GSC Game World has released two consecutive updates for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. These updates aim to fix widespread issues, improve performance, and enhance the player’s experience. With more than 650 fixes across Patch 1.0.1 and Patch 1.0.2, the developers are making significant efforts to address bugs and make the game more enjoyable for fans of the series.
What’s new in the updates?
Patch 1.0.1 highlights
STALKER 2 Patch 1.0.1, the larger of the two updates, focuses on AI behaviour, performance, and game balance:
- Enhancements in AI:
- NPCs now move and behave more naturally, avoiding issues like getting stuck or flying after death.
- Combat AI has been fine-tuned: NPCs shoot more accurately and handle cover better.
- Optimisation fixes:
- Fixed memory leaks and crashes in crowded areas, improving performance during long play sessions.
- Improved visuals for fire effects and scoped views.
- Balance adjustments:
- Rookie difficulty is now more forgiving, with reduced damage from mutants and improved gear durability.
- Players will earn more money from missions and artefacts, making it easier to upgrade equipment.
- Combat and missions:
- Mutants like Bloodsuckers and Boars have been rebalanced to make fights fairer.
- Numerous mission-breaking bugs have been resolved, such as missing objectives and unresponsive NPCs.
- World and visuals:
- Texture flickering in key locations and issues with destructible objects have been fixed.
- Fast travel routes have been adjusted, making exploration more convenient.
Patch 1.0.2 improvements
STALKER 2 Patch 1.0.2 specifically addresses mission-critical bugs in six quests, including On the Edge, A Minor Incident, and Just Like the Good Old Days. These fixes resolve stuck NPCs, missing interactions, and broken cutscenes, ensuring smoother progress.
Community praise and developer commitment
Players have praised the quick release of these patches, describing them as a significant step towards improving Heart of Chornobyl. The updates have addressed many of the community’s frustrations, such as performance drops and confusing mission markers, though some users believe there is still more work to be done, particularly with stability during extended play and interactions with NPCs.
Nevertheless, the developers at GSC Game World are showing their commitment to refining STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, bringing meaningful improvements that should make your next trip to “The Zone” a much smoother experience. For the full patch notes, check out the game’s official channels or simply update your game to see the changes firsthand!
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