Ukrainian developer GSC Game World has shared the official roadmap for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl covering the remainder of 2025. The schedule outlines significant technical upgrades, new gameplay content, expanded modding capabilities, and platform updates, with the highlight being a transition to Unreal Engine 5.4 for improved optimization and performance.
According to the developer, the engine upgrade will bring better stability and smoother gameplay across supported systems. Beyond technical changes, players can look forward to a range of new missions, anomalies, weather conditions, and balance adjustments designed to enhance the open-world experience.
Key Additions and Changes Planned for 2025
- Unreal Engine 5.4 upgrade for optimization and performance gains
- New equipment, including multiple night vision device types and binoculars
- A-Life improvements: refined NPC behavior, reduced night vision range for NPCs, enhanced combat mechanics for both NPCs and mutants
- New anomalies and missions from returning and new characters
- Dynamic weather scenario and extended day/night cycle
- Master difficulty preset for veteran players
- Reworked loot and stamina systems, with changes to stash contents and energy drink effects
- Immersive display mode and redesigned player equipment UI
- Additional UI refinements and a save backup restoration feature
- Further optimization and bug fixes for anomaly-related issues
Modding and Community Updates
The roadmap also details the expansion of the “Zone Kit” from Phase 1 to Phase 2, introducing audio modding via Wwise, new narrative tools, better compatibility for mods affecting core systems, improved Blueprint modification support, and further technical optimizations.
Platform and Event Plans
In addition to ongoing improvements for STALKER: Legends of the Zone Enhanced Edition, the studio confirmed that STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl will be released for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro. Although no release date has been provided, the PS5 version will be playable at Gamescom 2025, where more information may be announced.
Notably, the roadmap does not include a multiplayer mode or downloadable content for this year. GSC Game World noted that planned features could be delayed if more development time is needed, humorously citing “Zone instability” as a possible reason.
