GSC Game World releases S. T. A. L. K. E. R. 2 expansion and major update

Ukrainian developer GSC Game World has released ‘S. T. A. L. K. E. R. 2: Cost of Hope’, the first major story expansion for its open-world shooter. The DLC is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. It introduces new locations, including the Iron Forest and the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, alongside new weapons and mutants. The narrative follows the protagonist Skif and explores the conflict between the Duty and Freedom factions.

Alongside the expansion, GSC Game World launched ‘Update 2.0’, a free technical overhaul for all players. This update migrates the game from Unreal Engine 5.1 to version 5.5.4, aiming to improve performance, stability, and visual fidelity. Key technical improvements include enhanced lighting via Lumen, a redesigned A-Life 2.0 system for more dynamic NPC and mutant interactions, and the introduction of fog as a gameplay mechanic.

Developers noted that the release serves as a testament to Ukrainian creativity despite the ongoing full-scale war. The expansion is priced at approximately 29.99 USD/EUR and is included in the game’s Ultimate Edition.