GSC Game World has releasedStalker 2: Heart of ChornobylUpdate 1.5, and the massive June 2025 update brings improvements to the A-Life system, adds new anomalies, and includes a variety of other gameplay changes.Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobylwas first announced in 2010 and finally came out in November 2024 as a first-person shooter with survival horror elements.
Stalker 2’s releasesparked high demand,reportedly causingshort internet outages in parts of Ukraine. Since then, GSC Game World has continued to support the game with regular updates. In May 2025, the game received a large patch focused on mutant actions and AI fighting changes. Just days later, the studio began teasing what would be inStalker 2’s Update 1.5, which has now been fully released.
Update 1.5 forthe survival horror titleStalker 2brings a major update to the A-Life system, making the Zone feel more active and real. NPCs now act on their own without the player nearby, going through their routines and showing up in different places over time.Stalker 2 characters can be seen resting or interacting in the world, and respawn systems have been improved to stop enemies from suddenly appearing too close to the player. A small increase in view range also helps immersion by lowering pop-in and making sure characters show up with the right actions and weapons.
TheStalker 2patch also adds new content, including the Water Electric Tornado anomaly, the Three-Line Rifle, and the Kora handgun.Stalker 2players can now collect mutant parts, adding more depth and value to exploring and fighting. Other changes include a bigger player stash, clear artifact slot indicators during armor upgrades, and a new “Fix all” button to make gear repair easier. Weapon reload actions have also been updated to work better across the game.
AI and combat behavior inStalker 2have been improved with specific fixes and balance changes. Mutants like the Snork, Controller, and Pseudogiant now act more reliably, while long-range NPC shooting has been reduced through new bullet drops. NPCs now choose better cover spots, and bugs like creatures hitting through walls or making noise after death have been fixed. Additionally,Stalker 2’sweapon balancehas been adjusted, including updates to bullet types and armor damage, with artifacts also having new effects.
The JuneStalker 2update also brings many performance and stability fixes. Crashes caused by missions, specific areas, or Xbox quick resume have been resolved, and the frame rate is now better in crowded areas and during story scenes. Other updates include ultrawide support, better item sorting, new sound cues, and a new “Auto Detect” option in the graphics menu, making the game smoother and easier to use on all systems.
