Check out our review of the long-awaited STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl…
We’ll take a look at everything you need to know about this hardcore, horror-inspired FPS game, including a look at gameplay, the story, visuals and more.
Transcript
Ah, STALKER The series that made irradiated wastelands look almost appealing. For anyone not in the know, STALKER made a name for itself in the 2000s with an experience so bleak it made the ending of The Mist feel downright wholesome.
Set in a version of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone filled with mutants, anomalies, and other things you wouldn’t want to meet on a dark night, it stood out with its unrelenting atmosphere and unique take on post-apocalyptic dystopia. You’d step into the Zone, scavenging for supplies while avoiding irradiated patches, supernatural oddities, and bandits who had no qualms about leaving you skint or worse. It wasn’t an easy game to love, but if it got its claws in you, there was no escape.
Heart of Chornobyl, after multiple delays, real-life wars, and several false starts, finally brings us back to that harsh, unforgiving landscape. And while it’s been polished up with all the bells and whistles Unreal Engine 5 can manage, make no mistake, the grim, unpolished soul that made the original STALKER so memorable is still very much here. But is it the return we all hoped for? Watch on to find out.
Heart of Chornobyl starts you off as a lone stalker named Skif, and from the first moments, it’s clear the Zone’s got no interest in easing you in. The developers have taken their dedication to recreating the Exclusion Zone to a whole new level, and it’s both stunning and deeply unsettling. The landscape is vast, detailed, and, of course, completely hostile. Trees are twisted, derelict buildings feel like they’re just waiting to collapse on you, and every step you take feels like it’s luring something nasty out of hiding.
Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, everything looks grimly beautiful—the lighting’s moody, the textures are realistic, and the dynamic weather and day-night cycle make the place feel alive. A heavy downpour changes the whole vibe, and the day shifting to night makes you wish you’d stayed near a campfire. But this isn’t just pretty graphics slapped onto a horror setting; every detail serves to remind you that, here, you’re not welcome. It’s immersive in that eerie, hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck way that the originals did so well.
Heart of Chornobyl doesn’t hold your hand. In fact, if you find a hand in the Zone, it’s probably detached and has an extra finger. This game is as harsh as they come. You’re scavenging for supplies, constantly keeping an eye on your Geiger counter, and desperately trying not to waste any of your precious ammunition. Think you’ve hoarded enough supplies? The game will quickly show you otherwise.
One of STALKER’s most unique mechanics is its use of anomalies—strange energy pockets scattered about, ready to throw you a proper curveball. Some will knock you flat out, others will twist gravity, and there’s usually some nasty surprise just waiting for you if you get too close. But the real twist? Those same anomalies are your best shot at finding artefacts, which are as valuable as they are dangerous to collect.
These artefacts aren’t just collectible trinkets; they carry unique, often supernatural properties that can boost your abilities or even stave off radiation—if you’re willing to pay the cost. Some artefacts enhance your endurance, while others might help mitigate bleeding or radiation exposure, making them lifesavers in the hostile Zone. However, getting them is a gamble with your life, and the whole system’s as mad as it sounds and just as addictive. You’ll take risks you shouldn’t, all for that one rare trinket that might keep you alive a bit longer.
The factions are another returning favourite and are more layered than ever. The Zone isn’t just a barren wasteland; it’s full of groups with their own agendas, and they’re not usually the friendly sort. Some, like Duty, believe in containing the dangers of the Zone at all costs, aiming to eradicate anomalies and mutants. Meanwhile, Freedom, their ideological opposite, believes in preserving the Zone’s mysteries and fights for its protection, often clashing with Duty.
Then there are the Loners—your more classic survivalists—trying to make a living without allegiance, while the Bandits are always out for themselves, exploiting anyone who crosses their path. Each faction has a philosophy that shapes its approach to the Zone, and these alliances (or feuds) shape your journey through the game.
Manage to curry favour with one group, and you might have a slightly easier time—get on Duty’s good side, and you might receive help in dangerous territories. But cross someone important, and you’ll be spending the rest of the game looking over your shoulder. It’s a constant balancing act that keeps you on edge—and you’d be wise not to get too comfortable with anyone.
In short, the gameplay’s unforgiving, but in that old-school way that somehow keeps you coming back for more. You’ll die plenty, but each survival feels like a little victory. It helps if you’re a glutton for punishment, mind you.
As far as stories go, Heart of Chornobyl isn’t here to spoon-feed you plot points. Playing as Skif, you’re navigating the Zone with a vague sense of purpose, but the details are entirely up to you to uncover. The game takes a hands-off approach with the storytelling, encouraging you to explore, talk to NPCs, read notes left behind, and connect the dots yourself.
This open-ended storytelling means you’re rewarded for curiosity and punished for apathy. There’s no endless dialogue or tutorials spelling everything out, and the lack of hand-holding feels refreshingly old-fashioned. Heart of Chornobyl respects your intelligence and, in true STALKER fashion, lets you get on with things—even if getting on with things means stumbling headfirst into a mutant nest.
One of the most intriguing parts of the story is how your choices ripple through the game. The factions, alliances, and subplots all feel like they’re part of a much larger world, and even the little moments—like finding a stash of supplies or piecing together the sad story of a long-dead stalker—build this haunting, believable world that just oozes atmosphere.
Visually, Heart of Chornobyl sets a high bar. The Zone feels as haunting as ever, but now it’s been given a serious upgrade. The attention to detail is impressive—peeling wallpaper, rusted metal, the faint glow of anomalies at night—it’s all unsettlingly realistic. The lighting deserves special mention, as it sets the mood perfectly. A sunset in the Zone is gorgeous but ominous, and watching the sun go down while you’re far from safety is a feeling I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
And then there’s the dynamic weather, which isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a vital part of the experience. Storms can strike at any moment, reducing visibility and turning a quiet stretch of forest into a nightmare. This is one of those games where the visuals aren’t just there to look nice—they’re there to remind you that you’re in a place where nature itself wants you dead.
However, things aren’t all rosy in the wasteland. Performance-wise, there are a few hiccups. Even on a decent system, you’ll notice the occasional frame drop or stutter, especially when things get hectic. Nothing game-breaking, but worth keeping in mind if you’re hoping for flawless performance from start to finish.
One area where Heart of Chornobyl really shines is its sound design. This is the kind of game you want to play with a good pair of headphones because every sound is engineered to keep you on edge. From the distant growls of mutants to the subtle ticking of your Geiger counter, the audio does a fantastic job of immersing you in the Zone’s unique horrors.
The game’s music is sparse, which makes sense in a setting where silence is as ominous as any soundtrack. When the music does kick in, it’s subtle, usually just enough to let you know that something very bad is about to happen. It’s a masterclass in how less can be more, and it does wonders for the game’s atmosphere.
Heart of Chornobyl isn’t just another sequel—it’s a return to a brutal, haunting world that fans have been craving for over a decade. It’s a game that refuses to go easy on you, that expects you to dig around for answers, and that won’t think twice about sending you to your untimely (and probably radioactive) end. But that’s exactly what makes it special.
This isn’t a game for everyone. If you’re looking for something light-hearted or easy to pick up, the Zone is not your friend. But if you’re ready to put in the time, there’s an incredible, haunting experience waiting for you here. Heart of Chornobyl captures the essence of the original series while bringing it into the modern era with stunning visuals, challenging gameplay, and a narrative that’s both bleak and deeply compelling.
For fans of survival horror and those who don’t mind a bit of a challenge (and maybe a touch of existential dread), this one’s well worth the time.
But what did you think of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl? Please let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear your thoughts. And while you’re down there, don’t forget to like and subscribe for plenty more on all things gaming. Check out our movie channel, UDS Films, and head over to upsidedownshark.com to keep up with everything else we’ve got going on.
Until then, my name is Tom, this has been UDS, and I’ll see you next time!
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Tom Baker
I like Star Wars, heavy metal and BBQ Pringles.
