Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl gets impressive gameplay trailer and April 2022 release date

A new Stalker 2 trailer appeared during today's Xbox E3 livestream, showcasing gameplay that will be familiar to veterans of the infamous Exclusion Zone, all dressed up in dramatically upgraded graphics.

There isn't a lot of detail at this point. We get a look at a bloodsucker, and an interesting piece of new hardware, but mostly it's a reminder of what life is like for a Stalker: As one of the fireside campers puts it, "You never get used to the Zone." But the gameplay really does look great (I've been waiting for a new Stalker experience for so long). The big news for fans will be the release date: April 28, 2022.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl is "next-gen only," meaning it's coming to PC and Xbox Series X/S, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. Find out more at stalker2.com.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.