Massive Patch Brings Major Fixes to Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

GSC Game World has rolled out the first significant patch for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl on both PC and Xbox, addressing a staggering 650 issues. This comprehensive update resolves game-breaking bugs, such as progression blockers and peculiar glitches like unnervingly long limbs on corpses.

Released as Patch 1.0.1, the studio shared an extensive list of fixes on Friday. Highlights include solutions for memory leaks, crashes, odd NPC behaviors, and problems with incomplete objectives. The update also tackles visual oddities, including unsettling character facial features, like mismatched eyes and teeth, and even floating objects within the game’s physics engine.

The patch is a welcome improvement for a title that faced significant performance issues at launch, particularly on PC. Much of this can be attributed to the game’s tumultuous development cycle, exacerbated by delays caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Stalker 2 is known for its ambitious scope, and while a certain level of quirkiness is part of its appeal, the technical challenges made it difficult for some players to fully enjoy. Fortunately, a prior patch released during the review period had already begun improving its stability.

GSC Game World continues to focus on immediate fixes, with plans to transition toward larger updates featuring ongoing improvements. A roadmap detailing these updates and future free content is expected to arrive next month.

Despite its rocky start, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl achieved an impressive milestone during its launch week, selling over one million copies in just two days. This figure doesn’t even account for those exploring the game through Xbox Game Pass, underscoring the enduring popularity of the Stalker franchise.