By Sagar V. Mankar 
GSC Game World, the developer and publisher of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, has celebrated a milestone of selling over 1 million copies within the first two days of its release. The announcement was made on November 22 through a Steam update, where the team expressed gratitude to fans for their support.
This achievement is particularly remarkable given that the game was also a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass. This means that the impressive sales figure excludes the many players who accessed the game via Microsoft’s subscription service. In their announcement, GSC Game World noted, “Many more stalkers joined the artifact hunt with Game Pass.”
Mixed Reviews Highlight Bugs but Showcase Potential
Despite its strong sales, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has faced some challenges. Steam reviews are generally positive, with an 82% approval rating at the time of writing, but many players have pointed out a variety of bugs. Critically, the game has received “mixed or average” reviews for its PC version, while the Xbox Series X/S version has garnered “generally favorable” reviews, as per Metacritic.
Acknowledging these issues, GSC Game World has promised swift action. The development team is rolling out smaller patches to address initial problems, with plans for larger updates and additional content to be detailed in a December roadmap.
A Long and Challenging Development Journey
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is the second main entry in the series, blending open-world exploration with non-linear gameplay and intense combat. Its development has been fraught with obstacles, beginning with its announcement in 2010 and subsequent shelving for several years. The game re-emerged at E3 2021, initially targeting an April 2022 release. However, the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 significantly impacted development, as GSC Game World is headquartered in the war-torn country.
Customization and Editions for Every Player
The game offers various editions, including a $379.99 collector’s version featuring unique items such as a figurine and a backpack. Players can also customize their experience with difficulty levels ranging from Rookie to Veteran, each providing a distinct challenge.
Combatting Disinformation
Amid its success, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has become the target of a Russian disinformation campaign. A fabricated video falsely claims the game collects player data for the Ukrainian government. This misinformation, stamped with a fake Wired watermark, has been circulating on social media and through direct messages to journalists. GSC Game World has not publicly commented on the disinformation, but reports by 404 Media have debunked the claims.
Looking Ahead
While the game’s launch has been “rough around the edges,” as GSC admitted on Twitter, the studio has pledged to refine the experience through updates. A detailed roadmap and additional free in-game content are expected later this month.
Players can dive into S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl now on PC and Xbox Series X/S. It is also available on Xbox Game Pass, although this exclusivity is reportedly limited to three months, as per leaked legal documents of Epic Games Vs. Apple.
Sources: Steam, Metacritic, 404 Media.