S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2's 'Untold Stories' Patch Arrives Early, Delivering 5+ Hours of New Gameplay and Story

Unexpected 'Untold Stories' Content Patch Drops for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Offering 5+ Hours of New Gameplay

GSC Game World has surprised the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. community with the sudden release of the 'Untold Stories' content patch. Initially rumored for a December 18th debut, this substantial update arrived earlier than anticipated, showering players with over five hours of fresh gameplay and narrative content.

A Descent into Mysterious Afflictions Near Malachite

The 'Untold Stories' patch plunges players into a chilling new storyline revolving around enigmatic events unfolding near the Malachite location. These unsettling phenomena manifest in disturbing ways, inducing severe headaches, nosebleeds, and disorienting hallucinations among unsuspecting stalkers. This narrative thread is intricately woven with the game's most clandestine cache within the Zone, a secret that was first hinted at in patch 1.6.

Embarking on a Perilous Expedition

To uncover the truth behind these escalating troubles, players can intercept an urgent distress call from scientists, accessible from virtually any point on the map, though most frequently emanating from the Scorched Forest. This call initiates a chain of events revealing why a scientific expedition went so disastrously awry. The newly introduced narrative arc boasts an impressive array of new content, including eight distinct missions, seven novel locations to explore, six new characters to interact with, three unique items to discover, a special weapon, and a dynamic hub within the Zone itself.

Reshaping the Zone: From Desolation to a Thriving Hub

Areas previously choked with rusted debris and teeming with mutated creatures are now becoming magnets for determined stalkers, drawn by the allure of new opportunities. Depending on the player's choices and the unfolding events, there's even a possibility of establishing a player-driven hub in the Scorched Forest. Such an outcome would breathe new life into the region, fostering a more vibrant and populated ecosystem. However, the path forward is not set in stone; player agency is paramount, as the narrative can diverge significantly based on crucial decisions made along the way.

A Modified Arsenal: The GP37V2 Emerges

Among the new discoveries is a formidable modified version of the GP37 rifle, christened the GP37V2. This upgraded firearm comes equipped with an integrated suppressor for stealthy engagements, a scope offering moderate zoom capabilities, and a re-engineered trigger mechanism that allows for precise three-round burst fire. Acquiring this potent weapon is tied to completing one of the new missions, rewarding dedicated players with enhanced combat prowess.

Streamlining Survival: Enhanced Save System for Elite Difficulty

In a move designed to cater to the hardcore player base, GSC has significantly eased the saving system for the game's highest difficulty settings, 'Master' and 'Expedition' modes. Players can now opt to enable manual saves once per game session via the menu. This unlocks the convenience of quick saving (F5) and traditional save-through-menu functionality. Activating this option also introduces a visible change to the progress display within the pause menu, offering a clearer indication of saved states.

Technical Refinements and Bug Fixes

Beyond the new content, 'Untold Stories' brings welcome technical improvements. GSC has addressed a persistent bug that caused multiple artifacts to spawn in the same location, along with optimizing mutant models for better performance. The behavior of NPCs during emissions has been fine-tuned, and the overwhelming density of mutants on the Garbage heap has been reduced. Furthermore, the patch introduces DualSense controller support for PC players and rectifies an issue where the coveted 'Heart of Chornobyl' artifact could incorrectly appear in unintended locations.

GSC Game World reminds players that, as with most significant updates, 'Untold Stories' may potentially disrupt existing mod installations. For any necessary assistance, players are encouraged to reach out to the support team.