STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobylhas turned out to be one of the major survival horror games of 2024, despite its late release.Full of DLC and extended storiesalready for certain editions, many players have been discussing the decisions that GSC Game World developers made for the type of game thatSTALKER 2has become. One of the biggest sources of discussion is the crafting system, or, rather, the lack thereof. As one of the most used mechanics in survival games over the past few years, it’s interesting that GSC Game World chose not to utilize one inSTALKER 2.
As one of the only new-concept survival horror games, it is surprising thatSTALKER 2lacks a full crafting mechanic. This change in core mechanics has deeply impacted the community, but in a way that makes them aware of the differences. The shift in standards that GSC Game World plays into may affect the way that upcoming survival titles approach their own versions of collection and crafting systems. The cutting of this typically tedium-filled crafting mechanic makes survival games so much more fun, but also makes people aware of the fact that crafting is not always fun.
STALKER 2 Is A Survival Game Without Crafting
Every Resource Can Be Used As It’s Found
Unlike other survival games that force players into collecting resources and recipes for both materials and cooking,what would be basic crafting recipes are readily available from the start inSTALKER 2. This de-emphasis on crafting makesSTALKER 2a unique addition to recent survival game additions. Ammunition, healing items, and even weapons are scattered throughout the hidden nooks and crannies of the Zone. Crafting easily becomes one of the most dreadful tasks in games likeSTALKER 2, as there comes a point where it is no longer fun to hunt one part for a story-required upgrade.
The closest thingsSTALKER 2has to crafting are adding attachments to weapons, and upgrades to gear; the latter is simply traded for Coupons at a Technician.
STALKER 2gives players a chance to focus on the game itself without worrying about countless recipes, but some improvements could be made to the system. Currently, old weapons and armor cannot be broken down for any spare parts. Even without a crafting mechanic, it would be nicer if players could use spare parts from old gear for repairs or even tosell the items piecemeal. This one oversight in the removal of any sort of crafting mechanic could be utilized in later updates, but without any defined crafting feature,STALKER 2still stands in a great position.
Classic STALKER Systems Are As Great As Ever
Faithful Sequle To The Cult Classic Original
While many games that have sequels are full of brand-new systems and shocking growth.STALKERhas boasted being a unique experience as a delicate human in an unforgiving world, but now those mechanics remain without any of the new features that survival games have gained. This is not to say thatSTALKER 2feels like it is strictly missing features, butplaying feels like returning to a sense of home. Busted weapons are not always causes for scavenging; taking agood or uniqueSTALKER 2weaponto a Technician to be repaired becomes an important task in and of itself.
Playing STALKER 2 Just Made Me Want To Play A Different, Underrated Game Inspired By The Original
STALKER 2 has been a ton of fun for me so far, but it also reminded me of a hidden indie gem that I think a lot of people would enjoy.
The simplicity thatSTALKER 2has is a breath of fresh air. There is no requirement to spend the first several hours of the game learning all the latest mechanics and unique crafting or dietary systems. The idea of throwing players in and letting them jump into playing the actual story has been lost as survival games started to develop further.STALKER 2keeps it simple in the best way possible:the entire point is to just survive. These classic systems that were introduced with the originalSTALKER,Shadow of Chornobyl, are alive and well, even if it is a little disappointing that there was very little growth.
Survival Crafting Shouldn’t Always Be The Standard
Crafting Can Cause Unnecessary Bloat
In the time between the installations of theSTALKERfranchise, many survival games have taken on crafting mechanics that were vital to the way that players interact with the world and their survival. Extensive crafting systems have become a cornerstone of survival games, dragging base-building in as well.These complex systems are often the cause of many headachesand arguments with other players over what resources should be saved. Unfortunately, this has become the standard, butSTALKER 2provides a new baseline for a gaming experience that still feels completely whole.
Adding crafting mechanics to survival games makes sense to a point, but it is hardly ever the selling point for a game. For many players and me, the crafting system alone is enough to completely dissuade me from keeping a game I’ve purchased. I noticed a lack of player isolation inSTALKER 2, as there is a need to interact with other survivors and vendors here where there isn’t in other games. By choosing not to add crafting,STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobylpromotes the idea of struggling alongside other survivors in a way that makes it stand out compared to other titles from this year.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a survival horror FPS game that picks up in the world where the first game’s expansion, Call of Pripyat, left off. Players will head deep into the heart of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone as they meet new allies, foes, and terrifying mutated creatures carving out their tale in a world ravaged by nuclear disaster years prior.
