A recently surfaced leak suggests that a collection of console games may include the initial three titles from the beloved STALKER series. The highly anticipated next installment, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, is expected to release later in 2024.
The original STALKER games, launched in the late 2000s, have amassed a dedicated following despite their reputation for being buggy and unpredictable. In 2021, GSC Game World, a Ukrainian game developer, proudly announced that its iconic shooters, lauded for their complexity and immersive atmosphere, had reached a remarkable milestone of 15 million copies sold globally. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as the games have historically been exclusive to PC, but it seems that the STALKER universe is finally expanding to consoles.
Main retailers in Japan, such as Rakuten and Bic Camera, have started to accept pre-orders for a game titled STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy for the Sony PlayStation 4. While the listings do not explicitly confirm that the release includes the first three titles in the franchise – STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, STALKER: Clear Sky, and STALKER: Call of Pripyat – the description on Rakuten's page hints at the inclusion of these acclaimed STALKER games, often heralded as some of the finest post-apocalyptic gaming experiences.
STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy Launch Details
- Launch Date: June 27, 2024
- Platform: PS4
- Price: 6,578 Yen ($44)
Priced at 6,578 Yen, approximately $44, STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy is slated for release on June 27, while STALKER 2 is set to debut on September 5 for PC and Xbox Series X/S. The latter will also be accessible through the Xbox Game Pass subscription but encountered delays due to the conflict in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. GSC Game World relocated its headquarters to the Czech Republic amidst the turmoil, with reports of at least one former developer from the studio tragically losing their life in the conflict.
STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy might make an appearance at the Xbox Partner Preview event on March 6 alongside STALKER 2. The event promises sneak peeks of numerous upcoming titles for PC, Xbox, and Xbox Game Pass. Confirmed titles to be showcased include Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, and The First Berserker: Khazan.
Past trailers for STALKER 2 have given fans a glimpse of the game's gameplay powered by Unreal Engine 5, showcasing familiar STALKER elements like anomalies and mutants.