Of all the shooters I saw during Summer Games Fest, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is definitely the one I want to play more of the most. I have never played the original game. Thus, I had no idea what kind of game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl was going to be. However, once I was in there, I was immediately enamored with its tone, atmosphere, and horror elements that I didn’t know about. It reminded  of the Metro sand F.E.A.R. franchises which have a great mix of  FPS and horror.

The demo we got to go hands on with was the first mission in the game.  The short amount of time we got though was more than enough to sell me on it. I was immediately sold on it’s dark and dreary atmosphere. Then, when I started to see strange creatures in the light before they disappear caught me completely off guard. Shooting and stealthing around felt great and never felt contrasting to the horror tone the game has. In the mission you are tasked with placing a meeting a scientist who will help you place a scanner needed for another character you are working with.  However, things go a little awry when you arrive at the bunker this scientist is staying at and he and all the others are mysteriously dead. Thus, it’s up to you to figure everything out on your own. However, once outside, you get attacked by one of the first non human enemies in the game.  This enemy had the power to turn invisible and constantly trying to flank you. With this mission being set at night, this enemy would disappear and then get to me again easily and  took me out on more than one occasion.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is definitely a game I want to sink my teeth into more and players won[t have to wait long for it as it is set to release September 5, 2024.