Fans have already been waiting a long time for a new S.T.A.L.K.E.R. entry, and that wait will be even longer than previously anticipated. Developer GSC Game World today shared an update on the game"s development on Twitter, saying it needs more time to complete the high-profile project while also attaching a new release date to it.
Instead of the previously announced April 28, 2022 launch, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is now aiming at releasing on December 8, 2022. It"s a hefty delay, but the studio says it needs the seven extra months to fulfill its vision and achieve a polished product.
"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is the biggest project in the history of GSC, and it requires thorough testing and polishing", the studio added. "We are convinced that development should take as long as necessary, especially in the case of such a project. This decision is not an easy one, but we are doing the best possible to deliver you a game that can live up to the expectations."
— S.T.A.L.K.E.R. OFFICIAL (@stalker_thegame) January 12, 2022
The Ukraine-based studio has previously worked on the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R series of atmospheric survival games as well as the Cossacks RTS games as its most major projects. The title that began everything, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, was notorious for its numerous delays, with it even being called vaporware before its ultimate launch in 2007, six years after the original announcement. Hopefully, this new beginning for the series won"t be that unlucky.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is coming to PC and Xbox Series X|S systems as a console launch exclusive. It will also be a day-one release on Microsoft"s Xbox Game Pass subscriptions.