I was always a big fan of STALKER games growing up, playing original titles multiple times when I got my first PC in 2008. It is my favorite game series ever.

In 2012 I was absolutely crushed when STALKER 2 development got cancelled (old STALKER 2 supposedly based on X-Ray engine 2.0).

On May 1st, 2018 I went as a tourist to Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Two weeks later on May 15 2018 I got a lot of excitement for rebirth of STALKER 2 development. I mean, could it have been a more perfect timing just after the visit?🙂

In 2024 I was super excited to play it regardless of its technical issues. I truly enjoyed it, it's a really atmospheric game.

Between November 2024 and now developers showed love for the game, they didn't abandon it and continue working on it, fixing and improving it with multiple patches, adding missing mechanics and soon releasing Patch 2.0 with its first major DLC.

Update 2.0 visually reminds me a lot that the overgrown Chornobyl Exclusion Zone I visited in 2018, absolutely love the visuals.

I'm really happy for having this game, really enjoy playing it. It sends me back into late 2000s and early 2010s, when my life was simpler, full of different kinds of enjoyment.

Thank you, developers! I hope you continue this love fest for the game and it will continue becoming better and better over time❤️❤️❤️