What changed in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl in 2026

Save and Load any mod data you want.

Test your mods DIRECTLY in the Zone Kit Editor by using Play In Editor, including .cfg-based mods.

Customize, delete, or add your own sounds and SFX, including dialogs voiceover.

The Zone Kit, a modification tool for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, has moved to Phase 2 with new features.

You can create your own stories and quests, scripting them visually.

Write, edit, put in or delete any text in-game.

Fixed an issue where pressing 'P' during a system notification opened the PDA while system notifications were disabled.

Fixed an issue where the weather could change from rain to emission abruptly.

Fixed an issue where the cutscene in the Zalissya bar could start a second time, with Gaffer now recognizing Skif properly.

Fixed an issue where the system notification could remain on the screen for a long time.

Fixed an issue where the fog could appear indoors in multiple locations.

Fixed an issue where the water level could unexpectedly change during the In memory of the fallen mission.

Fixed an issue where Mavka could still be present in the Kurin hub after completing the In the heart of the Iron Forest mission.

Fixed an issue where the The destructive power of the mind mission could not be started under certain conditions.

Fixed an issue where the autosaves could not trigger during the DLC missions.

Fixed an issue where Zulu was answering with a busy topic instead of the scripted dialogue during the Gunpowder, sweat, and blood mission.

Improved global lighting on the quality graphics preset of the Xbox Series S.

Fixed an issue that caused the caffeine overdose hard breathing effect to trigger on title restart even if the effect had already gone.

Fixed an issue where the sound could be missing on Xbox after the game update.

Fixed an issue where some mission objectives of In memory of the fallen could remain active after killing snorks.

Resolved an issue where a player could lose the ability to move after loading a save made right after the explosion of a C4 device.

Fixed an issue where NPC, Player and weapons could glow during rainy and foggy weather.

Addressed a crash that could occur for some players when launching the game.

Steam Items are now approved and available for players.

Addressed an issue where certain NPCs or bodies could disappear and potentially prevent players from progressing.

The first major expansion for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is now available.

New feature to track player statistics in-game.

Enhancements made to AI behavior and interactions.

The game has been updated to a new engine version for better performance.

Fixed various issues preventing mission progression and quest item collection.

This update features the biggest overhaul yet of how the Zone looks, feels, and comes to life.

Fixed issues with artifacts, emissions, and environmental interactions.

New recording from the first major expansion for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope, exploring the Iron Forest and Chornobyl NPP.

The DLC will open the door to the center of the Zone on August 20, 2026.

Players can now customize difficulty settings to their preference.

Addressed multiple performance issues throughout the game.

FOB-45, 'Yastrub,' and 'Fighter' binoculars added.

The expansion launches on August 20, available in the Ultimate Edition or as a standalone purchase.

Fixed multiple animation issues related to NPCs and weapons.

Several new weapons have been added to the game.

Landscape and foliage now look more natural.

Introduces legendary locations such as the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Iron Forest, and Spatial Bubble.

Introduction of new weapons and customization options.

New mechanics include Night Vision, Offset Aiming, and Mutant Harvesting.

Various fixes including NPCs not reacting to combat and teleportation issues.

First major expansion for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, exploring the conflict between Duty and Freedom.

A-Life now simulates more believable behavior with more contested points of interest.

New weather system that includes fog effects.

Added Arev (AR), GP3A (DMR), SKP (DMR), and Fora-230 (SMG) along with new scope options.

Brings the biggest overhaul to the game's visuals and performance since launch.

Overhauls A-Life, combat tactics, and the economy based on player feedback.

Players can now use binoculars for enhanced visibility.

Players can now view in-game statistics for tracking progress.

Players can now customize their gameplay difficulty.

Significant enhancements have been made to AI behavior.

Addressed various gameplay issues including movement in water and emission immunity.

New fog weather effects have been added to enhance atmosphere.

Resolved issues with inventory weight effects and item stacking.

Resolved issues with key bindings, cursor visibility, and input locks.

The expansion applies a non-linear story principle where player decisions affect the outcome and narration.

Freedom's leader introduces a new currency called coupons, enhancing the economy in the game.

A massive expansion featuring two new regions: the Iron Forest and the legendary CNPP.

The expansion explores the long-burning conflict between the Duty and Freedom factions.

Introduction of new characters Zulu, returning to Duty, and Mavka, the commentator of the Arena.

Fixed an issue where the mission 'Dark as a Dungeon' would immediately cancel if the player had already reached the point of no return.

Explore a new questline that starts when you talk to Diode.

Fixed an issue causing overpopulation of strong mutant types in long campaigns.

A free content update named Sealed Truth will be released in April, allowing access to X-18 Lab.

A new DLC titled Cost of Hope is announced.

The first major expansion, coming Summer 2026, introduces new dangers and wonders in the heartlands of the Zone.

A special Habar Pack featuring iconic items from the Ultimate Edition will be released in early 2026.