GSC Game World has announced that Update 2.0 for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will launch on August 20th alongside its first major expansion, Cost of Hope.
Update 2.0 provides a free engine upgrade that overhauls lighting, shadows, reflections, and foliage. GSC Game World states that A-Life artificial intelligence now brings more contested points of interest, alongside bug fixes addressing wall-shooting and overpopulation. Fog now acts as a gameplay mechanic that reduces visibility and hearing, while mutant appearances vary by habitat. A statistics page has also been added to the PDA.
Players gain Custom Rules to adjust difficulty settings, three binocular variants, and a PDA statistics page. Weapon additions include the Arev assault rifle, GP3A and SKP designated marksman rifles, and the Fora-230 submachine gun, each with a unique variant found in the Zone. Also, new optics have been added, including a red dot sight for Eastern-bloc weapons and a 3x scope for Western-bloc ones.
Releasing the same day, the Cost of Hope expansion explores the conflict between the Duty and Freedom factions. It's included with the base game's Ultimate Edition or available as a standalone purchase for $29.99/€29.99. To mark the release, GSC launched a website where players can vote for their chosen faction to compete for limited themed prizes.
KitGuru says: Are you planning on jumping back into Stalker 2 when the new expansion lands next week?
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