STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl fans are counting down to the release of the game's first major expansion, which is about to make its debut on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Titled Cost of Hope, the new STALKER 2 expansion has an August 20 release date across the world.
Exactly when you can play it depends on your location, with Cost of Hope making its debut at 2pm BST UK time, or 6am PST / 9am EST if you live in the US. The DLC will automatically be available to users with a copy of the Ultimate Edition. Alternatively, fans can pick up the Season Pass in order to access the action.
How to start STALKER 2 Cost of Hope DLC
According to the development team, the DLC content is split between two parts of the game. The first will be available shortly after leaving the Lesser Zone closer to the beginning of the game, while the second unlocks after completing the A Minor Incident main story mission.
If you want to skip the main campaign and enjoy the DLC, shortcuts will also be added to the main menu. Fans are encouraged to select New Game, select DLC Content, and then Skip Ahead to The Cost of Hope.
STALKER 2 Cost of Hope DLC content
The new Cost of Hope DLC adds story content with dozens of hours of gameplay. It revolves around the conflict between the Duty and Freedom factions, each with their own outlook and philosophies. The Duty faction believe the Zone is a danger to humanity, while the Freedom faction view it as a gift that should be explored.
The DLC also adds the Iron Forest and Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant regions, which are large territories with their own hubs.
Whether you purchase the DLC or not, developer GSC Game World will release a new update that makes changes and adds new items for all players, free of charge.
STALKER 2 update 2.0 early patch notes
Visual Evolution
• Improved lighting. Players can expect a more natural and immersive look with more realistic shadows and reflections across the environment, both inside buildings and in underground locations.
• Reworked landscapes and foliage to make the Zone feel more organic.
A-Life Improvements
• More contested points of interest, including campfires, bus stops, and other locations where stalkers and mutants can cross paths.
• Numerous under-the-hood fixes address issues such as enemies shooting or throwing objects through walls and unexpected overpopulation in certain areas.
Customisable Experience
• Update 2.0 introduces Custom Rules, allowing players to tailor the difficulty to their preferred playstyle. Adjust individual settings to create anything from a more forgiving survival experience to a truly hardcore challenge.
• Players looking for an even tougher experience can also try Master difficulty and the optional Expedition mode, previously introduced in earlier updates.
Binoculars
• Three types of binoculars are now available to help stalkers scout the Zone, identify targets, and plan their next move.
• Each model features different technology and functionality — find them throughout the Zone or purchase them from certain traders.
New Weapons and Scopes
• Arev — assault rifle.
• GP3A — designated marksman rifle.
• SKP — designated marksman rifle.
• Fora-230 — submachine gun.
Other new features
• Fog is now more than a weather effect — it is a gameplay mechanic. Both stalkers and their enemies have reduced visibility and hearing. The Light Rainy weather scenario has also received a visual overhaul to complement the updated environmental presentation.
• A new Statistics page has been added to the PDA, allowing stalkers to track their activity across the Zone.
• Bloodsuckers and Fleshes can now feature different appearances depending on their habitat, making encounters with these familiar threats more varied across the Zone.
