GSC Game World has released Update 2.1 for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl on PC and consoles. The update brings two major fan-requested features to the game, letting players adjust the visualisation distance of A-Life NPCs and fast-travel with squad leaders.
According to information Oyun Günlüğü obtained from GSC Game World, players can now manually adjust how far away A-Life NPCs appear in the Zone to suit their preferences and hardware. The option is available on both PC and consoles.
A-Life NPCs now visible from further away
To find the new options, players need to head to Settings - Game - Visualisation and select one of the available presets. The studio recommends sticking with the default preset for the best balance of performance, stability and immersion. Increasing the visualisation range may affect performance and stability, while the Dynamic preset automatically adjusts the range to match the capabilities of the PC or console.
Behind-the-scenes improvements and balance adjustments were also made to make long-distance firefights feel more natural. Depending on the selected preset, players will now hear gunfights breaking out much farther away, with weapon ballistics adjusted accordingly.
GSC Game World notes that A-Life NPCs and quest or scripted NPCs are separate entities in the Zone. To maintain game stability, the increased visualisation range primarily applies to A-Life NPCs, and the available presets may vary depending on the platform.
Fast travel with squad leaders
With the update, squad leaders of friendly or neutral stalkers are now marked on the compass. Players can ask them to guide them to nearby destinations along their route, and talking to them reveals where they can go.
However, the service won’t come cheap, and guides won’t carry the player’s backpack, so it’s important not to be overloaded. Only nearby, previously explored locations are available. As GSC Game World puts it, players shouldn’t expect a stalker from Zalissya to take them all the way to Prypiat.
A largely community-driven update
Alongside these features, Update 2.1 includes a variety of bug fixes and visual tweaks. GSC Game World says that while it always listens to feedback, this update is almost entirely community-driven. The studio gathers player feedback across social media, forums and reviews, and encourages the community to keep sharing their thoughts.
