Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl Xbox Review - Is It Worth Playing?

[@zupremo9141]

You said Veilgaurd have a exquisite dialogue, so I don't think you have credibility when it comes to story.

[@mariust6769]

LOL, TRUE

[@ttvReaper9064]

@@zupremo9141 deadass

[@THEYCANTSTOPME]

so youve experienced all the dialogue even BG3 has its shortcoming on dialogue but glazers are in full effect

[@teamnovember5594]

"This isn't about skill problems, or lack of ability!" 8:32 - *charges an enemy with 2 bullets in AR magazine.

[@tylerwhite4557]

cope it up brother

[@purexbox]

For the record, I recorded the gameplay, that's nothing to do with our reviewer PJ 😅 - Craig

[@ttvReaper9064]

@@teamnovember5594 *uses pistol when being attacked by the invisible mutant* 💀 how dudes got aks but they end up using pms

[@mexicotakot6166]

Try it on Game Pass before you buy.... My game lasted in my Series X for 2 days... its a confused total mess.

[@MrWhiteProductions]

Finally an honest review that doesn’t excuse the bugs poor performance issues. Idc how long you’ve waited for this game. This is an inexcusable release.

[@Peter_Midura]

I have a feeling that many other reviewers going easy on the game for obvious reasons.

[@mikeuk666]

​@@Peter_MiduraWord is the review copies that went out were missing a day 1 patch (Digital Foundry) 20hrs in here on series x in performance mode & honestly loving it

[@N4VYR3CON]

I mean they are in war?! Like real war

[@Peter_Midura]

@@N4VYR3CON yip

[@ItachisVow]

Its a review of console gamers bitching about things that have been present across all stalker games. Not to mention the people have lost so many of their team in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Its not like these are all problems that are also being left unnoticed as well, like issues AAA game studios just neglect because they don't care.

[@mt0068]

For all the bugs mentioned nothing about the aiming issue on Controllers that make the game unplayable. I wanted to give it a chance but combat is impossible to get right. Bugs are bad enough but something that is basically game breaking out of the box is unforgivable. Another big L for Game Pass day 1 access

[@proteus5100]

Over 1 million copies sold even being available on game pass 117,928 Peak players on steam Congratulations GSC Game World

[@AmateurTroll69]

1 million of how about much gamers around the world?

[@tylerwhite4557]

W scam

[@Bo12346hhgfgdg]

its single player so who cares. lol

[@ItachisVow]

​@@Bo12346hhgfgdgpeople who enjoy single player games. Not everyone likes sweating up a storm for no real reward other than validation from other people you don't even know. Multiplayer games have single player games to thank for even existing.

[@ja.935g67]

@@Bo12346hhgfgdg not every game needs to be multiplayer

[@mikeuk666]

Word is the review copies that went out were missing a day 1 patch (Digital Foundry) 20hrs in here on series x in performance mode & honestly loving it

[@danielmurdoch2625]

I got a gamepass... technically for free. I can see why its free. I'd be pissed if I paid full price! Come on devs... stop releasing garbage!

[@rachaelovvy]

Also really enjoyed your input and empathy at the end Craigo. I think when a review is as polarising as this one (even if it's true) it's always good to hear a second opinion. I hope they're able to fix the bugs and glitches quickly so we can focus on the magic!

[@OhTylerB]

After being stoked for this for so damn long, it's genuinely dreadful, despite the great atmosphere.

[@ItachisVow]

Its really not that bad😂

[@kwayvonbraxton-xh7rs]

Does anybody know how this game looks on the Xbox one I have a ps5

[@traxxtrace1145]

I'm using it on the cloud streaming on gamepass, it's not the prettiest, hard to see enemies past 40m and aiming has proven to be pretty hard, from someone who is fairly good at fps. But am slowly getting into it and enjoying it more as I go, had no bugs either

[@mikeuk666]

Been enjoying it in performance mode on series x. yes it drops frames in the towns but you're usual just walking about there.

[@Huwpaz]

Just a reminder: just because you don't agree with a review doesn't make it wrong. This is the reviewers truth of their time with the game, you're allowed to make your own. It's like people seem to have forgotten what reviewers/critics are, they're not here to remind you that you like something and nor are you entitled to a game you like getting a good review. Like a game that someone didn't? GREAT then crack on and keep playing it. Want to talk about it? ALSO GREAT, but don't expect everyone's opinion to reflect your own and respect that.

[@tylerwhite4557]

you’re wrong if you think this an acceptable state to release a game in that costs any amount of money

[@Huwpaz]

@@tylerwhite4557 I’m not sure I remember commenting on the state of the game. I’m talking purely about the reviewer’s words and how people seem to think a game has some right to be liked by everyone

[@Arkeis121]

Russki bot. ​@@JAMOfficiial

[@Paraludic]

I've only put about 5 hours into it so far, and I'm finding it hard to disagree with anything you said. The game mostly looks good. But there are a lot of weird lighting glitches going on, and god forbid you try and see enemies at night. I've also found a handful of artefacts by chance. Walking around until they appear onscreen is too much of a hassle, especially when they don't offer any meaningful bonus. They are useful to sell, though. I hate the mutants. They're not scary, they're just frustrating. Running away from them is the best way to deal with them. They stop following after a short distance. It's not like there's any reward for wasting all your ammo to kill them anyway. The game finally clicked for me during a large and tense firefight escaping an enemy base. Out maneuvering groups of enemies and taking them out with careful headshots felt satisfying. But then another group just appeared out of nowhere. I ended up bleeding out because I wasn't able to use a bandage for some reason. Doing the long fight was less fun the second time round.

[@krzysztofaleksandrowicz9200]

I disliked the game at first, but now I got hooked on it. I play on Series S and it's decent enough.

[@simonrockstream]

oof

[@chief8559]

@@simonrockstreamwhat oof lil bro?

[@jayhunt6199]

How is it with a controller for you? I am greatly struggling

[@Trey-ve6ys]

I can’t walk in a straight line and it’s like 25 fps on my series s

[@krzysztofaleksandrowicz9200]

@@Trey-ve6ys i walk straight and shoot straight. No idea why people say it has controller drift that makes it impossible to play. No idea how many fps it's got but it's stable. It has bad ghosting though and texture pop-ups. It also needs to get motion blur and maybe also better resolution. All of which can get patched and optimized I believe.

[@kivati]

Jaysus, I don't think you've ever played the first Stalker games. It feels the exact same, or better, with the potential to be brilliant.

[@gagedilley5238]

Maybe on PC... I have the first games installed currently on my console and can confirm with 100% certainty stalker 2 feels like dogshit in comparison while fighting

[@ProfessorChaos2050]

I’m enjoying my first experience with the franchise glad I got stalker 2 with xbox game pass ultimate on my xbox series x.🥂😎

[@cosmo.762]

Same dude boutta check it out

[@THEYCANTSTOPME]

you nailed it unlike MS and GSC they will pull a bethesda and depend on mods their first rollout will only break the console experience more as I can not imagine how dumb it would be to have perfect spawning and Alife but the stick drift bug persist making scopes obselete

[@ItachisVow]

Thats cap. They've already been releasing patches fixing various problems, and have already stated they're working on the Alife system as of right now. Not everyone who has a modding community is like Bethesda or bohemia😂

[@THEYCANTSTOPME]

@ you late asf man and what I wrote was more than valid 2 weeks ago they been fixed the stick drift and many issues that made the game unplayable

[@retroshade75]

I've been enjoying the game myself, only playing on Xbox as well, I split time between an X and an S actually. Played at only 30 fps as well even on the X in the quality mode and both versions have been okay, yes there are problems definitely especially with the deadzones on controller but the atmosphere is top notch and I've haven't had any major issues in my first 8 hours, it's rock hard but that's how stalker games have always been. It's all just opinions of course and there is still a lot of work to be done without doubt. Make your own mind up I'd say if you have game pass.

[@tylerwhite4557]

don’t even bother installing if you have game pass

[@ttvReaper9064]

@@tylerwhite4557 im assuming your bad at games?

[@gagedilley5238]

​@@ttvReaper9064man I personally have been playing shooters since like 6 years old and I've never played a game that felt worse in gunfights. It's not a reflection of skill to have your camera not do what you want it to because the Devs didn't play test console or give us a deadzone option to fix it

[@gagedilley5238]

​@@ttvReaper9064you can find very easily the vast majority of console users share the same opinion- it is currently almost unplayable due to the dead zone for sticks.

[@baughjaughes5104]

wow, pretty damning, worst game of the year??. doesnt seem like you are playing the same game as other reviewers?

[@mitchellsummers6709]

I don't think he is lol Really been enjoying it so far. Also, there was a day one patch that I'm not sure most reviewers got to check out. It fixed a lot of the issues present in several reviews

[@bringmemybow]

​@@JAMOfficiialeither that, or most people just like it... It's not that deep.

[@roywilson4514]

@@JAMOfficiialstarfield got very little bad reviews on release

[@LogicallyLost]

Right… I haven’t ran into any “game breaking” bugs…. It’s been pretty solid

[@mitchellsummers6709]

@@JAMOfficiial when we had games like Star Wars outlaws, dragon age, skull and bones, suicide squad, etc…..sorry, but this is leagues above those, even despite the performance issues that are in the process of being worked on

[@The_Sisyphean]

I’m loving STALKER 2. 10 hours (ish) in and I’ve encountered few bugs and nothing that has spoilt my enjoyment of the game.

[@purefoldnz3070]

after ten mins I uninstalled it, havent played a game that bad in a long time.

[@teamnovember5594]

I'm maybe 4 hours in, and haven't encountered many issues, either. I know devs sometimes make sure the beginning of the game is the most polished, and was wondering whether things would start falling apart as I play. But from what I've heard Xbox players seem to be having a better time with it.

[@tylerwhite4557]

@@teamnovember5594they aren’t. There’s not even an xbox version, it’s just a straight up PC port. Now we know why it released on gamepass.

[@gagedilley5238]

​@@teamnovember5594I'm curious where you have seen that Xbox people are having a good time with this game 😂 I have seen maybe 10 at most out of thousands of peoples posts that are having a good time on Xbox.

[@AA35bucuk]

It is unplayable at the moment. I rarely quit a game 2 hours in but i did. Its not even the drifitng aim (which is a joke) but on Series S, enemies cannot be seen, its so cheap or undone. Visibility is below zero indoor places, shadows on walls looks like dirt. Cant believe all the other reviews who gave 5+ to this game, they must be scared of the fanbase so they gave bulls*t high scores. But this behaviour is manipulating all other players, shame on them. Kudos to Pure Xbox for their honesty.

[@rachaelovvy]

Ah, such a shame! I know PJ was really looking forward to this one so it must feel so disappointing. In any case, I really respect the honesty, even if it might not be an opinion people want to hear!

[@mikeuk666]

Just try it yourself. Been enjoying it myself

[@danielmurdoch2625]

This game has been in development for over 10 yrs! You'd think they would have gotten it right before they launched!

[@stickydude8921]

I agree with most of this review, even if it's harsh. It feels like a really bad game from 15 years ago that was ported to UE5 and left unoptimized. All it does is make me want to play Metro or even the remastered trilogy instead. I'm surprised how many ukrainian psychofans defending this game are out there telling me that it's this is justified "because war". No, it's not, they're selling this game. Not to mention, there's no deadzone settings for the controller and by default there's no deadzone at all, making it unplayable for some.

[@tylerwhite4557]

thankyou

[@zolanilla]

some people don’t get it because they never played stalker shadow of Chernobyl back in the day. yeah its different times but you’re supposed to deliver the same essence of the game or stronger, not weaker. you’re better off playing stalker gamma or any other modded version. stalker trilogy and shadow of Chernobyl runs BEAUTIFULLY on the series x/s on xbox.

[@Arkeis121]

Yeah. I feel like people are complaining about some stuff that us old school fans call features.

[@brokentv1855]

Definitely not beautiful on the s

[@ManofOneGod]

I can't stomach anymore of this atmosphere after playing all Metro series. Time to move on.

[@danielmurdoch2625]

Why do the zombies look identical to the night zombies on Dying Light 2? No originality guys!

[@Episode_13]

This guy clearly doesn't have a clue, wow, I can't believe this opening statements here, wtf is happening with PURE XBOX, reviews are subjective of course, but Jesus this guy is way over the top! Ignore this review, seems like he's playing an early build or just isn't a fan!!

[@dean_dv]

Unfortunately it seems like it should be an early access game but is a full price retail release. Amazing, the devs have got it out the door but it's clearly not finished, I know most games are that way nowadays but this is even worse than usual.

[@MicrobiusBlue]

He let slip on the site itself in the comments his review was based on the pre patch version

[@tylerwhite4557]

@Episode_13 is a dev and he’s lying lol

[@dean_dv]

@MicrobiusBlue Has the reviewer tried to conceal the fact it is an early build? Even if so, they are reviewing the game with a code given by the dev, if the game is unfinished and broken I'm assuming that's the version on the disc for people who are buying the physical release.

[@MicrobiusBlue]

@@dean_dv He said on the site itself in the comment section that towards the end of his playthrough he had the patch so no he hasn't concealed it.. he still based his review on the pre patch version though which is unfair he should have at least played a little more to give a review based on the release version...that aside though I agree with op that the reviewer went way over the top with it...even the guy reading it distanced himself from it saying my experience with the game was better than our lads here

[@mitchellsummers6709]

"Worst things we've played this console generation..." !!?!?? Uhmm.....sorry, kinda lost credibility with this one. Iv'e been playing for around 15hours or so and had zero crashes, zero game breaking bugs, and decent performance, not to mention a TON of fun. Great atmosphere, decent story, and most importantly...STALKER to the core. Real fans know....

[@BeyondImmortal5513]

I'm new to this franchise, and I'm not usually a fan of this type of game, but I was hooked just from the first three hours. Very good game so far.

[@ChanthologyInc]

I wish this was true for me. Wasted 142 GB of service. Hopefully it's better in a few weeks or months for me.

[@BeyondImmortal5513]

@ChanthologyInc apparently the devs have a site dedicated to taking feedback on issues with the game, and they're responding to people, so hopefully, things overall improve sooner than later

[@ChanthologyInc]

@@BeyondImmortal5513 Yeah I seen that but it'll probably be a bit before it gets to the point I'd play it.

[@mitchellsummers6709]

@@JAMOfficiial idk what controller you’re playing on, but my controller doesn’t have nearly as much stick drift as you’re describing. I agree, the game is not perfect, but to be so “ignorant” to quit a game after ten minutes and claim it’s a 0/10 is just bonkers haha. Sounds like you also have some bias of your own, and I’m sorry that you felt the game wasn’t worth your time. Fortunately for the rest of us, it is, and we’re having a blast. Hope you enjoy whatever game you currently switched over to. Have a nice day

[@Dt-775]

Im enjoying this game so far, very atmospheric world, challenging gunplay, beautiful graphics, 10 hours in game i haven't had anything immersion breaker glitches or bugs, im getting fps drops here and there on performance mode, textures glitches as well, when watching this review i feel like reviewer played completely different game, maybe it was before day one patch review who knows🤷

[@gagedilley5238]

Idk being shot through walls after silently repositioning 35M away from the enemies seems pretty immersion breaking. Or the stalkers who are supposed to be looting to just survive out here having an endless supply of grenades to throw with 100% accuracy like some MLB star.

[@jacksonmaxwell157]

I am thoroughly enjoying this game on series s no fucking problems here i dont understand its awesome

[@denniscool6224]

Too dark I spent more time fixing the brightness than playing lol but I don’t know if I’d call it the worst game of the year lol.

[@elgamer5366]

We get it you don't like the game. Jeez

[@germangamer2976]

So you didn't like it?

[@TheJms1977]

Really that bad? over 31000 mostly positive reviews on steam i get it theres a lot of bugs but this review seems harsh

[@CRASHZERO411-r9d]

I got video game collections and pick ups videos coming 2025

[@detritiv0re144]

I'll just play Call of Pripyat on my Switch until this gets sorted in a year or two.

[@cwalser544]

The stamina system oh God..... Awful. It's like Morrowind unmoded.

[@simonrockstream]

You sound like someone who would give Dragon Age Veilguard a 10/10

[@osrthejourney]

Because he doesn’t like it? Get over yourself. Plenty of bad reviews on this. Did you watch skill ups take. And no he did NOT recommend dragon age.

[@cantgameright]

Hmmm interesting. I've had a pretty good time so far. Just one bad bug in 15 hours, rare performance hitches, and none of the skill issues 😉. Sucks that the reviewer didn't like it. A re-review of the launch version might be in order. But I think it's important to stress that novices should play on the novice difficulty just because a lot of newbies will flood into the zone not knowing what to expect.

[@addaedans]

Never playes Stalker, started on Stalker difficulty and doing great...I died a lot but listen for everything, look for every resource and supply and take the threats serious. Currently have 15 med kits and 20 bandages and a lot of vodka😅 Did not find any bugs and on VRR the game feels okay.

[@cantgameright]

@addaedans forget the vodka. If you have antirad meds vodka is just dead weight.

[@addaedans]

@cantgameright Yeah i have that too but only 2 and i did not check the weights yet as always was in the green. Also just started checking ammo types and ammo change for armor piercing and upgrade my weapons a bit...lot to learn S.T.A.l.K.E.R🫡

[@cantgameright]

​@@addaedans A couple of weeks later I've been wondering how you're faring for some reason 😂

[@addaedans]

@@cantgameright Did not have time and energy playing but I got stuck on a main mission where you should "sneak". Will wait for some patches to be playable 🤣

[@purefoldnz3070]

is it worth playing? not in its current state.

[@thatboyflako214]

Yes sir I've got over 40 hours on the Xbox series x and it hasn't crashed on me once still havent ran into any game breaking bugs the gunplay feels good I be hitting nothing but headshots

[@purefoldnz3070]

@@thatboyflako214 40 hours? didnt it just launch

[@thatboyflako214]

@@purefoldnz3070 it launched on Wednesday lil bro called in sick that for work and still got paid for the day lol made $250 while staying home playing Stalker

[@thatboyflako214]

@@purefoldnz3070 it launched on Wednesday lil bro I called in sick that day and still got paid for the day lol made $250 staying home playing Stalker all day the game is addicting gunplay is nice 👍

[@crocodilegamingtv1178]

Thank you for your honesty.

[@mikeysaint4368]

Is "illegally invaded" what the government approved news tells you happened in Ukraine? I suggest looking for more reliable sources. Thanks, though, for an honest take on the game. I also liked your honesty re. Open Road, which is refreshing for single-console reviews channels. The ones I've seen for PS5, and Nintendo Switch in particular, bend over backwards to try to tell us that every game on those consoles is great, or incredible.

[@crazedxfighter]

Yeah i refunded my copy. Maybe I'll be back in 2 years

[@purefoldnz3070]

I uninstalled after 10 mins

[@valentinmosu]

Thank you for review, but I love this franchise and I LOVE this game!

[@TheGreatCharlie123]

This is exatly what I wanted to see. People speaking the truth! I just refunded the game... The entire map is empty guys there are no enemies anywhere... they spawn in (in predetermined areas) right next to you (10-20m tops). You don't see enemies in the distance or anything. you see an empty outpost you go near it and you hear "DAWAI!! GRENATE!!" and a grenade lands next to you out of nowhere and you die, because some of them spawned outside where you came from xD It' ridiculous. Will rebuy if and when the problems are fixed.

[@purefoldnz3070]

yeah, sadly its pretty bad

[@HitchHikersBlues]

What a shame... I loved the first one for all its bugs. The atmosphere was incredible. But this looks a bit shit.

[@MikeG.666]

Well. For me its either this or another season of Diablo. Ill give it a go.

[@fogstorm5531]

So much potential

[@MicrobiusBlue]

The review is an absolute joke the game is really good, glad Craigo distanced himself from it at the end

[@bassdojo]

Thanks, saved my ca$h for other games on my list!

[@cwalser544]

It does suck. Truly. Gunplay is atrocious. The missions are trash that lead you into the woods just to die from 22 dogs even on easy mode. The economy is disgusting, one half of a mission eats up all your bullets. The mutants never die and turn invisible for no reason. And the unreal engine can't even handle it for some reason. Maybe the memory is the problem but it runs like a clown car on hamburger wheels. This game has potential. But it's like Todd Howard designed the loot system personally. Over encumbered at lvl 1 is a joke. I give it a 5/10. Get the dumb restrictions out of this game, and it would be a 8/10.

[@thatboyflako214]

To anyone reading this don't listen to this reviewer this game is addicting and a lot of fun I've clocked in over 40 hours on the Xbox series X and the game runs just fine hasn't crashed once on me and haven't ran into any game breaking bugs this game is very playable

[@gagedilley5238]

Not exactly playable when the AI have wallhacks and almost 100% accuracy brother

[@ttvReaper9064]

9:07 Skill issue. Guaranteed

[@purexbox]

For the record, I recorded the gameplay, that's nothing to do with our reviewer PJ 😅 - Craig

[@ttvReaper9064]

@ i didnt see a problem with the gameplay, the review was weak though

[@Bo12346hhgfgdg]

wow, you really hate games! lol. Im 4 hours in and absolutely loving this game.

[@Chris-rf6xj]

I’m with you PJ, the writing is absolutely not on par with DA The Veilguard. But that was just “exquisite”😏.

[@Maartwo]

You gave a 9 to Starfield lol

[@johnnygreene4658]

I'm seeing a lot of people loving it...I'm confused.

[@gagedilley5238]

Me too. I'm not sure how people enjoy aimbot AI and being attacked through walls and solid objects. You can stealth kill someone and another enemy on a completely different floor can aggro onto your exact position. It's so fucked

[@gagedilley5238]

Whether they are having the stick issues or not, I'm not sure how they just ignore that honestly. Or the grenade spamming. It's completely out of hand

[@GazaWest]

wow, what a pants review, kind of par for the course with this channel..and clearly not fans of the original..

[@adriel115_]

there is no alife 2.0..

[@fogstorm5531]

Agree 109%

[@Alex89y]

Country “illegally invaded” 😂😂😂 Ok. Say thanks to US now

[@brokentv1855]

How does one legally invade?

[@juny178]

Start the game in other difficult. Not easy🤦🏾‍♂️

[@jcallenmusic]

Uninstalled it.....after about 20 minutes....this game sucks balls

[@italianrager5831]

20fps lmfao yeah nah

[@IncitingTheShrew]

“This review was sponsored by Russia”

[@fogstorm5531]

Too big and fickle

[@JoeyGambelli]

So glad i didn't buy a console just to play this trash Seriously i was gonna buy a new Xbox one just to play this game... Sucks we can never get a normal non micro sales pop culture filled game.. Messed up Metro Exodus Fallout 4 And now stalker 2... Dying light 2 is the only one who did ok... In the end we have to wait till the end to get the END

[@Episode_13]

Please please ignore this review, clueless!!

[@OhTylerB]

And I suppose you would say it's fantastic and we should all think you're some kind of gaming God who's opinion is the only one that matters?

[@mitchellsummers6709]

@@OhTylerBisn’t that what you’re doing? Acting like your opinion is the only one that matters?

[@gagedilley5238]

​@@mitchellsummers6709not really. Most people are not very happy with the current state bro. You're in the minority here

[@OhTylerB]

@@mitchellsummers6709 Cry more, kid.

[@ej732]

Watched people play this for two weeks, thought Id give it a shot, what a waste of money. Game is fucking garbage.

[@OldSchoolDo]

you referred to * we* many times .. this game is amazing .. bad review

[@purexbox]

Aye, We, Pure Xbox - Craig

[@Farius]

how much did russians pay?

[@dkdklimas]

Dump review

[@OhTylerB]

Fanboy is hurting.

[@Original_Edition]

Oof

[@alexandrahaukaas2609]

Огляд проплачено кцпами

[@pletwalwielki]

This game is one big failure...

[@PabloEscobar-sg3hq]

Game sucks loos so dated

[@Jahuu78]

Be highly skeptical of this review. It is the same channel / guy who rated the woke shitshow of a game dragon age the veilguard is a 9/10. I am playing Stalker 2 on the series x and it is amazing. There is a great game here and devs will fix the bugs.

[@gagedilley5238]

That's the point, the bugs need fixed and there is a LOT of them. It's unacceptable for how long we all waited for this shit to release. And to be missing standard options for controller users is just lazy. It's almost 2025 and apparently the devs haven't figured out console users need deadzones and AI shouldn't be shooting with pinpoint accuracy through walls.

[@lucassebastien9563]

Pure hater now.

[@mattjones9535]

This review screams simp, needing hand holding. Dive in and explore

[@mariust6769]

Absolute awful experience atm, but it's still better than Dragon Age.

[@kylehowell7533]

This game really is boring and every mission is tedious and poorly designed.