After more than a decade of waiting, 14 years to be exact since the previous STALKER game, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is finally here! Available on PC and consoles, this highly anticipated sequel takes players back to the haunting, radioactive Exclusion Zone in a world of mystery, danger, and mutated horrors. Built on Unreal Engine 5, STALKER 2 delivers incredible visuals, atmospheric soundscapes, and refined survival mechanics that push modern hardware to its limits. If you want to get the best possible experience exploring the Zone, you’ll need a powerful gaming PC. Below, we’ve curated some of our best gaming desktops to ensure smooth gameplay in this post-apocalyptic world.
Developed in the Face of Adversity
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl was created by Ukrainian developers at GSC Game World, who undertook the challenging task of building this game amidst the ongoing invasion and war in their country. Despite the hardships and disruptions, the developers remained committed to delivering a powerful, immersive game that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Ukraine and its history. This unique context brings even more depth to STALKER 2, adding a layer of resilience and authenticity that fans and players around the world have come to appreciate. As you explore the Zone, it’s worth recognizing the determination and passion behind every detail of this haunting experience.
The developers released this great documentary detailing creating a game in such a tumultuous environment. Give it a watch here.
How Do I Know if My PC Can Run STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl?
Check out the game’s system requirements below. If your PC doesn’t meet the requirements, or if you’re looking to play at high settings with a stable framerate, we’ve listed five CyberPowerPC gaming desktops that are optimized to handle STALKER 2 smoothly.
Note the recommended and above settings RAM requirements. 32GB Dual Channel. Do you think we could we see this become the new standard for modern PC games?
STALKER 2 launches with DLSS 3 and NVIDIA reflex. Makes full use of this tech to improve your performance and image quality!
To learn more about STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, check out the official STALKER 2 website.
Is STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl Worth Playing?
Fans of the STALKER series will find Heart of Chornobyl to be a gripping, atmospheric return to the Zone, with new stories, terrifying mutants , and the series’ signature mix of survival, exploration, and horror. The game brings fresh elements while preserving the tactical, suspense-driven gameplay that STALKER fans love. However, it does have a steeper learning curve, and its mechanics might feel challenging to players who are new to survival RPGs. If you’re up for a tense, immersive experience with a compelling narrative and intense gameplay, Heart of Chornobyl delivers. It’s a love letter to hardcore fans and an invitation for newcomers to test their mettle in the Zone.
If you’ve played any of the modern Fallout games, these play quite similar albeit with some more hardcore elements and grit.
Gaming PCs for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Ready to brave the Zone? Here are our recommended desktops that will provide smooth gameplay and optimized performance for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. These systems offer a range of specs and price points to suit your gaming needs.
Low Settings
OS: Windows 11 Home
CPU: Intel Core i5-11400F
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB
RAM: 8GB DDR4-3200 Mhz
Storage: 500GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
A solid experience on low settings, without breaking the bank.
Price: $699
Medium Settings
OS: Windows 11 Home
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700F
GPU: GeForce RTX 4060 8GB
RAM: 16 GB DDR5-6000MHz
Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD
Price: $999
High Settings
OS: Windows 11 Home
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700F
GPU: GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER 12GB
RAM: 32 GB (8GBx2) DDR5/6000MHz
Storage: 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD
Price: $1349
High Settings 2
OS: Windows 11 Home
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7800XT
RAM: 32GB DDR5-6400Mhz
Storage: 2TB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Price: $1729
Maximum Performance
OS: Windows 11 Home
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 24GB
RAM: 64GB DDR5/6400MHz Memory
Storage: 2TB M.2 Gen 4 NVMe SSD
Price: $3565
Where Can I Get STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl for PC?
You can purchase STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl on Steam, Epic Games, GOG, or through the Xbox Game Store (or Game Pass Ultimate) to experience this atmospheric adventure firsthand on November 20th, 2024.