S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a 2024 Ukrainian first-person survival horror video game, the long-awaited sequel to the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy, developed and published by GSC Game World, released on 20 November 2024 on PC and Xbox Series consoles. Like the original trilogy, the game is set in the Zone, an area formerly known as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, now afflicted by otherworldly anomalies and crawling with vicious mutant creatures.
Players control Skif, a veteran of the Ukrainian Marine Corps who finds himself down on his luck and with little prospects. He is smuggled into the Zone, seeking mercenary work with the simple goal of making some money. Shortly after he arrives, a seemingly straightforward job goes awry and forces Skif to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Zone. Along the way, Skif meets new allies and enemies, and must choose where his allegiance lies. But above all, it is becoming evident that the Zone is starting to expand- and no one knows how to stop it. 
Initially announced following the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, the game was originally slated for a 2012 release, but was ultimately cancelled the year of its intended release. The game resurfaced years later in 2018, with the release date set for 2021, later delayed to 2022. The real-life Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 delayed the release yet again to 2023 while the title was changed to "Chornobyl" to reflect the native Ukrainian spelling of the word. In August 2023 it was again delayed to first quarter 2024, then in 2024 delayed again to September 5th 2024, surpassing the infamous Duke Nukem Forever in development time, then two months before the final and fulfilled release date of November 20th 2024.
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=Overview=
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 features the same inventory system of the original trilogy, though it gives the player one more weapon slot, with two for long guns and a dedicated sidearm slot. The weapon durability and jamming system also return, necessitating occasional trips to technicians to perform upkeep of Skif's firearms. Unlike previous games, there are now unique jamming animations for each firearm; this is almost always depicted as a stovepipe (none of which have struck primers), save for the break-open shotguns, which depict light primer strikes instead. 
In addition to repairs, technicians also allow the player to upgrade their equipment, giving specific modifiers such as increased accuracy or decreased weight. The somewhat nonsensical modification descriptions return, such as "changing the locking lugs" of blowback SMGs to improve flatness of the projectile.
Weapon attachments return, but there is also a new system allows attachments to be swapped on the fly in addition to being installed through the inventory screen.
For the first time in the series, realistic ammunition counting is introduced; swapping magazines after chambering a round will count the chambered round as part of the total loaded ammunition. In the previous titles, all reload animations cycled the bolt/slide and would eject an already chambered round. In addition, several real ammunition types are available instead of there just being regular and armor piercing ammo like in prior games. Unfortunately switching between ammo types doesn't feature Skif ejecting the chambered round, despite him needlessly performing this action when swapping magazine types.
=Pistols=
==Heckler & Koch USP Tactical==
The Heckler & Koch USP Tactical is known in the game as the "UDP Compact", the name used for the USP Compact in the previous games. Like before, it's chambered in .45 ACP, although a unique variant in 9x19mm ("Gambit") can be received during the main missions. The weapon holds 15 rounds in-game, which would be correct for the 9x19mm model but not the .45.
==Makarov PM==
The Makarov PM is known in-game as the "PTM", though some dialogue refers to it by its real name. Like the original games' "PMm", it is the first weapon usable by the player, and in this case a unique variant for Skif called "Skif's Pistol". This variant has very high durability, can use a few attachments, and cannot be sold or dropped (as it is considered a "quest item"). The Makarov has a plum hammer, extractor and safety. It has a correct capacity of 8+1, and a fictional extended base plate changes the amount to 12+1. Almost every Makarov encountered is depicted with a threaded barrel; despite this, the in-game icons depict them without the threading and only Skif's Makarov can use a suppressor. That being said, the original Makarov is available in the Arena (which returns from Shadow of Chernobyl), with a unique equip animation included. In addition, in any cutscene where the Skif is armed, he will always be armed with the non-threaded Makarov. 
==Stechkin APB==
The Stechkin APB makes an appearance as the "APSB". It features the threaded, extended barrel of the real-world APB, but does not feature the detachable stock. Classified as a pistol. it can be wielded in both the designated sidearm slot or either of the regular firearm slots. It bizarrely fires only in a three-round burst mode; letting go of the trigger early will only fire one or two rounds depending on how quickly the user lets go. There is no way to select its actual semi- or full-auto modes.
=Submachine Guns=
==Heckler & Koch MP5A3==
The MP5A3 returns from the original trilogy, including the "Viper-5" name, left-handed ejection port, straight magazine, and non-standard handguard. Strangely, it has single-shot, three-round burst, and full-auto options despite being modelled with an S-E-F trigger group; the selector thus incorrectly uses S (safe) for semi-automatic, E (semi-auto) for burst, and F for full automatic fire (which is the only correct one). The burst function is realistic; if the player lets go of the trigger after firing two rounds, the burst sear resets and lets them fire another one to three rounds with the next pull of the trigger.
thumb|none|450px|Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with slimeline handguard and straight "waffle" magazine - 9x19mm Parabellum
==KRISS Vector==
The KRISS Vector appears as the "Integral-A". It's chambered in 9x19mm, uses 20-round magazines and has semi, burst, and full auto fire modes. The burst fire mode fires 2 rounds extremely rapidly, akin to the hyperfire found on the AN-94 in the prior games.
==MAC-10==
The MAC-10 appears as the "M10 Gordon" (referring to its designer, Gordon Ingram). Unlike the other SMGs, it is counted as a sidearm and as such can be carried while having the detector out. It is chambered in .45 ACP and full-auto only, despite the presence of an unusable fire selector. Despite the description claiming it is "cheap", its monetary value is nearly twice that of the Viper 5.
==OTs-02 Kiparis==
The OTs-02 Kiparis appears, referred to as the "Buket S-2" (Buket meaning "Bouquet" in Russian), is chambered in 9x18mm, and is also available in a unique modification featuring a permanent muzzle brake, leaving it unable to use the suppressor that the regular model can mount. "Bouquet" was the name of a program to create a compact submachine gun for the military, abandoned by 1975 in favor of a short rifle project that led to the AKS-74U.
==PP-19 Bizon-2==
The PP-19 Bizon-2 appears and is referred to as a "Zubr-19" (Zubr being an alternative name for the Bison animal in Russian, like Bizon). It is chambered in 9x19mm and incorrectly fires from an open bolt. Its magazine capacity is also a fictional 50 (instead of the proper 53 for a 9x19mm Bizon).
=Shotguns=
When switching ammunition types, Skif will manually cycle out the shells for tube loaded shotguns. The shells are incorrectly spent.
==Franchi SPAS-12==
The Franchi SPAS-12 returns and retains the "SPSA-14" name from the original trilogy.
==M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System==
The M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System appears as the "Holemaker-L" and is an underbarrel attachment that can be fitted to several long guns. It is depicted as semi-auto, rather than straight-pull bolt-action like the real weapon.
==Over and Under Shotgun==
An Over and Under Shotgun appears, strangely using the real name "TOZ-34". Despite this, the shotgun appears to be a composite model, with the foreend resembling the IZh-27's and having an IZh-17's trigger guard (complete with redundant opening lever).
==Remington 870==
The Remington 870 is featured under the name "M860 Cracker". It features a pistol grip stock, ghost ring sights, and a Picatinny rail. It can be upgraded to feed from a 10 round box magazine, which gives it an 870 DM's magazine well.
==Saiga-12K==
A Saiga-12K with a dovetail scope mount like N versions of the AK rifle appears in the game with the surprisingly unobfuscated name of "Saiga D-12" and uses an eight-round magazine by default. 
==Sawn-off Double Barreled Shotgun==
A sawn-off double barreled shotgun appears in the game as the "Boomstick". Pre-release footage showed with the ability to fire one or both barrels at a time, but in the final game it can only fire one at a time. It can also be seen mounted in tripwire-activated traps.
==Standard Manufacturing DP-12==
The Standard Manufacturing DP-12 makes its series debut under the name "RAM-2".
=Rifles=
==AK-74M==
The AK-74M with a metal AKS-74-style triangle stock is known in the game as the "AKM-74S". It has a similar vented handguard from the original trilogy (now with three vents), and it once more uses the rare border guard green furniture. It is occasionally seen in the hands of various individuals and factions, but is not as common as its compact cousin. During a cutscene in the story mission "Back to the Slag Heap", Colonel Alexander Korshunov (the leader of Ward) tests Skif by having him to assemble an AK-74M (named "Combatant") he had just field stripped.
==AKS-74U==
The AKS-74U appears as the "AKM-74U". Unlike the original trilogy, it is shown with a proper 5.45 magazine (which is the same border guard green one the AKS-74N uses), but now has an underfolding stock, similar to the one used on the AKMS. Virtually every faction uses it, and the IPSF (International Perimeter Security Force), the replacement for the Military (State Security Service), once more use it as their main armament despite the dislike of the weapon among soldiers in reality. Strangely, it cannot use the 45-round 6L18 magazine.
==AS Val==
The AS Val appears as "AS Lavina" (Lavina meaning "Avalanche" in Russian).
==Heckler & Koch G36==
The Heckler & Koch G36 returns, retaining the "GP37" name from previous games in the series. In-game, it normally appears with the Bundeswehr optic but the "Scope Mount" attachment that technicians can install for a fee will add a long Picatinny rail for equipping third-party optics, or just using iron sights.
thumb|none|450px|Heckler & Koch G36E with G36C-style rail top, short barrel, and vertical foregrip - 5.56x45mm NATO
==Heckler & Koch HK416A5==
The Heckler & Koch HK416A5 appears as the "AR416". It is chambered in 5.56mm and has semi and full auto fire modes. It appears to have replaced the Z-M LR 300ML-A as the common NATO rifle.
==Malyuk==
The Malyuk appears in the game, where it is named the "Dnipro" (after a major river in Ukraine). It is normally chambered for 5.45x39mm but can through the work of a technician be permanently altered to fire 7.62x39mm. Once the barrel is changed, it still uses a 5.45mm/AK-74-type magazine, which wouldn't hold or feed 7.62x39mm in the real world.
==IWI Carmel==
The IWI Carmel appears in the game as the "Kharod". Firing 5.56mm by default, it can be rechambered to 5.45mm.
==IWI Tavor SAR TSB16==
A stylized Tavor SAR TSB16 appears as "Fora-221", which references the Fort-221, a locally-made license built version of the select fire Tavor TAR-21. The "Fora" name was previously used for RPC Fort's Fort-12 in Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat. It is stated to be chambered in 5.45x39mm, which the Fort-221 indeed can be (in addition to 5.56x45mm), but the marking on its receiver indicates it is chambered in 5.56mm (in addition to having the specific markings of the SAR seen on its barrel, "5.56 NATO 1/7"). Due to it being modeled after the semi-auto civilian rifle, the selector only has a fire and safe option despite the in-game version being capable of both semi and full-auto fire. The pistol grip is based on the IWI X95's, which Ukraine has their own domestic version of, the Fort-223. The description calls it "modular" and claims it has won "multiple prestigious global accolades", which are only true in the loosest sense for the Tavor.
==M14 ==
An M14 with a synthetic stock and rails appears as "Mark I EMR". It is chambered in .308. It is semi-auto only by default but can be upgraded to fire full-auto. It uses 10-round magazines by default, but can use 20-rounders.
==OTs-14-4A Groza==
The OTs-14-4A Groza appears as "Grom S-14" (Grom meaning "Thunder" in Russian). It is fitted with a grenade launcher by default.
=Sniper Rifles=
==Gauss Rifle==
The same Fallout 2 and Heckler & Koch G36 inspired "Gauss Rifle" from the old games is seen in the gameplay trailer.
==Remington 700==
A Remington 700 in a slightly stylized ProMag Archangel stock appears as the "M701 Super", chambered in .308. It uses a Magpul AICS-pattern magazine for short action cartridges.
==SVD==
The SVD appears as the "SVDM-2", correctly chambered in 7.62x54mmR and featuring a scope offset slightly to the left and green furniture similar to the AKS-74N. It is wielded by Strider during a flashback scene; this is somewhat of a continuity error as Strider wields an SVU in the original trilogy. 
==SVU==
The SVU appears as "SVU-MK S-3".
==VSS Vintorez==
The VSS Vintorez appears in the game as the "VS Vintar".
=Machine Guns=
==PKM==
The PKM appears, albeit lacking its flash hider and sporting a bare muzzle, and carrying the designation "RPM-74", very close to RPK-74, which this weapon is most certainly not. In pre-release material, this weapon was apparently originally going to be a PKP Pecheneg/PKM hybrid with a wooden stock. It incorrectly fires the 7.62x39mm round, fed from a seemingly fictional 150-round belt bag much too small for its supposed capacity; however, the world model's ammunition is shown modelled as the correct 7.62x54mmR with a very visible rim. The "Tanker Mounter Ammo Box" attachment gives it its metal ammo box. Rather bizarrely, despite the extreme commonality of 7.62x39mm weapons like the AKM in the former Soviet Union, the PKM is the only firearm in the game chambered for 7.62x39mm by default (a cartridge the real weapon cannot even use), but the Malyuk can be rechambered by a technician to use the 7.62x39mm as well. 
=Launchers=
==GP-25==
The GP-25 grenade launcher appears under its real name, and can be attached to the AKS-74N.
==GP-30==
The GP-30 grenade launcher is fitted to the OTs-14-4A Groza.
==RPG-7==
The RPG-7 appears as the "RPG-7U". Much like in the Resident Evil 4 Remake and Battlefield 2042's Portal mode, the PG-7 rocket's booster lacks its protective shell (which contain components necessary for it to function properly).
thumb|none|450px|RPG-7 - 40mm
=Grenades=
==F-1==
The F-1 hand grenade appears as "F-1 Grenade".
==RGD-5==
The RGD-5 grenade appears under its real name, and can be used as a hand grenade or seen in tripwire traps. The grenades in booby traps can be retrieved by Skif despite their lack of safety pins.
==Smoke Grenade==
Skif takes a Smoke Grenade from a dead Ward member in a cutscene during the prologue.
=Unusable=
==9M113==
The 9M113 Konkurs appears mounted on the BMP-2 IFVs.
==AK-74==
A crate of AK-74s can be seen in the gameplay trailer; it is also used by at least one enemy in the trailer. The barrel of an AK-74 can also be seen on the game's cover art. It appears to have been cut from the release version, replaced by the folding-stock variant usable in game.
==KPVT==
The KPVT can be seen on the many derelict Military BTR-70 APCs dotted over Chernobyl, unlike in the original game where they had their armament removed.
==NSVT==
The NSVT can be seen mounted on the various T-64 variants and on the Dozor-B on the same commander anti air hatch that the T-64 uses.
==PKMT==
The PKT machine gun can be seen mounted coaxially in the derelict Military BTR-70 APCs. Strangely, the T-64 tanks all lack theirs.
==PPSh-41==
The PPSh-41 is seen in the hands of a Soviet soldier in a WW2 memorial at Dire Thicket.
==RPD==
The RPD without top cover can be seen in Hamster's store and one with top cover in Owl's store. It is currently unobtainable, however, despite 7.62x39mm appearing as obtainable ammunition.
==RPK==
A Soviet-era infographic poster for the RPK can be seen in Hamster's store.
==Shipunov 2A42==
The Shipunov 2A42 can be seen mounted on BMP-2 IFVs.
==Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B==
Mil Mi-24V "Hind" helicopters are armed with the nose mounted Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B rotary cannons.
Category:Video Game
Category:First-Person Shooter
Category:Science-Fiction
Category:Post Apocalyptic
Category:Ukrainian Produced