So, the day has finally arrived. After a lengthy wait, and probably a lot of rumors about wrong release dates, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, is now playable on PlayStation 5. No, this is not fiction. The Zone has been opened on the console from Sony for someone to come and appall it, and the gamers’ reaction has been… Say that it has been a huge thing.
PlayStation’s announcement was made through a short, somewhat ominous tweet: “The Zone awaits ☢️.” This tweet was the only thing that came along with a link and a photo. However, very often the messages that are the simplest turn out to be the biggest in impact. And what about replies? They are an extravagant mix of excitement, disbelief, and polar states of emotions. It’s somewhat like a microcosm of the whole gaming internet condensed into one thread.
First of all, there are the hardcore fans who just can’t wait to dive into the toxic soil. The user ‘kingscrown’ put it very well when he declared: “omg now i know what i will be doing tonight, stalker 1 is one of my fav games ever.” That’s what the mood is like. That unrestrained, raw exhilaration of people who have remained loyal to this brand through its hard times and good times. ‘BLOCKXS.COM’ was just about to “explore the chaos,” and honestly, so was I. It’s such a feel-good atmosphere that it hardly matters whether it’s the launch day or not.
Nonetheless, the other side of the coin is always there. The media purists of the physical kind came together and voiced their complaints loudly. There is no doubt that they were totally and completely unhappy. A number of users, among whom were ‘MetroidFREAK21’ and ‘Everything I Say Is A Joke,’ all pointed out the same deal-breaker situation: “Not a full on disc release… no thanks” and “Not fully on disc. No thanks.” That is a debate that will not die. In a time when your game may possibly require a 50GB day-one patch anyway, the line of what is “on the disc” is becoming increasingly blurred, but for some collectors, it is a matter of principle. It is a valid argument, even though it is a bit of a downer for them not to be able to take part in the fun.
Next is the group of people who have never played the earlier games and are simply curious. ‘Ania’ immediately inquired, “Looks like an interesting game. Never played the 1st one. Would you recommend?” This is the most fantastic thing about a new release on a new platform—it always attracts a new audience. This is the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. community’s time to expand, to persuade the new players why this weird, janky, atmospheric series has such a dedicated following.
While we are on the subject of setting, one user, ‘nat die’, made a very smart comment that to some degree reveals the essence of what keeps S.T.A.L.K.E.R. alive: “Feels like the kind of launch where atmosphere carries everything. If the tension and immersion hit right, it’s already a win for the series fans.” And they are spot on. This is not a brand recognized for its extra smooth playability and most refined gunplay. It is all about the atmosphere. The sensation of being in a spot that is both unusual and lethal. If the sequel manages to bring back that sense of terror and discovery, gamers will easily ignore many other imperfections.
Pardon me, what was I talking about? Oh yes, the mess. The replies also included some… unusual crossover fans. Some accounts that were solely focused on GTA V modding and services started to chat about how the Zone needs “mod shops” and were comparing the anomaly-proof rides and modded cars in Los Santos. It was… weird. But wasn’t it as well somewhat humorous? It’s like the two completely different gaming worlds came together in one comment section. Only on Twitter, folks.
Another thing that was very predictable was the ridicule of console war, where ‘Ghost’ just casually said “Xbox is dead.” Of course. You cannot plan a big multiplatform release without at least one of those happening.
What then is the final verdict from social media’s digital battlegrounds? It is a mix, but with a very strong inclination towards the positive side. The enthusiasm of the fans who have been waiting is very much alive. The inquisitiveness of the new players is noticeable. The grievances, although legitimate for these people, are not shared by the majority. The prevailing feeling is that a beloved, cult-classic series has just been given a huge new life through the porting to PS5. Players are donning their suits, grabbing their Geiger counters, and the PlayStation community is buzzing.
