Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has been released, but it appears that players should anticipate a challenging experience, as even its developer is cautioning that it is 'rough around the edges.'

In an emotional message shared on social media, Ukrainian developer GSC Game World acknowledged that the 15-years-later sequel, developed amidst Russia's ongoing invasion, is a 'love letter to Ukraine' and a 'project of endless love and passion' from the team. However, GSC also did not shy away from the game's current state at launch.

'Stalker 2 is a massive game,' GSC Game World stated in their message. 'We understand that in such a game, there may still be rough edges: we literally haven't released anything of this scale before.'

Several reviews, including GameSpot's Stalker 2 review, have highlighted the game's technical issues, reporting numerous visual bugs and frequent crashes. GameSpot reviewer Richard Wakeling noted that the game's 'torrent of technical issues' ultimately detracts from its oppressive atmosphere. The first-person shooter blends elements of military sims and survival horror, as players navigate a Chornobyl exclusion zone teeming with mutants, hostile humans, and strange anomalies.

GSC Game World, on their part, expressed their commitment to the game and its ongoing improvements. 'We're absolutely committed to being here, monitoring your feedback, and quickly fixing any issues that need our attention,' GSC stated. 'In the first days after release, we'll be working with hotfixes, rolling them out as precisely as possible, but as frequently as we can.'

Larger updates and additional enhancements will be rolled out over time, GSC mentioned, which will include free in-game content. A content roadmap for Stalker 2 is set to be unveiled in December.

'We have big plans for the Stalker universe,' GSC said. 'In a way, today is both a return and the beginning of a grand new journey.'

Stalker 2 is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, where it can also be accessed via Game Pass.

Source link:   https://www.gamespot.com