STALKER 2's difficulty is a double-edged sword

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The STALKERS The series is known for not compromising when it comes to difficulty. Actually, STALKERSThe high level of difficulty was one of the biggest appeals when the series debuted in 2007. Players were simply thrown into the post-apocalyptic zone and left to explore the treacherous wasteland on their own. Although the experience was difficult, it offered more freedom than players of the time were used to. STALKERS 2 takes a very similar approach.




As anyone who has even played the 30 minute prologue knows, STALKERS 2 can be a very difficult game. Even on the game's lowest difficulty, surviving the Zone won't be a walk in the park as almost everything out there wants the player dead. But that high level of difficulty is a key part of what makes it tick STALKERS 2 Such an unforgettable, unique experience is sometimes the cause of real frustration.

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STALKER 2's high difficulty level has both advantages and disadvantages

STALKER 2's higher difficulty level results in intense, unforgettable battles

On regular difficulty and above, STALKERS 2The enemies can kill the player with just a few shots. While the player can find more durable armor, just a few bullets can bring their marauding career to an abrupt end. But what does STALKERS 2The combat is so compelling that the enemies suffer from the same vulnerability.


Every firefight in there STALKERS 2 quickly becomes a bitter battle of life and death. Just one or two well-placed shots mean the difference between the player running away with all of their hard-earned loot or ending up in an early grave, and this constant tension is key STALKERS 2The intoxicatingly oppressive atmosphere.

The player who barely makes it out every time makes a big contribution to success STALKERS 2The combat feels worthwhile and worthwhile. This high level of difficulty during combat also helps immerse the player even deeper into the game STALKERS 2s setting, as players are often shown first-hand how inhospitable the zone is.

STALKER 2's higher difficulty level encourages a distinct play style

STALKERS 2The increased difficulty also affects gameplay outside of combat. Before heading back into the Zone to face the many horrors, players are strongly advised to thoroughly prepare for the difficult encounters ahead. Players must repair weapons, buy ammunition and upgrade armor to better deal with the threats outside. And to buy all of this, players need cash, which can only be found in the zone and therefore provides energy STALKERS 2is the satisfying gameplay loop.


STALKER 2's occasionally unfair enemy design can lead to frustration

But STALKERS 2The difficulty level is not quite perfectly balanced. In addition to human enemies, players will encounter a variety of mutants and other monsters in the zone. In general, most of these mutated enemies are bullet sponges, often requiring over 100 shots to eliminate. This increased health pool isn't necessarily a bad thing, as killing one of these monsters feels like an almost superhuman feat.

But that's not the case STALKERS 2are invisible enemies. Occasionally, players will be confronted with a completely invisible mutant that is still capable of dealing dangerous amounts of damage. The Bloodsucker mutant type is encountered by players for the first time in STALKERS 2The prologue is an example of invulnerability well done, as he has to break stealth to attack the player, giving them the opportunity to retaliate.


Dealing with the poltergeist mutant type is much more frustrating. Completely invisible except for a very faint glow, STALKERS 2It is incredibly difficult to keep track of the poltergeist, especially in dark environments. The Poltergeist may not deal as much damage as other mutant types, but its ability to throw objects at the player is still impressive and can just as easily result in a quick death that feels a lot less fair.

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