Stalker 2 receives new update, the largest to date with these changes, MODS arrive on Xbox

Yesterday they announced it and today it's already here, this is everything that the latest major update for Stalker 2 brings.

More stories in the category Updates

• Rust gets free update for Xbox Series with graphical improvements, helicopters and lots of aerial chaos
• Hellblade II Enhanced now has a date: the enhanced edition arrives in August with all these changes and improvements for all versions
• After years, Xbox 360 receives an update that improves its interface

Don't miss anything and follow us on Google News!

---

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 continues to refine its survival proposition in the Zone with an update packed with improvements. The new patch 1.5 is now available and brings with it important changes to enemy AI, technical fixes, and weapon balance, as well as a revamped system for artifact effects. Additionally, the game incorporates official mod support for the first time through Zone Kit.

This patch not only improves the gameplay experience in fundamental aspects, but also expands the possibilities for customization and community-generated content. GSC Game World has detailed each modification, and the overall impact is clear: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 now feels more polished, more balanced in combat, and with a more vibrant and dangerous Zone.

All the improvements in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2’s patch 1.5

Among the most notable new features in patch 1.5 is a complete overhaul of AI behavior in combat, with adjustments that fix errors such as enemies not reacting to grenades, mutants continuing to make sounds after dying, or shots passing through cover. Also, a realistic ballistic drop has been added for long-range enemy shots, reducing unfair hits from a distance.

AI, Combat, and Mutants

1. General AI improvement in combat, especially in animation transitions and cover.

2. New ballistic drop system for NPCs: they no longer shoot with precision from long distances.

3. Fixed errors with NPCs getting stuck, fleeing poorly, or not reacting to events.

4. Improved mutants: more natural attacks, adjusted pursuit, and polished behaviors.

5. Fixed the bug with Controller’s roar damage through walls.

6. The snork can now jump out of elevated areas where it was getting stuck.

7. Fixed the persistent sound of mutants and NPCs after death.

8. Fixed NPC shots that passed through cover.

9. Improved NPC movement persistence when going offline.

10. The Burer no longer drags weapons in silence, its ability now has sound.

Balance and Weapons

11. New weapon: Kora pistol.

12. Added “Durability” artifact effect to protect equipment.

13. Complete review of 7.62 ammunition and its distribution on the map.

14. The Grom S15 weapon now has more armor penetration.

15. Improved AS Lavina weapon: more damage and penetration.

16. New rifle: Three-Line Rifle.

17. Machines guns and sniper rifles now receive suitable ammunition according to type.

18. Supersonic ammunition now wears down the weapon less.

19. Rebalanced artifact effects like Horn, Rosin, or Shell.

20. Implemented a renewed reloading system for all weapons.

Sound and Audio

21. Improved distant and interior shot sounds.

22. Fixed contextual voice lines during missions.

23. Adjusted sound effects for medkits, dialogues, and reloads.

24. Fixed the disappearance of voice effects when interrupting dialogues.

25. Polished acoustics and sound environment in areas like X3 Lab.

Open World and Design

26. Added a new anomaly: Water Electric Tornado.

27. Improved lighting in various industrial and laboratory areas.

28. More than 30 locations improved in art and level design.

29. Review of collisions, phantom damage points, and geometry errors.

30. Improved spawn points for NPCs and enemies.

Interface, HUD, and Configuration

31. Option to speed up credits on PC and Xbox.

32. Added “Repair all” button in the technician menu.

33. Fixed errors in the HUD, inventory, and loot windows.

34. Improved interface for selecting ammunition and equipment.

35. Expanded player stash window for better management.

36. Added option to auto-detect graphics quality based on hardware.

Main and Secondary Missions

37. Fixed errors that prevented completing missions like The Last Step or On The Edge.

38. Fixed dialogues that were interrupted or blocked the camera.

39. Solved errors where NPCs were stuck or inactive.

40. Objective updates now work correctly after key events.

41. Prevented issues with closed doors, elevators, and spawns during missions.

Optimization and General Errors

42. Fixed the bug that caused performance drops due to NPCs opening doors.

43. Crash fixed on Xbox Series S when entering certain areas.

44. Improved performance in multiple dialogues and populated areas.

45. Fixed a flaw that left the inventory frozen after a psychic attack.

46. Optimized areas with active anomalies and mutants.

47. Fixed a bug where stamina did not regenerate after loading a game.

Mod Support and Others

48. Official launch of Zone Kit to create mods with proprietary tools.

49. Integration with Steam Workshop and Mod.io for mod management.

50. Compatibility with ultrawide resolutions (21:9 and 32:9).

In terms of overall balance, artifact effects have been readjusted, sniper rifle and machine gun ammunition has been revamped, and a new revolver (Kora) and the Three-Line Rifle have been introduced. It is now also possible to repair all equipped gear with a single button from the technician, and a function has been included to automatically reset graphics settings based on hardware.

On the other hand, sounds, animations, secondary missions, and console stability have been improved, and dozens of corrections have been applied to level design. This includes all regions of the game, from the Chemical Plant to the X Laboratories. GSC Game World has reviewed almost every corner of the game, including visual adjustments for interior environments, lighting, dialogues, and more.

Additionally, and no less importantly, patch 1.5 enables official modifications from Steam Workshop and Mod.io. Players can now install or create custom content using the Zone Kit tool, available for free on the Epic Games Store. However, it is recommended to temporarily disable mods if errors appear after the update.