The explosive combination of first-person shooter, immersive sim and horror is back in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, unprecedented in scale, advanced graphics, freedom of choices and the thickest atmosphere of a deadly adventure.Chris "Atom" DeAngelus: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. was a masterpiece that created a bizarre world set inside Chornobyl where survivors fought each other for survival among mysterious supernatural happenings. The sequel returns you to the same world but with massively updated visuals, gameplay and style. If it can match the original, it has the potential to be an easy game of the year — as well as a great example of what Unreal Engine 5 can do.
Cody Medellin: We haven't seen this series since 2010, but it remains a popular survival-style, first-person shooter in an area that's still considered uninhabitable. Real-world events have led to the game's constant delays, but fans have been both understanding and patient. We'd love to see the game finally cross the finish line and get some love.
Tony "OUberLord" Mitera: Oh look, the game that was also on my "Most Anticipated" list for 2021, 2022, and 2023! Signs sure seem to be pointing toward the game finally releasing in 2024, but at the same time, I'm leaving room for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 on my 2025 list just in case. I absolutely love this series for its immersive gameplay and overall aesthetic. These are games where you kit up and fight hideous creatures within a radioactive exclusion zone to try and find the riches contained within, and then you come back and smoke a cigarette while listening to a fellow explorer strum a guitar before you become another of the zone's cautionary tales.
Rainier Van Autrijve: Maybe this will be the year when we finally get the long-awaited S.T.A.L.K.E.R. sequel. As my colleagues have also said, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has been on my most anticipated list for several years. After more than a decade that was plagued by cancellations, delays, and more waiting, we're finally about to return to The Zone. GSC World has not shared or shown too much in-depth information about the game, but if we're going to see the game in September 2024, we can expect to start seeing a lot more gameplay footage as the PR machine ramps up. If not, see you for the Most Anticipated Games of 2025!
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