Recently, Radio Times Gaming channel released a new video about «S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl». The highlight of the video was not only the preview of the game itself, but also an exclusive conversation with the game’s technical producer Yevhen Kulyk, who revealed new details about the project.
Yevhen Kulyk said that the game is being developed on Unreal Engine 5.1. But GSC Game World has significantly changed the basic tools of the engine to create a large-scale world and optimize the game for PC and Xbox.
During the conversation, the developer also shared details about the updated A-Life 2.0 system:
«It all depends on the faction or type of monster you encounter. Some of them defend their territory because our A-Life 2.0 system is built on several pillars. There is an offline mode where some events take place in the background. And during your passage, you can see the results of either shootouts or battles with mutants and so on. Some factions or mutants have their own habitat, and some of them can just roam the map. Therefore, life in the Zone happens both in front of the player’s eyes and outside of their field of vision», Kulik explained.
While completing side quests, a Radio Times Gaming journalist noticed the similarity between S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and the popular mod Anomaly. Eugene confirmed that GSC Game World is actively studying the work of the modding community — several mod authors have already joined the development team. He also noted that the studio is creating a special set of tools for future modifications — from small changes to large-scale game transformations.
GSC Game World will soon present a roadmap for future updates and additional content after the game’s release.
The Radio Times Gaming journalist noted the realistic behavior of monsters. The Flesh suddenly attacks with jumps, and the Bloodsucker can jump out of the darkness. Battles require a tactical approach and efficient use of ammunition. He was also impressed by the game’s high-quality soundtrack. Each weapon has a unique sound, and the Ukrainian voice acting enhances the immersion in the atmosphere.
As a reminder, the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is coming soon — November 20. The game will be released on PC (Steam) and Xbox Series X/S, and will be available immediately on Game Pass. In an interview with GamesRadar, the development team said, which is making every effort to ensure a quality release. At the same time, they plan to actively work on technical updates in the first weeks after the game’s release.
Source: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. UA