Stalker 2 Fully Embraces Modern Tech to Capture Its Atmosphere
I have to admit, I’m a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to video games, especially those like Stalker. Deep down, I know that creating an immersive atmosphere in a game doesn’t necessarily require cutting-edge graphics. A talented developer can create a captivating experience with minimal resources.
Still, there’s a reason I’ve never fully committed to Stalker: Shadow of Chornobyl, despite all the praise it’s received. I have to confess that it largely comes down to presentation. While it was visually impressive for its time and the atmosphere is widely celebrated, the graphics haven’t aged particularly well. Even though it was built on the X-Ray engine, the visuals remind me too much of the Source engine, which stirs memories of my time spent in Garry’s Mod.
This is more my issue than the game’s. However, after playing a hands-on demo at Gamescom, I’m excited to say that GSC Game World has built upon its strengths, using modern technology to deliver a game that could rival the original’s legendary atmosphere.
The short demo I played followed Skif, a surly character returning to the Zone in search of answers. As someone unfamiliar with the franchise, I didn’t catch all the story details, but the game quickly got me into action. I was dropped into a pitch-black sewer that served as a tutorial, then emerged into an expansive field dotted with abandoned farmhouses and several locations to explore.
In a later interview with the studio’s technical producer Evgeniy Kulik, I was assured that every location, from major areas to small villages, is handcrafted. This attention to detail is evident, as I cautiously entered abandoned buildings, flashlight off. Some were desolate, but others bore signs of life. I often found bodies slumped over, surrounded by collections of personal items that added a sense of humanity to the bleak environment.
As for gameplay, I didn’t encounter many issues despite being new to the series. Most mechanics were intuitive, and I enjoyed a tense combat encounter with an invisible mutant. I had to rely on its footsteps and my limited vision to guess its movements and fire preemptively, which made for an exhilarating fight.
What struck me most, though, was how far the studio has come in the 16 years since the first game’s release. Not just in terms of technical advancements, but in overcoming real-life challenges like test build leaks, the ongoing war, and even a fire at their new office. Yet, despite everything, they’ve managed to create an experience that’s deeply engaging and immersive.
After comparing notes with PC Gamer’s Phil Savage, who played a demo at last year’s Gamescom, it seems my experience was a bit more subdued. Whether that’s because I approached the game with extreme caution or because GSC Game World has mastered the art of building tension, I’m not sure.
At one point, I arrived at a bunker, only to find everyone inside had been killed. As I carefully explored, looking for clues, I braced for something to leap out at me. But Stalker 2 deliberately avoided the cheap scare, which only made me more anxious. I imagine the full game will use this technique ruthlessly, as the monsters you don’t see are always the most terrifying.
The updates and modernizations in Stalker 2 might be what finally pulls me into the series. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll help me overcome my own bias and give the original games the attention they deserve. After all, if I can face down a mutant with cloaking abilities using nothing but a rusty rifle, surely I can handle the older titles (though perhaps that’s a bit too optimistic). Stalker 2 is set for release on November 20.
