out the game’s rough edges, starting with the first update next week.
The upcoming patch will address crashes, main quest bugs, NPCs getting stuck, incorrect quest markers, visual glitches and gameplay balance. It will also include adjustments to the A-Life system and user interface issues such as missing interaction prompts. Future updates will further aim to enhance the experience by resolving analogue stick dead zone issues and making additional improvements to the A-Life system.
Despite these early hiccups, including the challenges of working amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl has been widely lauded for its atmospheric gameplay, immersive world-building, and seamless continuation of the series’ legacy. With a strong launch and a growing player base, the game solidifies its place as one of the year’s standout releases, proving that the Zone is more alive—and crowded—than ever.
Get STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl now on Steam, Xbox, and more!
Words by Khushboo Malhotra
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