Full of DLC and extended stories already for certain editions, many players have been discussing the decisions that GSC Game World developers made for the type of game that STALKER 2 has 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 in STALKER 2.
As one of the only new-concept survival horror games, it is surprising that STALKER 2 lacks 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 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 in STALKER 2. This de-emphasis on crafting makes STALKER 2 a 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 like STALKER 2, as there comes a point where it is no longer fun to hunt one part for a story-required upgrade.
The closest things STALKER 2 has to crafting are adding attachments to weapons, and upgrades to gear; the latter is simply traded for Coupons at a Technician.
STALKER 2 gives 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 to sell 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 2 still 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. STALKER has 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 that STALKER 2 feels like it is strictly missing features, but playing feels like returning to a sense of home. Busted weapons are not always causes for scavenging; taking a good or unique STALKER 2 weapon to 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 that STALKER 2 has 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 2 keeps it simple in the best way possible: the entire point is to just survive. These classic systems that were introduced with the original STALKER, 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 the STALKER franchise, 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 headaches and arguments with other players over what resources should be saved. Unfortunately, this has become the standard, but STALKER 2 provides 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 in STALKER 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 Chornobyl promotes 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
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- Top Critic Avg: 75/100 Critics Rec: 63%
- Released
- November 20, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Intense Violence, Blood, Use Of Drugs And Alcohol, Language, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- GSC Game World
- Publisher(s)
- GSC Game World
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
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.
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
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