GSC Game World has released a major expansion for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope. The DLC is now available for download on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
This time, the Zone will open a new chapter in its history for Skif. The Price of Hope tells the story of the escalation of an old conflict between the factions “Duty” and “Freedom”, which have completely different views on the future of the Zone. The first seeks to destroy it, while the second considers the anomalous territory a source of valuable knowledge for humanity.
The truce between the factions is threatened, and Skif involuntarily becomes a participant in a new confrontation. The events of the DLC unfold in parallel with the main storyline of Heart of Chornobyl, so players will see the already familiar events from the other side.
The developers have also added new locations. Among them are the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the labyrinths of the Iron Forest and other previously inaccessible areas. On the way, you will meet new enemies, mutants and anomalies, and new weapons and equipment will help you cope with them.
Along with the DLC, a free update 2.0 was released for all platforms. The game was ported to Unreal Engine 5.5.4, and the lighting was reworked, the AI was improved and new types of weapons and modifications were added. A separate novelty was the difficulty mode “Your Rules”, which allows players to more flexibly adjust the conditions of the passage.
Developers on creative experiments and the Ukrainian context
When creating “Cost of Hope”, the GSC Game World team decided not to stick to the usual templates. As Yevgen Grygorovych, Game Director and CEO of the studio, said, the developers allowed themselves to experiment, test bold ideas and look for new ways to tell the story. The main goal was to make an addition that would not just continue S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, but would leave players with their own vivid impressions.
Yevgen Grygorovych also thanked the fans of the series for the support that has accompanied S.T.A.L.K.E.R. for many years.
Maksym Krippa, owner of GSC Game World, called the release another proof that the Ukrainian gaming industry is capable of developing even in extremely difficult conditions. Despite the full-scale war, the studio continued to work on the game and expand its universe. According to him, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. also helps to familiarize an international audience with Ukraine, its culture, identity and resilience.
“Cost of Hope” is already included in the Ultimate Edition of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and owners of the standard edition can purchase the add-on separately. Its price is 29.99 USD/EUR, although the cost may vary depending on the region.
The development of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and its add-on took place against the backdrop of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, GSC Game World continues to support Ukraine and work on new stories in the game’s universe.
The game is available on the following platforms:
- PC
- Steam
- GOG
- Epic Games Store
- Xbox / Microsoft Store
- PlayStation 5