In the shadow of Chernobyl, the Zone continues to evolve. GSC Game World has just announced the arrival of a major free update for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyldeployed on December 16, 2025 on Xbox, PC, and now PlayStation. Called “Untold Stories”, it offers an entirely new narrative arc made up of eight quests, seven new locations to explore, six unique characters, a new weapon, and a mysterious “creation hub”.
Enough to revive interest in this survival game hailed upon its release for its radical atmosphere, its immersive narration and its fidelity to the original universe of the saga.
A signal from the west: the enigma of Malachite
It all starts in the western area of the map, around the Malachite sector. Researchers there intercepted a strange signal jamming their communications. Stalkers exposed to this phenomenon report migraines, nosebleeds and even hallucinations.
Professor Medulin is leading the investigation, supported by Banzai, a radio enthusiast. But very quickly, their mission turns into a nightmare. Their distress call echoes throughout the Zone. It’s up to the player to follow the clues to the heart of the mystery, exploring places like the Red Forest or the sinister fairytale Pioneer Camp.
This new narrative arc promises several hours of play, with decisive choices, a heavy atmosphere, and non-linear progression faithful to the DNA of the series.
New places, new faces, a new weapon
The update adds seven distinct new environments, including the Old Red Forest Mine and a new rally point in the Scorched Forest. The latter includes a merchant, a reserve and a bed, precious elements for surviving in the Zone.
On the character side, six new figures with troubled pasts will enrich the game universe. Each offers secondary quests and specific interactions, reinforcing the RPG dimension of the title.
Finally, players will be able to get their hands on the GP37V2a modified version of the GP37 rifle, featuring an integrated silencer and a low-magnification scope. Ideal for stealth kills at medium distance.
A mysterious “creation hub” at the heart of the update
Little information has filtered out about this new feature called “creation hub”. This unique center could well constitute a future experimentation base for developers or an open door to content generated by the players themselves. For now, GSC Game World remains intentionally vague, leaving the community to theorize.
This kind of addition suggests that the studio is already thinking about the longevity of its game beyond classic story expansions.
GSC Game World, between loyalty and promises kept
Since its launch, STALKER 2 was able to meet the expectations of early fans. Despite a long development fraught with pitfalls, GSC Game World today delivers an experience that continues to expand for free.
With “Unpublished Stories”, the studio sends a strong signal: STALKER 2 is not a fixed project but a living world. This free content, far from being cosmetic, is part of a logic of service to the player, without microtransactions or pay barriers.
Feedback from fans has already been very positive. Between new quests, unexplored places, and disturbing stories to unravel, this update reinforces the feeling of belonging to a universe where every choice counts. A model that few studios manage to maintain without switching to the “games as a service” model.