Stalker 2 was officially released on November 24, 2024, following a tumultuous development journey that included relocating from Kyiv to the Czech Republic due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

GSC Game World, the developer behind Stalker 2, faced numerous challenges during development, including cyberattacks and a fire at their Prague office.

Despite these significant hardships, the game has launched, although players are encountering various technical issues.

While the game has received some praise for its immersive setting and engaging side quests, reviews have pointed out serious performance issues and a multitude of bugs.

Critics note that despite its technical flaws, Stalker 2 offers a rewarding survival shooter experience for players willing to delve deeply into its mechanics.

In response to player feedback, GSC Game World has promised a first patch that will address a range of issues, including crashes, quest bugs, gameplay balance, and visual glitches.

This initial patch is set to be released during the week of November 24, 2024, for both PC and Xbox platforms.

The patch will include improvements to analog stick dead zones and fixes for A-life bugs, as part of GSC's ongoing commitment to enhance the game.

Specific fixes in the patch will resolve soft locks that require game restarts and address a bug affecting gamepad users who are unable to close the trade screen.

Additionally, the update will tackle memory allocation failures that lead to unexpected game exits and bugs that hinder main quest progression.

Visual enhancements are also on the agenda, with plans to fix issues such as missing facial animations and detached heads to improve player immersion.

The patch will adjust weapon pricing, differentiating between modified and unmodified guns, and will enhance NPC behavior during Emission storms.