S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has had a rough history when it comes to new iterations of the title. With lots of expansions in the mid-2010s, it seems that GSC Game World has finally started to promote their next title. Acting as a sequel title to the original PC game, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, the sequel title has had its development troubles. Originally announced to release in 2012, the hype surrounding the new game was exciting. Yet, due to internal issues over the company’s future, the game was subsequently canceled. Lying dormant ever since spring of 2012, fans were surprised when the title was officially announced again in 2018.
Using the Unreal Engine, GSC Game World was finally ready to bring the franchise into the next generation of gaming. Thankfully, GSC Game World is leaving fans with some semblance of content to hold us over until next year. Due to this, footage and trailers have been sparse as none of it has shown in-game footage quite yet. However, on December 30, an in-engine trailer was showcased featuring some of the spooky new scenery fans can expect.
While the trailer is just a short 50-second clip of what to expect, we actually get quite a bit to see and speculate on. Seeing the trailer through the first-person perspective of a Stalker, various supernatural things start to occur as they run through a dilapidated building. Despite the character appearing to have been chased or afraid of being followed, the trailer smash cuts to black before revealing any more of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. The new atmosphere and color depth showcased is impressive however and will hopefully translate to the full title well. Despite not seeing any mutated dogs or vampiric bloodsuckers the series has become known for, fans might not have to wait too long before seeing the full extent of this new wasteland. The title launches on PC and Xbox Series X consoles for the first time sometime in 2021.
