[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fQBi28V7arnsl0FZGvJLFaddLBW3NdS5fVW8tCMklLsk":3},{"game":4,"reviews":20},{"id":5,"name":6,"summary":7,"cover_image":8,"header_image":9,"release_date":10,"created_at":11,"updated_at":12,"igdb_id":13,"slug":14,"is_published":15,"trailer_url":16,"category":17,"avg_score":18,"steam_app_id":19},109464,"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl","S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 is a unique blend of FPS, immersive sim and horror with a really thick atmosphere. One of the biggest open-worlds to date is yours to explore — along with an epic branching story with multiple endings. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. stands for (Scavengers, Trespassers, Adventurers, Loners, Killers, Explorers and Robbers).","109464\u002Fstalker 2 heart of chornobyl cover.webp","109464\u002Fstalker 2 heart of chornobyl header.webp","2024-11-20","2024-09-14T03:04:45.228693-04:00","2026-06-22T15:57:54.854931-04:00",101440,"stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl",true,"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FLeTDQuzwEI4",0,74.62,1643320,[21,55,82,107,141,168,192,217,248,280,310,335,358,380,408,434,456,474,497,526,551,579,601,630,656,678,700,725,746,775,805,828,851,872,894,915,941,962,985,1012,1031,1051],{"id":22,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":23,"author":24,"original_score":32,"normalized_score":33,"review_url":34,"review_date":35,"summary":36,"created_at":37,"updated_at":37,"author_id":25,"last_edited_at":37,"outlet":38},1315225,62,{"id":25,"bio":26,"name":27,"avg_score":28,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":29,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":30,"claim_token":26,"article_count":31,"claimed_by_user_id":26},3941,null,"Ben Fellows",79.54545454545455,"2025-01-18T11:16:30.846978-05:00","2026-08-07T11:16:11.30989-04:00",22,"9",90,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psu.com\u002Freviews\u002Fs-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-heart-of-chornobyl-ps5-review\u002F","2025-11-21","For anyone drawn to open-world shooters, survival games, or atmospheric horror, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is an absolute must-play. It’s tense, beautiful, and deeply immersive, with a world that feels alive and unpredictable. Challenge, exploration, and narrative are balanced with skill, delivering moments of genuine fear, discovery, and triumph. On PS5, the game runs smoothly and presents the Zone in all its haunting glory. After experiencing it firsthand, it’s clear this is a major milestone for the series — a game that fully deserves attention and respect.","2025-11-21T07:36:50.577313-05:00",{"id":23,"logo":39,"name":40,"slug":41,"tags":42,"bluesky":26,"twitter":43,"youtube":26,"facebook":26,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":44,"website_url":45,"score_format":46,"average_score":47,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":49,"stats_updated_at":50,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":51,"active_authors_count":52,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":53,"published_reviews_count":54},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FPlaystation-Universe-Logo.jpg","Playstation Universe","playstation-universe","[  \n  'corporate_owned',\n  'online_media'\n  ]","PSUdotcom","PS4, PSVR and PS5 news, reviews, previews, features, guides, podcasts & more from the largest independent PlayStation site in the world.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psu.com\u002F","10",78,"UTC","2025-07-16","2025-07-16T14:07:29.894888",4,9,46,486,{"id":56,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":57,"author":58,"original_score":64,"normalized_score":65,"review_url":66,"review_date":67,"summary":68,"created_at":69,"updated_at":69,"author_id":59,"last_edited_at":69,"outlet":70},145689,150,{"id":59,"bio":26,"name":60,"avg_score":47,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":61,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":62,"claim_token":26,"article_count":63,"claimed_by_user_id":26},12407,"Brodie Gibbons","2025-05-07T19:13:36.236185-04:00","2026-08-12T07:21:16.814317-04:00",131,"6.5",65,"https:\u002F\u002Fpress-start.com.au\u002Freviews\u002Fxbox-series-x-reviews\u002F2024\u002F11\u002F21\u002Fs-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-in-progress-zoned-out\u002F","2025-05-07","S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an achievement for so many reasons. As well as being the little game that could, given the team’s real-world challenges, the game doubles down on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. way, delivering a sublimely realised sense of place with the Zone. Unfortunately, so much of the console experience is rendered so disappointingly undercooked.","2025-05-07T19:33:07.219527-04:00",{"id":57,"logo":71,"name":72,"slug":73,"tags":26,"bluesky":26,"twitter":74,"youtube":74,"facebook":75,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":76,"website_url":77,"score_format":46,"average_score":78,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":80,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":81,"reviews_editor_email":80,"editor_in_chief_email":80,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Fpress-start-logo.jpg","Press Start","press-start","pressstartau","PressStartAu","Bringing the best of gaming to Australia!","https:\u002F\u002Fpress-start.com.au\u002F",79,"2025-07-04T09:28:49.429906","shannon.grixti@sca.com.au","Australia",{"id":83,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":84,"author":85,"original_score":93,"normalized_score":94,"review_url":95,"review_date":96,"summary":97,"created_at":98,"updated_at":98,"author_id":86,"last_edited_at":98,"outlet":99},82399,71,{"id":86,"bio":26,"name":87,"avg_score":88,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":89,"profile_id":90,"updated_at":91,"claim_token":26,"article_count":92,"claimed_by_user_id":90},3726,"Thomas Cunliffe",72.625,"2025-01-16T10:14:34.95268-05:00","1bd861e5-2e19-4d10-b78d-9191f90c76f1","2025-03-25T07:42:05.77456-04:00",8,"6",60,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.siliconera.com\u002Freview-stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-shows-promise-lacks-polish\u002F","2024-12-17","Discover the vast Chornobyl Exclusion Zone full of dangerous enemies, deadly anomalies and powerful artifacts. Unveil your own epic story as you make your way to the Heart of Chornobyl. Make your choices wisely, as they will determine your fate in the end. PC version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes.","2025-02-24T14:28:12.537649-05:00",{"id":84,"logo":100,"name":101,"slug":102,"tags":42,"bluesky":26,"twitter":102,"youtube":103,"facebook":102,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":104,"website_url":105,"score_format":46,"average_score":106,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FSiliconera-Logo.jpg","Siliconera","siliconera","@SiliconeraOfficial","Bringing you news on Japanese video games, entertainment, and terrible puns since 2003.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.siliconera.com\u002F",75,{"id":108,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":109,"author":110,"original_score":118,"normalized_score":119,"review_url":120,"review_date":96,"summary":121,"created_at":122,"updated_at":122,"author_id":111,"last_edited_at":123,"outlet":124},82915,128,{"id":111,"bio":26,"name":112,"avg_score":113,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":114,"profile_id":115,"updated_at":116,"claim_token":26,"article_count":117,"claimed_by_user_id":115},6619,"Jordan Andow",81.35593220338983,"2025-02-25T12:07:33.304047-05:00","ab62feee-230d-4219-8e86-b8762c5af0f2","2026-05-14T08:10:20.715127-04:00",59,"3.5\u002F5",70,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theouterhaven.net\u002Fstalker-2-review\u002F","S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a wonderful game to play and will have you on the edge of your seat. That being said, if you don’t enjoy some light survival elements and more simulation based shooting. This one probably isn’t for you, but if it is your cup of tea… you will lose hours to it.","2025-02-25T12:11:39.412045-05:00","2025-07-08T18:29:32.765894-04:00",{"id":109,"logo":125,"name":126,"slug":127,"tags":26,"bluesky":128,"twitter":129,"youtube":130,"facebook":131,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":132,"website_url":133,"score_format":134,"average_score":78,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":135,"stats_updated_at":136,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":137,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":138,"active_authors_count":92,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":137,"editor_in_chief_email":137,"published_authors_count":139,"published_reviews_count":140},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FThe-Outerhaven-Logo.jpeg","The OuterHaven","the-outerhaven","theouterhaven.net","TheOuterHaven","","Theouterhaven","http:\u002F\u002FTheouterhaven.net is an independent media outlet bringing you brutally honest coverage of video games, anime, manga.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theouterhaven.net\u002F","5","2026-02-17","2026-02-18T13:36:24.504381","Keith@theouterhaven.net",11,56,609,{"id":142,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":143,"author":144,"original_score":151,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":153,"review_date":154,"summary":155,"created_at":156,"updated_at":156,"author_id":145,"last_edited_at":156,"outlet":157},56621,73,{"id":145,"bio":26,"name":146,"avg_score":147,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":148,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":149,"claim_token":26,"article_count":150,"claimed_by_user_id":26},4203,"Patrick Armstrong",74.16666666666667,"2025-01-22T08:10:23.56736-05:00","2025-02-19T08:31:45.857237-05:00",30,"8",80,"https:\u002F\u002Fthenerdstash.com\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-a-life-unlived\u002F","2024-12-03","An alluring and uncompromising open-world survival shooter held back by poor optimization and an absence of AI interactions.","2025-01-26T06:37:56.146846-05:00",{"id":143,"logo":158,"name":159,"slug":160,"tags":42,"bluesky":26,"twitter":161,"youtube":26,"facebook":161,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":26,"website_url":162,"score_format":46,"average_score":163,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":164,"news_editor_email":165,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":166,"reviews_editor_email":165,"editor_in_chief_email":167,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FThe-Nerd-Stash-Logo.png","The Nerd Stash","the-nerd-stash","thenerdstash","https:\u002F\u002Fthenerdstash.com\u002F",83,"Ashland","editorial@thenerdstash.com","United States","JHarris@thenerdstash.com",{"id":169,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":170,"author":171,"original_score":64,"normalized_score":65,"review_url":177,"review_date":178,"summary":179,"created_at":180,"updated_at":180,"author_id":172,"last_edited_at":180,"outlet":181},140161,147,{"id":172,"bio":26,"name":173,"avg_score":174,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":175,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":176,"claim_token":26,"article_count":78,"claimed_by_user_id":26},11810,"Nathan Hennessy",71.20253164556962,"2025-04-30T12:50:07.247557-04:00","2026-07-08T08:23:14.904992-04:00","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.well-played.com.au\u002Fs-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review\u002F","2024-12-02","Never traditionally fun, needlessly painful, and almost always breaking down, I love S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Despite its many issues, I doubt any other shooter in 2024 could match it on atmosphere, vibes, or ambition.","2025-04-30T12:58:34.12231-04:00",{"id":170,"logo":182,"name":183,"slug":184,"tags":26,"bluesky":26,"twitter":185,"youtube":186,"facebook":187,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":188,"website_url":189,"score_format":46,"average_score":190,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":191,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":81,"reviews_editor_email":191,"editor_in_chief_email":191,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Fwellplayed-logo.png","WellPlayed","wellplayed","WellPlayed_AU","@WellPlayed_AU","WellPlayedau","A small collective of avid Aussie gamers, who have ventured out on their own and present their spin on the gaming world.","https:\u002F\u002Fwell-played.com.au\u002F",77,"zach@well-played.com.au",{"id":193,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":194,"author":195,"original_score":202,"normalized_score":203,"review_url":204,"review_date":205,"summary":206,"created_at":207,"updated_at":207,"author_id":196,"last_edited_at":207,"outlet":208},134908,143,{"id":196,"bio":26,"name":197,"avg_score":198,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":199,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":200,"claim_token":26,"article_count":201,"claimed_by_user_id":26},11087,"Travis Bruno",77.95180722891567,"2025-04-25T12:15:09.512332-04:00","2025-05-27T18:40:42.131921-04:00",581,"8.5",85,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.capsulecomputers.com.au\u002F2024\u002F11\u002Fs-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review\u002F","2024-11-27","STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl may be bug riddled but that doesn’t hamper what is a satisfyingly challenging and highly unique experience that will keep players on their toes.","2025-04-25T13:20:30.656243-04:00",{"id":194,"logo":209,"name":210,"slug":211,"tags":26,"bluesky":212,"twitter":213,"youtube":26,"facebook":214,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":215,"website_url":216,"score_format":46,"average_score":47,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Fcapsule-computers-logo.jpg","Capsule Computers","capsule-computers","@capsulecomputers.bsky.social","@capsulecomputer","CapsuleComputers","Capsule Computers is a global independent media site that aims to be the best in delivering news about video games, entertainment, pop culture and anime. Capsule Computers was founded in July of 2009.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.capsulecomputers.com.au\u002F",{"id":218,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":219,"author":220,"original_score":226,"normalized_score":119,"review_url":227,"review_date":228,"summary":229,"created_at":230,"updated_at":230,"author_id":221,"last_edited_at":230,"outlet":231},79466,38,{"id":221,"bio":26,"name":222,"avg_score":223,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":224,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":225,"claim_token":26,"article_count":106,"claimed_by_user_id":26},4697,"Arron Kluz",68.85135135135135,"2025-01-24T10:58:56.69309-05:00","2025-07-08T17:43:49.005107-04:00","70","https:\u002F\u002Fbutwhytho.net\u002F2024\u002F11\u002Fstalker-2-review-xsx\u002F","2024-11-26","Stalker 2‘s bugs and issues are numerous and severe, but it stands as a testament to how great the game buried underneath them is that it still manages to shine.","2025-02-11T06:25:06.838545-05:00",{"id":219,"logo":232,"name":233,"slug":234,"tags":235,"bluesky":236,"twitter":237,"youtube":238,"facebook":237,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":239,"website_url":240,"score_format":46,"average_score":78,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":241,"stats_updated_at":242,"headquarters_city":243,"news_editor_email":244,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":51,"active_authors_count":245,"headquarters_country":166,"reviews_editor_email":246,"editor_in_chief_email":246,"published_authors_count":219,"published_reviews_count":247},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FBut-Why-Tho-Logo.jpg","But Why Tho","but-why-tho","[  \n  'independent',\n  'women_led',\n  'minority_led',\n  'online_media',\n  'ingestion_pending'\n  ]","butwhytho.net","ButWhyThoPC","@ButWhyThoPC","Independent media outlet covering video games, film, TV, and anime.","https:\u002F\u002Fbutwhytho.net\u002F","2026-08-11","2026-08-13T14:08:40.588359","Texas","matt@butwhytho.net",5,"kate@butwhythopodcast.com",829,{"id":249,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":250,"author":251,"original_score":258,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":259,"review_date":228,"summary":260,"created_at":261,"updated_at":261,"author_id":252,"last_edited_at":261,"outlet":262},53565,48,{"id":252,"bio":26,"name":253,"avg_score":254,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":255,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":256,"claim_token":26,"article_count":257,"claimed_by_user_id":26},4494,"Dariusz Matusiak",77.41935483870968,"2025-01-23T14:34:57.885069-05:00","2025-02-03T11:04:37.083993-05:00",31,"8.0","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gry-online.pl\u002Frecenzje\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-recenzja-w-przygotowaniu-gra-ktora-k\u002Fz546b9","After years of waiting, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl finally invites you to the Chernobyl Zone again. The vastness and raw beauty of this world dwarfs most other open worlds, but the sequel also suffers from errors and technical shortcomings.","2025-01-23T14:34:58.260375-05:00",{"id":250,"logo":263,"name":264,"slug":265,"tags":266,"bluesky":267,"twitter":268,"youtube":269,"facebook":268,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":270,"website_url":271,"score_format":46,"average_score":47,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":272,"stats_updated_at":273,"headquarters_city":274,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":275,"reviews_editor_email":276,"editor_in_chief_email":277,"published_authors_count":278,"published_reviews_count":279},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FGryOnline-Logo.jpg","GRYOnline.pl","gryonline-pl","[  \n  'corporate_owned',\n  'women_led',\n  'online_media',\n  'ingestion_pending'\n  ]","golpl.bsky.social","golpl","TVGRYpl","The largest website in Poland dedicated to computer games.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gry-online.pl\u002F","2025-05-09","2025-08-07T04:54:08.933021","Kraków","Poland","anna.garas@webedia-group.com","maciej.pawlikowski@webedia-group.com",28,134,{"id":281,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":282,"author":283,"original_score":151,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":290,"review_date":291,"summary":292,"created_at":293,"updated_at":293,"author_id":284,"last_edited_at":294,"outlet":295},95588,132,{"id":284,"bio":26,"name":285,"avg_score":286,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":287,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":288,"claim_token":26,"article_count":289,"claimed_by_user_id":26},8157,"Hamish Lindsay",82.91666666666667,"2025-03-17T12:24:58.13199-04:00","2026-03-10T12:38:07.125411-04:00",12,"https:\u002F\u002Fstevivor.com\u002Freviews\u002Fstalker-2-review-the-zone-beckons\u002F","2024-11-25","In many ways it’s incredible that STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl is here today at all. The latest entry in the STALKER series and the direct sequel to 2009’s STALKER Call of Pripiat, it was originally slated for release way back in 2012.","2025-03-18T07:44:37.295788-04:00","2025-03-18T14:13:11.6247-04:00",{"id":282,"logo":296,"name":297,"slug":298,"tags":26,"bluesky":299,"twitter":297,"youtube":300,"facebook":298,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":301,"claimed_at":26,"description":302,"website_url":303,"score_format":46,"average_score":78,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":304,"stats_updated_at":305,"headquarters_city":306,"news_editor_email":307,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":81,"reviews_editor_email":307,"editor_in_chief_email":307,"published_authors_count":308,"published_reviews_count":309},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FStevivor-Logo.jpg","Stevivor","stevivor","stevivor.com","@Stevivor","https:\u002F\u002Fmuckrack.com\u002Fmedia-outlet\u002Fstevivor","Australia's most-read independent video games site.","https:\u002F\u002Fstevivor.com\u002F","2026-05-19","2026-07-13T03:55:17.682696","Melbourne","contact@stevivor.com",15,177,{"id":311,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":312,"author":313,"original_score":320,"normalized_score":321,"review_url":322,"review_date":323,"summary":324,"created_at":325,"updated_at":325,"author_id":314,"last_edited_at":325,"outlet":326},146308,151,{"id":314,"bio":26,"name":315,"avg_score":316,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":317,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":318,"claim_token":26,"article_count":319,"claimed_by_user_id":26},12472,"Joy Rahman",76.63157894736842,"2025-05-08T06:46:52.632189-04:00","2025-05-08T08:40:19.753026-04:00",19,"76",76,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.noobfeed.com\u002Freviews\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review","2024-11-24","S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a captivating sequel with immersive world-building, intense combat, and rewarding survival mechanics. A must-play for fans and newcomers alike.","2025-05-08T07:17:14.768931-04:00",{"id":312,"logo":327,"name":328,"slug":329,"tags":26,"bluesky":26,"twitter":329,"youtube":329,"facebook":26,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":330,"website_url":331,"score_format":332,"average_score":78,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":333,"news_editor_email":334,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":166,"reviews_editor_email":334,"editor_in_chief_email":334,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Fnoobfeed-logo.png","NoobFeed","noobfeed","NoobFeed is the place to be if you are a gamer, as both our team and our users share similar passions and interests.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.noobfeed.com\u002F","100","New York City","ron@noobfeed.com",{"id":336,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":337,"author":338,"original_score":151,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":344,"review_date":345,"summary":346,"created_at":347,"updated_at":347,"author_id":339,"last_edited_at":348,"outlet":349},72421,69,{"id":339,"bio":26,"name":340,"avg_score":341,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":342,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":343,"claim_token":26,"article_count":257,"claimed_by_user_id":26},2883,"Michael Higham",75.16129032258064,"2024-12-04T13:36:12.127725-05:00","2025-12-19T09:36:30.5397-05:00","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ign.com\u002Farticles\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review","2024-11-22","Underneath the technical problems that plague STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a unique greatness. It emerges as a refreshingly brutal shooter that strives to hook you with its incredible atmosphere and leave you invested by the end of this long, arduous journey.","2025-02-05T12:56:21.372754-05:00","2025-07-08T18:49:10.370743-04:00",{"id":337,"logo":350,"name":351,"slug":352,"tags":42,"bluesky":353,"twitter":351,"youtube":354,"facebook":351,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":355,"website_url":356,"score_format":46,"average_score":321,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":357,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":166,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FIGN-logo.jpg","IGN","ign","ign.com","@IGN","We're all about video games, movies, TV, and comics!","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ign.com\u002F","Los Angeles",{"id":359,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":92,"author":360,"original_score":366,"normalized_score":94,"review_url":367,"review_date":345,"summary":368,"created_at":369,"updated_at":369,"author_id":361,"last_edited_at":370,"outlet":371},18480,{"id":361,"bio":26,"name":362,"avg_score":94,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":363,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":364,"claim_token":26,"article_count":365,"claimed_by_user_id":26},4166,"Brendan Caldwell","2025-01-21T07:04:38.466025-05:00","2025-10-31T13:07:00.848632-04:00",101,"3\u002F5","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eurogamer.net\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review","Full of anomalies in more ways than one, Stalker 2 is a mess of bugs and jank that nonetheless stays faithful to the open world survival shooter of yesteryear.","2024-12-02T09:26:00.593876-05:00","2025-01-24T09:54:00.779681-05:00",{"id":92,"logo":372,"name":373,"slug":374,"tags":42,"bluesky":375,"twitter":374,"youtube":374,"facebook":373,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":376,"website_url":377,"score_format":134,"average_score":143,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":378,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":378,"editor_in_chief_email":378,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FEuroGamer-Logo.png","Eurogamer","eurogamer","eurogamer.bsky.social","Your trusted source for video game news, reviews and guides, since 1999.","https:\u002F\u002Feurogamer.net","tom@eurogamer.net","United Kingdom",{"id":381,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":382,"author":383,"original_score":390,"normalized_score":391,"review_url":392,"review_date":393,"summary":394,"created_at":395,"updated_at":395,"author_id":384,"last_edited_at":396,"outlet":397},35983,7,{"id":384,"bio":26,"name":385,"avg_score":386,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":387,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":388,"claim_token":26,"article_count":389,"claimed_by_user_id":26},3658,"Mark Steighner",77.71818181818182,"2025-01-15T13:18:47.982723-05:00","2026-08-18T09:30:59.571873-04:00",220,"74",74,"https:\u002F\u002Fcogconnected.com\u002Freview\u002Fs-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review\u002F","2024-11-21","Fans of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R franchise expect uncompromising action and are largely immune to the series’ rough edges. For them, S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 delivers, adding a vast open world filled with danger and discovery. The release day patch fixed many big issues, but the game still needs serious additional polish. Some casual shooter fans might be put off by S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2’s difficulty and opacity, but players who have patiently waited for S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 will be pleased.","2025-01-15T12:06:35.673947-05:00","2025-01-24T09:48:02.607295-05:00",{"id":382,"logo":398,"name":399,"slug":400,"tags":401,"bluesky":130,"twitter":402,"youtube":403,"facebook":402,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":404,"website_url":405,"score_format":332,"average_score":190,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":406,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":407,"reviews_editor_email":406,"editor_in_chief_email":406,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Fcog-connected-logo.png","COGConnected","cogconnected","[  \n  'independent',\n  'online_media'\n  ]","COGconnected","GameCanadian","COGconnected is your source for PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch video games with News, Reviews, Videos, Cosplays and Top Lists.","https:\u002F\u002Fcogconnected.com","trevor@cogconnected.com","Canada",{"id":409,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":410,"author":411,"original_score":151,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":418,"review_date":393,"summary":419,"created_at":420,"updated_at":420,"author_id":412,"last_edited_at":421,"outlet":422},72303,42,{"id":412,"bio":26,"name":413,"avg_score":414,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":415,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":416,"claim_token":26,"article_count":417,"claimed_by_user_id":26},3987,"Paul Kelly",75.65217391304348,"2025-01-18T11:42:52.111094-05:00","2026-05-26T08:09:54.138842-04:00",23,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pcgamesn.com\u002Fstalker-2\u002Freview","Stalker 2 is a punishing survival FPS that can be extremely rewarding for those who take the time to get comfortable in its playground. A few technical issues aside, there's not much else out there like this.","2025-02-03T15:51:36.258183-05:00","2025-07-08T19:08:55.42759-04:00",{"id":410,"logo":423,"name":424,"slug":425,"tags":426,"bluesky":427,"twitter":424,"youtube":425,"facebook":428,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":429,"website_url":430,"score_format":46,"average_score":106,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":431,"news_editor_email":432,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":433,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Fpcgamesn%20logo.jpg","PCGamesN","pcgamesn","[  \n  'corporate_owned',\n  'online_media',\n  'ingestion_pending'\n  ]","pcgamesn.com","PCGamesNetwork","Everything you need to know about PC gaming, hardware, and Half-Life 3.","https:\u002F\u002Fpcgamesn.com\u002F","Bath","lauren.bergin@pcgamesn.com","cameron.bald@pcgamesn.com",{"id":435,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":436,"author":437,"original_score":444,"normalized_score":119,"review_url":445,"review_date":393,"summary":446,"created_at":447,"updated_at":447,"author_id":438,"last_edited_at":447,"outlet":448},102123,140,{"id":438,"bio":26,"name":439,"avg_score":440,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":441,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":442,"claim_token":26,"article_count":443,"claimed_by_user_id":26},8996,"Omi Koulas",72.14285714285714,"2025-03-25T20:36:22.692376-04:00","2026-06-18T19:25:53.187624-04:00",103,"7","https:\u002F\u002Fcheckpointgaming.net\u002Freviews\u002F2024\u002F11\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chernobyl-review\u002F","STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl had a tough development cycle, marked by financial challenges, multiple suspensions, and a global crisis that shook its very foundations. Originally announced in 2010, the game faced setbacks from company dissolutions and massive layoffs to the devastating impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After all this, it’s remarkable that we even have the game in front of us today.","2025-03-25T20:42:54.99351-04:00",{"id":436,"logo":449,"name":450,"slug":451,"tags":26,"bluesky":26,"twitter":452,"youtube":26,"facebook":453,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":454,"website_url":455,"score_format":46,"average_score":391,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":306,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":81,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Fcheckpoint-gaming.jpg","Checkpoint Gaming","checkpoint-gaming","checkpointAU","checkpoint.joy949","Join us every Saturday 2PM on JOY94.9 for all the latest news, reviews & more in the gaming world!","https:\u002F\u002Fcheckpointgaming.net\u002F",{"id":457,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":94,"author":458,"original_score":444,"normalized_score":119,"review_url":464,"review_date":393,"summary":465,"created_at":466,"updated_at":466,"author_id":459,"last_edited_at":466,"outlet":467},87042,{"id":459,"bio":26,"name":460,"avg_score":461,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":462,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":463,"claim_token":26,"article_count":52,"claimed_by_user_id":26},5922,"Trone Dowd",75.55555555555556,"2025-02-11T13:09:39.65995-05:00","2025-04-03T13:41:39.314386-04:00","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inverse.com\u002Fgaming\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review","There’s a wonderful game tucked away underneath S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 impenetrable surface. When riding high on the ability to go 15 minutes without dying and surviving back-to-back enemy encounters, it works as developer GSC Game World likely intended. At a time when gamers are more willing than ever to play games that challenge them to be more deliberate about their actions, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will undoubtedly find its audience for years to come as its predecessor did. For fans of the source material — there’s an added layer of artful frustration that mirrors the nihilistic world set forth by the authors.","2025-03-01T11:54:13.288234-05:00",{"id":94,"logo":468,"name":469,"slug":470,"tags":426,"bluesky":26,"twitter":471,"youtube":470,"facebook":470,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":472,"website_url":473,"score_format":46,"average_score":321,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Finverse-logo.jpg","Inverse","inverse","inversedotcom","Inverse is for the superfan in all of us. We take you deeper in the worlds of entertainment, gaming, tech, and science — and all the fantastic ways they collide","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inverse.com\u002F",{"id":475,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":119,"author":476,"original_score":482,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":483,"review_date":10,"summary":484,"created_at":485,"updated_at":485,"author_id":477,"last_edited_at":485,"outlet":486},75353,{"id":477,"bio":26,"name":478,"avg_score":479,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":480,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":481,"claim_token":26,"article_count":250,"claimed_by_user_id":26},5790,"Sam Chandler",77.91666666666667,"2025-02-08T08:45:08.013508-05:00","2026-08-17T09:17:39.953129-04:00","8\u002F10","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.shacknews.com\u002Farticle\u002F142276\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-score","Honestly, if I wasn’t so enamoured with this gorgeous world, I’d be scoring this lower. Similarly, if there was just more to do and richer systems in place to engage with, it’d be higher. I think that those out there who love the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise will feel at home in this game, as the world is stunning, the sense of loneliness and isolation permeates everything, and the combat against the human factions is intense.","2025-02-08T08:58:14.177031-05:00",{"id":119,"logo":487,"name":488,"slug":489,"tags":426,"bluesky":26,"twitter":489,"youtube":490,"facebook":489,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":491,"website_url":492,"score_format":46,"average_score":321,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":493,"news_editor_email":494,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":166,"reviews_editor_email":495,"editor_in_chief_email":496,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FShackNews-Logo.jpg","ShackNews","shacknews","Shacknewsgames","Gaming News on the Cutting Edge of Technology.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.shacknews.com\u002F","Canton, OH","tj.denzer@shacknews.com","bill.lavoy@shacknews.com","asif.khan@shacknews.com",{"id":498,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":499,"author":500,"original_score":507,"normalized_score":508,"review_url":509,"review_date":10,"summary":510,"created_at":511,"updated_at":511,"author_id":501,"last_edited_at":511,"outlet":512},85195,41,{"id":501,"bio":26,"name":502,"avg_score":503,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":504,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":505,"claim_token":26,"article_count":506,"claimed_by_user_id":26},6812,"Jesse 'Doncabesa' Norris",73.56962025316456,"2025-02-26T19:45:58.945634-05:00","2026-02-20T10:09:03.518108-05:00",318,"8.4",84,"https:\u002F\u002Fxboxera.com\u002F2024\u002F11\u002F20\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review\u002F","S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is everything fans of the franchise could have ever dreamed of. Twelve years after the last entry GSC Game World has overcome adversity and created something special. It will not be for everyone, but it is on Game Pass on Cloud, Console, and PC, so why not give it a go.  The Zone is calling and I cannot wait to answer it once again.","2025-02-26T20:29:00.373351-05:00",{"id":499,"logo":513,"name":514,"slug":515,"tags":516,"bluesky":517,"twitter":515,"youtube":515,"facebook":515,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":518,"website_url":519,"score_format":46,"average_score":47,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":520,"platforms_covered":521,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":524,"editor_in_chief_email":525,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FXbox%20Era%20Logo.jpg","XboxEra","xboxera","[  \n  'independent',\n  'online_media',\n  'ingestion_pending'\n  ]","xboxera.com","Your destination for Xbox news, previews, reviews and community fun!","https:\u002F\u002Fxboxera.com\u002F","jon.clarke@xboxera.com",[522,523],"Xbox One","Xbox Series X|S","jesse.norris@xboxera.com","pieter.jasper@xboxera.com",{"id":527,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":47,"author":528,"original_score":535,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":536,"review_date":10,"summary":537,"created_at":538,"updated_at":538,"author_id":529,"last_edited_at":538,"outlet":539},86289,{"id":529,"bio":26,"name":530,"avg_score":531,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":532,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":533,"claim_token":26,"article_count":534,"claimed_by_user_id":26},6847,"Tom Morgan-Freelander",83.42857142857143,"2025-02-28T11:13:52.72719-05:00","2025-03-31T07:03:51.984663-04:00",35,"4\u002F5","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stuff.tv\u002Freview\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review\u002F","This visually modern sequel stays astonishingly faithful to the original trilogy, often to a fault. Stalker fans will feel right at home in the Zone, but it’ll be appropriately alien for newcomers.","2025-02-28T11:38:01.834205-05:00",{"id":47,"logo":540,"name":541,"slug":542,"tags":426,"bluesky":26,"twitter":543,"youtube":544,"facebook":545,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":546,"website_url":547,"score_format":134,"average_score":548,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":549,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":549,"editor_in_chief_email":550,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FStuff-Logo.jpg","Stuff","stuff","StuffTV","@Stuff","joinstuff","Gadgets - Games - Gear","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stuff.tv\u002F",81,"tom.morgan@kelsey.co.uk","dan.grabham@kelsey.co.uk",{"id":552,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":553,"author":554,"original_score":561,"normalized_score":65,"review_url":562,"review_date":10,"summary":563,"created_at":564,"updated_at":564,"author_id":555,"last_edited_at":564,"outlet":565},91784,130,{"id":555,"bio":26,"name":556,"avg_score":557,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":558,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":559,"claim_token":26,"article_count":560,"claimed_by_user_id":26},7743,"Henry Viola",77.77777777777777,"2025-03-15T20:39:42.52314-04:00","2025-10-27T19:37:32.075131-04:00",21,"65","https:\u002F\u002Fgamingtrend.com\u002Freviews\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-a-rough-start\u002F","Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is an undoubtedly remarkable achievement in atmospheric game design. This post-apocalyptic experience offers an unmatched dynamic open world that is bound to satisfy long-time fans of the series. However, the extremely poor technical hiccups and hardcore yet niche nature of the game prevents it from getting a full recommendation. This is not a game for casuals.","2025-03-16T14:58:56.252743-04:00",{"id":553,"logo":566,"name":567,"slug":568,"tags":26,"bluesky":569,"twitter":567,"youtube":570,"facebook":567,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":571,"website_url":572,"score_format":332,"average_score":78,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":573,"stats_updated_at":574,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":575,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":245,"active_authors_count":92,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":576,"editor_in_chief_email":577,"published_authors_count":106,"published_reviews_count":578},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FGamingTrend-Logo.jpg","GamingTrend","gamingtrend","gamingtrend.com","@GamingTrendVideos","From the table to the screen, and everything in between!","https:\u002F\u002Fgamingtrend.com","2025-07-14","2025-07-16T19:33:01.762266","news@gamingtrend.com","reviews@gamingtrend.com","rburke@gamingtrend.com",805,{"id":580,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":63,"author":581,"original_score":588,"normalized_score":589,"review_url":590,"review_date":10,"summary":591,"created_at":592,"updated_at":592,"author_id":582,"last_edited_at":592,"outlet":593},96419,{"id":582,"bio":26,"name":583,"avg_score":584,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":585,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":586,"claim_token":26,"article_count":587,"claimed_by_user_id":26},7795,"Ralph",79.89690721649484,"2025-03-17T09:13:02.589448-04:00","2026-02-05T02:08:52.029743-05:00",98,"9.5",95,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamerbraves.com\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-a-hardcore-survival-experience-refined\u002F","In this in-depth review of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, we’ll explore how GSC Game World’s latest offering builds upon its legendary predecessor while carving its own path in the survival horror genre. After a 15-year wait that left fans hungry for more, this ambitious sequel arrives with the weight of expectations on its shoulders—and largely delivers on its promises. From its stunning Unreal Engine 5 visuals to its uncompromising survival mechanics, we’ll examine how STALKER 2 bal...","2025-03-24T11:53:02.970039-04:00",{"id":63,"logo":594,"name":595,"slug":596,"tags":26,"bluesky":26,"twitter":595,"youtube":597,"facebook":595,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":598,"website_url":599,"score_format":46,"average_score":152,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":600,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FGamerBraves-logo.jpg","GamerBraves","gamerbraves","@GamerBraves","We cover games, anime and even toys.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamerbraves.com\u002F","Malaysia",{"id":602,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":603,"author":604,"original_score":26,"normalized_score":26,"review_url":609,"review_date":10,"summary":610,"created_at":611,"updated_at":611,"author_id":605,"last_edited_at":611,"outlet":612},130686,129,{"id":605,"bio":26,"name":606,"avg_score":26,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":607,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":608,"claim_token":26,"article_count":51,"claimed_by_user_id":26},6677,"Angus Law","2025-02-26T09:45:21.325935-05:00","2025-07-08T19:34:09.904867-04:00","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.startmenu.co.uk\u002Fhome\u002Freview-in-progress-stalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl","S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 is a vast game that we feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface of.\n\nBut the more Angus Law plays the more rewarding the experience is becoming.","2025-04-16T14:09:04.150907-04:00",{"id":603,"logo":613,"name":614,"slug":615,"tags":26,"bluesky":616,"twitter":617,"youtube":618,"facebook":26,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":619,"website_url":620,"score_format":621,"average_score":26,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":622,"stats_updated_at":623,"headquarters_city":624,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":625,"headquarters_country":626,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":627,"published_authors_count":628,"published_reviews_count":629},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FStart-Menu-Logo.jpg","StartMenu","startmenu","https:\u002F\u002Fbsky.app\u002Fprofile\u002Fstartmenu.bsky.social","thestartmenu","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002F@startmenu-team","startmenu is a website dedicated to mentoring the next generation of games media. Since 2019 it has fostered a community of talented writers and helped dozens of people break into the industry.","https:\u002F\u002Fstartmenu.co.uk\u002F","unscored","2025-08-24","2025-09-03T13:22:40.944687","Cork",1,"Ireland","hello@startmenu.co.uk",67,144,{"id":631,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":632,"author":633,"original_score":640,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":641,"review_date":10,"summary":642,"created_at":643,"updated_at":643,"author_id":634,"last_edited_at":644,"outlet":645},147483,152,{"id":634,"bio":26,"name":635,"avg_score":636,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":637,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":638,"claim_token":26,"article_count":639,"claimed_by_user_id":26},1088,"Josh Wise",70.1948051948052,"2024-11-27T14:39:22.660303-05:00","2025-05-28T11:51:52.87899-04:00",154,"80","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.xboxachievements.com\u002Fgame\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl\u002Freview\u002F","S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is an independent game, in the truest meaning of the term, and, beyond the hook of its mysteries, you may be drawn to it by virtue of being tired of other things.","2025-05-08T10:28:05.791596-04:00","2025-05-08T11:00:28.013758-04:00",{"id":632,"logo":646,"name":647,"slug":648,"tags":26,"bluesky":26,"twitter":649,"youtube":650,"facebook":651,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":652,"website_url":653,"score_format":332,"average_score":321,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":654,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":654,"editor_in_chief_email":655,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Fxbox-achievements-logo.jpg","Xbox Achievements","xbox-achievements","XboxAchs","reseronetwork","XboxAchievements","Your number #1 non-stop Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One & Xbox 360 resource site.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.xboxachievements.com\u002F","rich.walker@reseronetwork.com","dan.webb@reseronetwork.com",{"id":657,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":658,"author":659,"original_score":366,"normalized_score":94,"review_url":665,"review_date":10,"summary":666,"created_at":667,"updated_at":667,"author_id":660,"last_edited_at":667,"outlet":668},174307,14,{"id":660,"bio":26,"name":661,"avg_score":152,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":662,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":663,"claim_token":26,"article_count":664,"claimed_by_user_id":26},2133,"Andrew Brown","2024-12-02T12:25:31.045232-05:00","2025-09-11T08:53:18.25341-04:00",16,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamesradar.com\u002Fgames\u002Ffps\u002FStalker-2-Heart-of-Chornobyl-review\u002F","For fans of hardcore shooters or punishing post-apocalypse games, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is truly incomparable. Unfortunately, due to a litany of bugs, it's the greatest game you shouldn't play right now. Give it some time, and this will be one of the best survival experiences you'll ever play – but until then, only the series' biggest fans should take the plunge.","2025-08-01T18:23:55.912034-04:00",{"id":658,"logo":669,"name":670,"slug":671,"tags":42,"bluesky":26,"twitter":670,"youtube":671,"facebook":672,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":673,"website_url":674,"score_format":134,"average_score":321,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":431,"news_editor_email":675,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":676,"editor_in_chief_email":677,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FGamesRadar%20Logo.png","GamesRadar","gamesradar","gamesradarplus","GamesRadar+ takes you closer to the games, movies, TV, and comics you love","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamesradar.com","iain.harris@futurenet.com","sam.loveridge@futurenet.com","josh.west@futurenet.com",{"id":679,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":680,"author":681,"original_score":535,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":687,"review_date":10,"summary":688,"created_at":689,"updated_at":689,"author_id":682,"last_edited_at":12,"outlet":690},2801438,43,{"id":682,"bio":26,"name":683,"avg_score":684,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":685,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":686,"claim_token":26,"article_count":150,"claimed_by_user_id":26},4399,"Connor Makar",80.6896551724138,"2025-01-23T08:29:13.86946-05:00","2026-08-14T08:31:47.220317-04:00","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vg247.com\u002Fstalker-2-review","Stalker 2 review. four stars out of five. Stalker 2 is an excellent work of struggle an loneliness, sadly plagued by bugs.","2026-06-18T17:44:46.378682-04:00",{"id":680,"logo":691,"name":692,"slug":693,"tags":42,"bluesky":694,"twitter":693,"youtube":695,"facebook":692,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":696,"website_url":697,"score_format":134,"average_score":321,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":698,"news_editor_email":699,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":699,"editor_in_chief_email":699,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FVG247%20Logo.jpg","VG247","vg247","vg247.bsky.social","MrVg247","Eurogamer's red-headed stepbrother. Your maximum-nonsense destination for the biggest gaming news, guides, and features.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vg247.com\u002F","London","dom.peppiatt@vg247.com",{"id":701,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":702,"author":703,"original_score":710,"normalized_score":33,"review_url":711,"review_date":10,"summary":712,"created_at":713,"updated_at":713,"author_id":704,"last_edited_at":714,"outlet":715},28306,29,{"id":704,"bio":26,"name":705,"avg_score":706,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":707,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":708,"claim_token":26,"article_count":709,"claimed_by_user_id":26},3042,"Shubhankar Parijat",77.5,"2024-12-05T09:02:20.091375-05:00","2026-05-25T20:06:22.924979-04:00",204,"9.0","https:\u002F\u002Fgamingbolt.com\u002Fs-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-anomaly-sighted","S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl masterfully combines multiple genres to deliver an unmissable and entirely unique open world horror experience. Touting unparalleled emergent gameplay, stellar atmosphere, a captivating story, and gorgeous visuals, this is easily one of the best games available on Xbox Series X\u002FS, even with the technical issues that hamper it.","2024-12-05T09:20:12.371224-05:00","2024-12-29T20:20:33.816897-05:00",{"id":702,"logo":716,"name":717,"slug":718,"tags":426,"bluesky":26,"twitter":719,"youtube":720,"facebook":721,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":722,"website_url":723,"score_format":46,"average_score":321,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":724,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FGaming%20Bolt%20Logo.png","GamingBolt","gamingbolt","GamingBoltTweet","GamingBoltLive","gamingbolt.official","We are one of the most frequently updated sources of gaming news on the internet. We cover everything from gaming consoles to handhelds.","https:\u002F\u002Fgamingbolt.com","admin@gamingbolt.com",{"id":726,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":278,"author":727,"original_score":734,"normalized_score":119,"review_url":735,"review_date":10,"summary":736,"created_at":737,"updated_at":737,"author_id":728,"last_edited_at":737,"outlet":738},33133,{"id":728,"bio":26,"name":729,"avg_score":730,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":731,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":732,"claim_token":26,"article_count":733,"claimed_by_user_id":26},2851,"Richard Wakeling",72.07272727272728,"2024-12-04T10:28:59.472641-05:00","2025-12-16T16:39:51.179312-05:00",110,"7.0","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamespot.com\u002Freviews\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-in-the-zone\u002F1900-6418320\u002F","Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is rough around the edges, but its propensity for creating emergent moments in a deadly and alluring world makes this trip back to the Zone a fraught and compelling experience","2025-01-13T11:50:12.653383-05:00",{"id":278,"logo":739,"name":740,"slug":741,"tags":42,"bluesky":742,"twitter":740,"youtube":741,"facebook":740,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":743,"website_url":744,"score_format":46,"average_score":84,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":745,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FGameSpot-Logo.jpg","GameSpot","gamespot","gamespot.com","GameSpot is the world's leading source for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PS Vita, Wii, PC, 3DS, and DS video game news, reviews, previews, trailers, walkthroughs, and more.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamespot.com","thussain@fandom.com",{"id":747,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":748,"author":749,"original_score":756,"normalized_score":757,"review_url":758,"review_date":10,"summary":759,"created_at":760,"updated_at":760,"author_id":750,"last_edited_at":761,"outlet":762},71998,53,{"id":750,"bio":26,"name":751,"avg_score":752,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":753,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":754,"claim_token":26,"article_count":755,"claimed_by_user_id":26},5532,"Jordan Middler",75.29166666666667,"2025-02-01T18:04:10.968583-05:00","2025-07-16T08:47:43.296862-04:00",24,"2",40,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.videogameschronicle.com\u002Freview\u002Freview-stalker-2\u002F","Stalker 2 could be a great game in a few years, but what's presented at launch is a technical mess that doesn't capitalise on its best ideas. Compelling side stories and a brilliant setting do a lot of the heavy lifting, but at launch Stalker 2 isn't an adventure we'd fully recommend embarking on.","2025-02-01T18:06:30.249632-05:00","2025-02-01T18:21:02.356262-05:00",{"id":748,"logo":763,"name":764,"slug":765,"tags":426,"bluesky":766,"twitter":767,"youtube":768,"facebook":769,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":770,"website_url":771,"score_format":134,"average_score":772,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":773,"news_editor_email":774,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":774,"editor_in_chief_email":774,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FVideo-Games-Chronicle-VGC-Logo.png","Video Games Chronicle - VGC","vgc","videogameschronicle.com","VGC_News","VGC1981","vgchronicle","VGC brings you the video games news, reviews and features that matter","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.videogameschronicle.com\u002F",82,"Surrey","andy.robinson@videogameschronicle.com",{"id":776,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":777,"author":778,"original_score":783,"normalized_score":26,"review_url":784,"review_date":10,"summary":785,"created_at":786,"updated_at":786,"author_id":779,"last_edited_at":787,"outlet":788},72102,111,{"id":779,"bio":26,"name":780,"avg_score":26,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":781,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":782,"claim_token":26,"article_count":382,"claimed_by_user_id":26},5524,"Grant Taylor-Hill","2025-01-31T15:55:57.308701-05:00","2026-08-08T05:06:40.581139-04:00","Unscored","https:\u002F\u002Finsider-gaming.com\u002Fstalker-2-review-heart-of-chornobyl\u002F","Believe me when I say you will be blown away by the depth and detail in STALKER 2. The sheer level of attention and painstaking effort poured into the creation of STALKER 2 by GSC Game World is nothing short of utterly incredible, and I am so happy that this game was finally delivered after all these years.","2025-02-03T10:06:55.352564-05:00","2025-02-03T10:17:15.96867-05:00",{"id":777,"logo":789,"name":790,"slug":791,"tags":516,"bluesky":792,"twitter":793,"youtube":794,"facebook":795,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":796,"website_url":797,"score_format":46,"average_score":798,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":799,"stats_updated_at":800,"headquarters_city":698,"news_editor_email":801,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":625,"active_authors_count":625,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":802,"editor_in_chief_email":803,"published_authors_count":804,"published_reviews_count":138},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FInsider-Gaming-Logo.png","Insider Gaming","insider-gaming","insider-gaming.com","InsiderGamingIG","@insider_gaming","InsiderGamingNews","Our goal is simple: to provide insight into the often secretive gaming industry and report on video game news without any bias or politics. From news to interviews to reviews and more, we bring you on the Inside.","https:\u002F\u002Finsider-gaming.com\u002F",100,"2026-02-04","2026-02-23T09:18:36.097914","grant@insider-gaming.com","michael@insider-gaming.com","tomtomhenderson@protonmail.com",3,{"id":806,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":807,"author":808,"original_score":366,"normalized_score":94,"review_url":814,"review_date":10,"summary":815,"created_at":816,"updated_at":816,"author_id":809,"last_edited_at":816,"outlet":817},40015,51,{"id":809,"bio":26,"name":810,"avg_score":811,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":812,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":813,"claim_token":26,"article_count":289,"claimed_by_user_id":26},3870,"Jessica Filby",69.23076923076923,"2025-01-16T17:05:11.19259-05:00","2026-04-15T09:03:24.412439-04:00","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dexerto.com\u002Fgaming\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-unforgiving-in-nature-and-design-2983486\u002F","S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Which we’ll be calling Stalker 2 for the sake of our fingers) has some big lead shoes to fill, given it’s been 15 years since its highly revered predecessor, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat released. Yet while the sequel brings back the grimdark designs fans loved, it does get snowed under by its shortcomings.","2025-01-16T18:57:59.814581-05:00",{"id":807,"logo":818,"name":819,"slug":820,"tags":401,"bluesky":821,"twitter":819,"youtube":822,"facebook":823,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":824,"website_url":825,"score_format":134,"average_score":47,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":826,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":826,"editor_in_chief_email":827,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FDexerto-Logo.jpg","Dexerto","dexerto","dexerto.bsky.social","@Dexerto","FortniteForLife","The leading source for influencer, streamer, gaming, and viral content\n","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dexerto.com\u002F"," calum.patterson@dexerto.com","tom.east@dexerto.com",{"id":829,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":257,"author":830,"original_score":836,"normalized_score":798,"review_url":837,"review_date":10,"summary":838,"created_at":835,"updated_at":835,"author_id":831,"last_edited_at":835,"outlet":839},72336,{"id":831,"bio":26,"name":832,"avg_score":833,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":834,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":835,"claim_token":26,"article_count":51,"claimed_by_user_id":26},3458,"Jason Moth",82.5,"2025-01-13T15:18:08.479851-05:00","2025-02-03T18:44:17.141985-05:00","5.0","https:\u002F\u002Fhardcoregamer.com\u002Fstalker-2-review\u002F","Like any other Eastern European over the age of thirty, I grew up hearing all manner of wild stories about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, some more believable than others. From nightmarish descriptions of the effects of radiation poisoning on the human body to urban legends and crude jokes about monsters and mutated wildlife in The Zone, Chernobyl routinely popped up in conversations. Both as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of nuclear power and as an overly-embellished post-apocalyptic hellscape haunted by all manner of paranormal entities.",{"id":257,"logo":840,"name":841,"slug":842,"tags":42,"bluesky":26,"twitter":843,"youtube":844,"facebook":845,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":846,"website_url":847,"score_format":134,"average_score":190,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":848,"stats_updated_at":849,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":804,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":278,"published_reviews_count":850},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FHardcore-Gamer-Logo.jpg","Hardcore Gamer ","hardcore-gamer","HardcoreGamer","HardcoreGamerVideo","Hardcore-Gamer","Follow us for the latest and greatest in video game news, previews, reviews and more. No nonsense, just games.","https:\u002F\u002Fhardcoregamer.com\u002F","2025-07-31","2025-08-25T15:23:50.92109",521,{"id":852,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":548,"author":853,"original_score":32,"normalized_score":33,"review_url":860,"review_date":10,"summary":861,"created_at":862,"updated_at":862,"author_id":854,"last_edited_at":862,"outlet":863},72347,{"id":854,"bio":26,"name":855,"avg_score":856,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":857,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":858,"claim_token":26,"article_count":859,"claimed_by_user_id":26},4898,"Kyle Gratton",84.28571428571429,"2025-01-26T13:18:09.685155-05:00","2026-05-26T08:06:01.904272-04:00",20,"https:\u002F\u002Fscreenrant.com\u002Fstalker-2-heart-chornobyl-xbox-review\u002F","You play as Skif, who is drawn to the Zone because it practically requested his presence by mysteriously destroying his house with an Artifact, a fist-sized, anomalous object that has lost its reality-warping powers precisely because it is now located outside the Zone. Seeking a way to restore the Artifact's power, Skif ultimately begins the life of a Stalker, a title given to eclectic loners who broadly seek personal enrichment via the Zone's mysteries, whether that be monetarily or spiritually. In the STALKER universe, the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone suffered a second disaster in 2006, mutating all life within and manifesting an untold number of physical, meteorological, and geological phenomena.","2025-02-03T19:19:02.253495-05:00",{"id":548,"logo":864,"name":865,"slug":866,"tags":42,"bluesky":26,"twitter":867,"youtube":868,"facebook":867,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":869,"website_url":870,"score_format":46,"average_score":321,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":871,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FScreen-Rant-Logo.jpg","Screen Rant","screen-rant","screenrant","@ScreenRant","Screen Rant has grown into the largest source of breaking entertainment news and original features for movies, TV, comics, anime & gaming since 2003.","https:\u002F\u002Fscreenrant.com\u002F","editorial@screenrant.com",{"id":873,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":163,"author":874,"original_score":46,"normalized_score":94,"review_url":880,"review_date":10,"summary":881,"created_at":882,"updated_at":882,"author_id":875,"last_edited_at":882,"outlet":883},64989,{"id":875,"bio":26,"name":876,"avg_score":877,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":878,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":879,"claim_token":26,"article_count":804,"claimed_by_user_id":26},5003,"Branden Lizardi",73.33333333333333,"2025-01-27T07:19:34.505818-05:00","2025-09-01T15:27:12.507897-04:00","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thegamer.com\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review\u002F","Come for the Zone, stay for the people.","2025-01-27T07:33:58.712529-05:00",{"id":163,"logo":884,"name":885,"slug":886,"tags":887,"bluesky":26,"twitter":888,"youtube":889,"facebook":890,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":891,"website_url":892,"score_format":134,"average_score":391,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":893,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FTheGamer-Logo.png","TheGamer","thegamer","[  \n  'corporate_owned',\n  'women_led',\n  'online_media'\n  ]","thegamerwebsite","@TheGamerVideos","thegamercom","TheGamer is a digital publication founded in 2017. Our gaming experts specialize in creating in-depth game guides, breaking gaming news, and opinion pieces.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thegamer.com\u002F","editorial@thegamer.com",{"id":895,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":896,"author":897,"original_score":903,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":904,"review_date":10,"summary":905,"created_at":906,"updated_at":906,"author_id":898,"last_edited_at":906,"outlet":907},49812,54,{"id":898,"bio":26,"name":899,"avg_score":106,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":900,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":901,"claim_token":26,"article_count":902,"claimed_by_user_id":26},4198,"Echo Aspey","2025-01-22T07:00:20.467311-05:00","2025-03-24T21:42:59.633247-04:00",2,"4.0","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techradar.com\u002Fgaming\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review","Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is one of the most haunting and atmospheric survival games of this generation. Small bugs and AI issues here and there mean that it is a little rough around the edges but the game’s world, atmosphere, and combat are breathtaking. Stalker 2 holds nothing back and forces you to play by its rules and is all the more refreshing because of it.","2025-01-22T07:00:20.923867-05:00",{"id":896,"logo":908,"name":909,"slug":910,"tags":42,"bluesky":26,"twitter":911,"youtube":911,"facebook":912,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":913,"website_url":914,"score_format":134,"average_score":47,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FTechRadar-Logo.jpg","TechRadar Gaming","techradar-gaming","techradar","TechRadar","We're obsessed with tech. Want in-depth gadget reviews, up-to-the minute tech news and intensive how-tos? You’ve come to the right place.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techradar.com\u002Fgaming",{"id":916,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":51,"author":917,"original_score":923,"normalized_score":548,"review_url":924,"review_date":10,"summary":925,"created_at":926,"updated_at":926,"author_id":918,"last_edited_at":927,"outlet":928},72391,{"id":918,"bio":26,"name":919,"avg_score":920,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":921,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":922,"claim_token":26,"article_count":308,"claimed_by_user_id":26},3879,"Patrick Dane",83.73333333333333,"2025-01-16T17:05:23.723607-05:00","2025-09-24T20:06:59.72341-04:00","81","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamerguides.com\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl\u002Freview","While performance woes hinder it, STALKER 2 is a fiercely unique and immersive survival game. It asks the player to put in the work and struggle against its harsh systems that may turn many off. However, if you’re willing to persevere through its systems and technical issues, there is a special experience waiting to be found within the enchanting Zone.","2025-02-04T21:46:54.160812-05:00","2025-07-08T19:20:18.514792-04:00",{"id":51,"logo":929,"name":930,"slug":931,"tags":932,"bluesky":933,"twitter":934,"youtube":935,"facebook":934,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":936,"claimed_at":26,"description":937,"website_url":938,"score_format":332,"average_score":78,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":939,"editor_in_chief_email":940,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FGamerGuides-Logo.png","Gamer Guides","gamer-guides","[  \n  'independent',\n  'women_led',\n  'online_media',\n  ]","gamerguides.com","GamerGuides","GamerGuidesOfficial","https:\u002F\u002Fmuckrack.com\u002Fmedia-outlet\u002Fgamerguides","Founded in 2011, Gamer Guides is one of the longest-running, entirely female-led, independent game knowledge specialists in the gaming media industry. Their work encompasses interactive, thorough, and detailed game resources, including complete guides, walkthroughs, stunning interactive maps, and comprehensive databases. These are all created by a team of industry veterans with a profound love and appreciation for gaming in its most foundational and purest form. Their reviews and previews reflect this focus, aiming to critique games on a highly analytical and in-depth level.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamerguides.com","claire@gamerguides.com","admin@gamerguides.com",{"id":942,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":943,"author":944,"original_score":950,"normalized_score":119,"review_url":951,"review_date":10,"summary":952,"created_at":953,"updated_at":953,"author_id":945,"last_edited_at":953,"outlet":954},65473,13,{"id":945,"bio":26,"name":946,"avg_score":947,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":948,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":949,"claim_token":26,"article_count":257,"claimed_by_user_id":26},2063,"Jaime Tugayev",73.21428571428571,"2024-12-02T11:21:28.616154-05:00","2026-08-19T13:26:56.558534-04:00","7.0\u002F10","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dualshockers.com\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review\u002F","If you want to know if this modern Stalker entry captures the essence of the past titles, then check out our S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 Heart of Chornobyl Review","2025-01-27T08:52:30.717512-05:00",{"id":943,"logo":955,"name":956,"slug":957,"tags":426,"bluesky":958,"twitter":956,"youtube":959,"facebook":956,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":26,"website_url":960,"score_format":46,"average_score":321,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":961,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FDualshockers-logo.jpg","DualShockers","dualshockers","dualshockers.bsky.social","Dualshockers","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dualshockers.com"," editorial@dualshockers.com",{"id":963,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":391,"author":964,"original_score":970,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":971,"review_date":10,"summary":972,"created_at":973,"updated_at":973,"author_id":965,"last_edited_at":973,"outlet":974},52247,{"id":965,"bio":26,"name":966,"avg_score":967,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":968,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":969,"claim_token":26,"article_count":92,"claimed_by_user_id":26},3207,"Lewis White",66.875,"2024-12-06T11:12:38.388939-05:00","2025-07-14T11:02:57.115866-04:00","8.0\u002F10","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.videogamer.com\u002Freviews\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review\u002F","You already know if you'll like GSC's newest entry in the series. If you like Call of Pripyat, you'll like this. If you didn't, Heart of Chornobyl rarely hides any true improvements to the formula. It's exactly what fans expect, albeit with a fancy, oftentimes gorgeous, new lick of paint and some modern sensibilities, but it's Stalker through and through - for better and for worse.","2025-01-23T10:29:17.618864-05:00",{"id":391,"logo":975,"name":976,"slug":977,"tags":978,"bluesky":26,"twitter":979,"youtube":980,"facebook":979,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":981,"website_url":982,"score_format":46,"average_score":391,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":983,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":379,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":984,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FVideogamer-logo.jpg","Videogamer","videogamer","[  \n  'corporate_owned',\n  'online_media',\n  ]","VideoGamerCom","@Videogamer_TV","News, reviews, and guides on all of the games you play. ","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.videogamer.com\u002F","Manchester","hello@videogamer.com",{"id":986,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":289,"author":987,"original_score":993,"normalized_score":757,"review_url":994,"review_date":10,"summary":995,"created_at":996,"updated_at":996,"author_id":988,"last_edited_at":997,"outlet":998},18209,{"id":988,"bio":26,"name":989,"avg_score":990,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":991,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":992,"claim_token":26,"article_count":603,"claimed_by_user_id":26},1001,"Jason Rodriguez",72.18253968253968,"2024-11-27T13:59:35.475827-05:00","2025-04-15T11:06:58.450785-04:00","2.0","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.digitaltrends.com\u002Fgaming\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-pc\u002F","“Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl crumbles under the weight of its own ambition.”","2024-12-02T08:27:11.354074-05:00","2025-01-24T09:57:44.485405-05:00",{"id":289,"logo":999,"name":1000,"slug":1001,"tags":42,"bluesky":1002,"twitter":1003,"youtube":1004,"facebook":1005,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":1006,"website_url":1007,"score_format":134,"average_score":1008,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":1009,"news_editor_email":1010,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":166,"reviews_editor_email":1010,"editor_in_chief_email":1011,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FDigital-Trends-Logo.jpg","Digital Trends","digital-trends","digital-trends.bsky.social","digitaltrends","UC8wXC0ZCfGt3HaVLy_fdTQw","DigitalTrends","Tech for the way we live.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.digitaltrends.com",72,"Portland","gcolantonio@digitaltrends.com","nick@digitaltrends.com",{"id":1013,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":1014,"author":1015,"original_score":202,"normalized_score":26,"review_url":1020,"review_date":10,"summary":1021,"created_at":1019,"updated_at":1019,"author_id":1016,"last_edited_at":1019,"outlet":1022},66490,47,{"id":1016,"bio":26,"name":1017,"avg_score":26,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":1018,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":1019,"claim_token":26,"article_count":625,"claimed_by_user_id":26},5091,"Izabela Budzyńska","2025-01-28T16:47:11.669444-05:00","2025-01-29T02:37:46.02073-05:00","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamepressure.com\u002Feditorials\u002Freviews\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review-zone-how-much-we-have-missed\u002Fzc741","Although this may not be a perfect game, it must be honestly said that no one ever expected this from Stalker. The atmosphere, harshness, and unforgettable adventures in the Zone matter - and Stalker 2 has more than enough of that.",{"id":1014,"logo":1023,"name":1024,"slug":1025,"tags":426,"bluesky":26,"twitter":1026,"youtube":1027,"facebook":1025,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":1028,"website_url":1029,"score_format":46,"average_score":78,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":1030,"editor_in_chief_email":277,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002Fgamepressure-logo.jpg","GamePressure","gamepressure","gamepressurecom","UCCH7BcvTqvbIvX6aaJs0p3g","Visit Gamepressure for the latest gaming news, best game guides on the web, and editorials with a perspective.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamepressure.com\u002F","maciej.bogusz@webedia-group.com",{"id":1032,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":152,"author":1033,"original_score":32,"normalized_score":33,"review_url":1039,"review_date":10,"summary":1040,"created_at":1041,"updated_at":1041,"author_id":1034,"last_edited_at":1041,"outlet":1042},59548,{"id":1034,"bio":26,"name":1035,"avg_score":1036,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":1037,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":1038,"claim_token":26,"article_count":859,"claimed_by_user_id":26},4797,"Josh Cotts",83.5,"2025-01-26T12:20:12.185691-05:00","2026-06-18T16:04:25.689837-04:00","https:\u002F\u002Fgamerant.com\u002F\u002Fstalker-2-heart-of-chornobyl-review\u002F","Since I began my journey into the Zone, my relationship with Stalker 2 has been a bit of a roller coaster. My first ten or so hours with the game were largely riddled with immersion-breaking bugs, unconvincing vocal performances, and occasional moments of panic as Stalker 2 threw way too many things at me at once. However, while some of these issues persisted, the deeper I ventured into the game, the more I settled into its sporadic awkwardness, and the more I began to appreciate its unique experience. At the end of it all, I've concluded that Stalker 2 is an experience worth having, with one of the most immersive post-apocalyptic open worlds I've ever explored, an unprecedented amount of player power, and gameplay that is rewarding enough for the challenge it poses.","2025-01-26T15:23:59.97439-05:00",{"id":152,"logo":1043,"name":1044,"slug":1045,"tags":426,"bluesky":26,"twitter":1046,"youtube":1047,"facebook":1046,"mastodon":130,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":1048,"website_url":1049,"score_format":46,"average_score":391,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":1050,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FGame-Rant-Logo.png","Game Rant","game-rant","GameRant","@GameRant","Game Rant launched as an online gaming publication in 2009, and we're now a leader in gaming news, reviews, analysis, community discussions, and gaming guides.","https:\u002F\u002Fgamerant.com\u002F","editorial@gamerant.com",{"id":1052,"game_id":5,"outlet_id":1053,"author":1054,"original_score":151,"normalized_score":152,"review_url":1059,"review_date":10,"summary":1060,"created_at":1061,"updated_at":1061,"author_id":1055,"last_edited_at":1061,"outlet":1062},60808,61,{"id":1055,"bio":26,"name":1056,"avg_score":947,"outlet_id":26,"created_at":1057,"profile_id":26,"updated_at":1058,"claim_token":26,"article_count":702,"claimed_by_user_id":26},4965,"Steve Boxer","2025-01-26T16:23:57.382469-05:00","2026-08-08T04:33:19.716151-04:00","https:\u002F\u002Fmetro.co.uk\u002F2024\u002F11\u002F20\u002Fstalker-2-heart-chornobyl-review-2024s-compelling-survival-game-experience-22029826\u002F","An inspired mix of first person shooter, role-playing game, and survival horror that offers up one of the most compelling, and interactive, open world environments this generation.","2025-01-26T16:23:57.73976-05:00",{"id":1053,"logo":1063,"name":1064,"slug":1065,"tags":42,"bluesky":26,"twitter":1066,"youtube":1067,"facebook":1068,"mastodon":26,"muckrack":26,"claimed_at":26,"description":1069,"website_url":1070,"score_format":46,"average_score":337,"default_timezone":48,"last_review_date":26,"stats_updated_at":79,"headquarters_city":26,"news_editor_email":26,"platforms_covered":26,"claimed_by_user_id":26,"reviews_this_month":17,"active_authors_count":17,"headquarters_country":26,"reviews_editor_email":26,"editor_in_chief_email":26,"published_authors_count":17,"published_reviews_count":17},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.criticdb.com\u002Fstorage\u002Fv1\u002Fobject\u002Fpublic\u002Favatars\u002FOutlets\u002FGameCentral-Logo.jpg","Metro GameCentral","metro-gamecentral","GameCentral","@GameCentralMetro","GamecentralMetro","The home of Metro's gaming news, features and reviews!","https:\u002F\u002Fmetro.co.uk\u002Fentertainment\u002Fgaming\u002F"]