Summary
- STALKER: Legends of the Zone – Enhanced Edition releases on May 20.
- The next-gen update for the original STALKER trilogy will be available on the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
- The upcoming patch promises a variety of multi-platform and system-specific improvements that are largely visual in nature.
STALKER: Legends of the Zone is getting an Enhanced Edition, which is set to hit the market on May 20, GSC Game World has announced. The bundle will offer fans a chance to revisit the original STALKER trilogy while enjoying some key improvements.
GSC shadow-dropped the original version of STALKER: Legends of the Zone in early March 2024, when the bundle materialized on the Xbox and PlayStation Stores. Eight months later, the tri-pack was also ported to the Nintendo Switch, hitting the eShop on November 1. GSC subsequently revealed that a next-gen update for the bundle was in the works, announcing it as part of its year-end message to fans.
STALKER 2 Reaches Impressive Player Milestone
Developer GSC Game World announces an incredible new feat for FPS horror STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, celebrating a new player milestone.
The new and improved version of STALKER: Legends of the Zone has now received a release date—May 20. GSC will market it as the Enhanced Edition of the bundle. The developer also shared a new trailer for the next-gen patch, which seeks to illustrate some of the key improvements that the upcoming update is set to introduce.
STALKER: Legends of the Zone Enhanced Edition Promises Visual Upgrades and More
Legends of the Zone – Enhanced Edition promises to treat the first three STALKER games to a series of visual upgrades, including screen space reflections and global illumination. It will also introduce godrays, also known as crepuscular rays, visible beams of sunlight that radiate through foliage and objects. This set of enhancements promises to deliver a significantly more immersive atmosphere. In terms of other novelties, the Enhanced Edition of the STALKER trilogy will offer upscaled textures and more detailed 3D models for weapons and NPCs. New water shaders will also be part of the package, together with 4K cinematics.
STALKER: Legends of the Zone – Enhanced Edition will also feature better skyboxes. While GSC didn't elaborate on the matter, the promise of skybox improvements could suggest higher-resolution textures, improved lighting integration, support for volumetric effects, greater draw distances, dynamic environmental changes, or a combination of these features. Additionally, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game(s) will get new graphics modes. The Quality preset will target 30 frames per second at a 4K resolution, while its Balanced counterpart will raise the frame rate target to 40fps. Performance and Ultra Performance modes will also be part of the package, targeting upscaled 4K/60fps and 2K/120fps, respectively.
The Switch version of STALKER: Legends of the Zone unsurprisingly doesn't qualify for the free next-gen patch. However, it's still unclear whether the upcoming Switch 2 will be compatible with the Enhanced Edition of the bundle.
STALKER: Legends of the Zone – Enhanced Edition Features
Visual Upgrades (all platforms)
- Enhanced lighting with godrays, screen space reflections, and global illumination for a more immersive atmosphere.
- Upscaled textures and detailed 3D models for NPCs, weapons, and environments.
- Advanced shaders for water and wetness effects, paired with upgraded skyboxes for a more dynamic world.
- 4K pre-rendered cinematics for dramatic storytelling and improved weapon FOV for better combat visibility.
Console Enhancements and New Graphic Mods (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S)
- Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro: Quality (native 4K/30 FPS), Balanced (upscaled 4K/40 FPS), Performance (upscaled 4K/60 FPS), Ultra Performance (upscaled 2K/120 FPS).
- Xbox Series S: Quality (native 2K/30 FPS), Balanced (upscaled 2K/40 FPS), Performance (1080p/60 FPS).
- Keyboard & Mouse Support: Available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S for a tailored experience.
- Mod.io Integration: Create and share mods across PC and consoles via mod.io
PC Features
- Steam Deck Optimized: Play the trilogy on the go with full Steam Deck compatibility.
- Steam Workshop Integration: Access a vast library of user-generated mods.
- Cloud Saves: Seamless progress backup across devices.
- Gamepad Support: Full controller compatibility for a console-like experience on PC.
- Released
- February 2, 2010
- ESRB
- M // Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- GSC Game World
- Publisher(s)
- GSC Game World, Deep Silver, bitComposer Games
- Engine
- x-ray engine, proprietary engine
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
