Major Patch 1.1 is here!

As the festive season approaches, we’re excited to unveil Patch 1.1, the inaugural significant update for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. This patch rectifies over 1,800 issues, featuring the first set of A-Life enhancements.

We acknowledge the considerable patch size and anticipate that downloading might take a while. We appreciate your patience and will continue striving to streamline this process. Now, let us commence.

• Corrected the spawning issue of NPCs unexpectedly appearing behind players.
• NPCs are now more frequently encountered roaming the Zone.
• Significantly improved the visibility range of A-Life NPCs.
• Resolved issues where aggressive optimization prevented A-Life NPCs from existing outside the player’s visual range.
  • In offline mode, A-Life NPCs will now continue their objectives over time.
  • Players can now have more opportunities to encounter familiar A-Life NPCs by following their paths.
• Improved offline navigation for A-Life NPCs using GameGraph (global AI navigation map):
  • Fixed various pathfinding issues where NPCs couldn’t reach their goals.
  • Addressed several problems with NPCs being stuck between online and offline states.
• Enhanced A-Life NPCs’ motivation to expand territories and actively engage with adversaries.
• Rectified issues that caused fewer than intended encounters with A-Life NPCs.
• Refined contextual actions for smooth transitions between online and offline states for NPCs involved in these actions.
• The diversity of groups exploring the Zone has been increased regarding possible factions and group sizes.
• Fixed the issue where human NPCs didn’t fulfill communication needs while roaming the Zone.

Additional development improvements have been implemented.

• Reduced the summoning frequency and increased the interval for Pseudodog phantom spawns.
• Resolved a visual glitch where zombies’ limbs would contort when knocked down.
• Fixed a problem where large mutants would hide behind inadequate cover like small trees.
• Addressed issues with mutant limbs stretching when shot at with automatics.
• Fixed repeated bloody visual effects after a Rat dies from a grenade.
• Corrected a problem where NPCs would quickly detect a crouching player.
• Resolved an issue where NPCs would go through doors without opening them.
• Rectified the controller issue taking control over main story NPCs.
• Fixed Chimera attempting to navigate through narrow passages rather than setting up ambushes.
• Resolved NPC teleportation into restricted areas like safe zones.
• Fixed issues where covered mutants didn’t change positions after taking damage.
• Corrected visual effects for Burer’s telepathic powers.
• Minor adjustments to NPCs’ combat behavior when shooting from cover.
• Fixed animation issues with Burer’s object-throwing.
• Addressed NPC idleness and refusal to initiate mission-related dialogue.
• Fixed mutants continuing targeting knocked-down zombies.
• Resolved problems with NPCs becoming stuck in aiming animation.
• Corrected the replaying of death animation for NPCs resurrected as zombies.
• Fixed issues with neutral NPCs not turning hostile upon being attacked with melee weapons.
• Addressed defective NPC arm animations during shooting.
• Improved combat experience and NPC pathfinding in large battles with numerous cadavers.
• Fixed the ability for the player to eliminate the chimera using carousel anomaly.
• Resolved clipping issues with NPCs shooting from cover.
• Minor enhancements in NPC peaceful behaviors.
• Corrected NPC behavior to cease combat upon emission commencement.
• Fixed certain mutants’ inability to leap off obstacles.
• Resolved NPC immobilization after emissions.
• Fixed bandit behaviors post-emission during the Bullseye mission.
• Corrected NPC teleportation issues stemming from route-building failures.
• Addressed an issue preventing NPC dialogue post-loading a save.
• Fixed mutant bodies projecting distances post-shotgun kills.

Additionally, over 50 more minor “anomalies” have been fixed.

• Increased rewards for specific missions.
• Fixed the issue causing artifacts with Physical Protection effects to provide maximum benefits.
• Adjusted the “Goldfish” artifact value to 14,000 coupons.
• Fixed the infinite coupon exploit involving the trade-and-return of stackable items.
• Fixed the infinite monetary exploit via weapon stack splitting from sale windows.
• Corrected the issue where dead A-Life NPCs would spawn with full ammunition clips.
• Increased Snork ability cooldown by 30%.
• Boosted Gauss rifle damage.
• Raised the difficulty level for Korshunov‘s confrontation.
• Adjusted rewards for the Harpy’s missions.
• Fixed the issue of instant player death upon nearing a full radiation capacity.
• Fixed Poltergeist and Burer’s object-throwing damage inconsistencies.
• Removed the POS 8x scope from several merchant inventories.
• Adjusted PSY field damage metrics.

More than 10 additional minor fixes have been delivered.

• Investigated and further enhanced dead zones and controller movements for smoother gameplay using gamepad sticks.
• Performance optimization in densely populated map areas.
• Resolved performance lags for NVIDIA RTX 3000 series cards with enabled FSR frame generation.
• Fixed game freezing during tunnel exits in the A Light in the End of the Tunnel mission.
• Rectified non-functional Razer Kishi Ultra controller connections.
• Fixed compatibility for MSI Force Pro Wireless Controllers not functioning with certain connection types.
• Corrected Xbox X/S controller Bluetooth connectivity issues.
• Improvements in controller input.
• Fixed visual glitches in-game UI with enabled DLSS.
• Fixed disappearing buildings at Factory locations.
• Fixed building pop-in near Yantar as players approach.
• Addressed FPS drops due to abundant water particles.
• Rectified frame rate dips when interacting with bodies in shallow waters.
• Resolved multiple EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION crash reports.
• Corrected various Fatal Errors, Low-Level Fatal Errors, and Assertion Failures.

Over 200 crashes have been reviewed, with further resolutions implemented.

• Numerous facial animation and voiceover improvements in multiple cutscenes.
• Fixed missing frames in various cutscenes.
• Addressed issues of missing NPCs within cutscenes.
• Resolved instances of idle behavior or body/equipment disarrangement of characters during cutscenes.
• Fixed missing subtitles in several cutscenes.
• Added missing haptic feedback for select cutscenes.
• Rectified the absence of a crucial cutscene in The Eternal Shining mission.
• Resolved the omission of concluding cutscene in the Back to the Slag Heap mission.
• Fixed invisibility issues with Nimble during In Search of a Guide mission cutscene.
• Fixed lethal occurrences during cutscenes within The Last Step mission.

More than 80 cutscene issues have been resolved.

• Fixed closed elevators in the X11 laboratory post-save load during Wishful Thinking mission.
• Fixed physics for ammo crates and damaged lamps.
• Resolved NPC doorway entrapments at assorted locations.
• Addressed looping ladder sounds and clipping issues during ladder descents.
• Corrected interaction sounds with deceased bodies.
• Fixed shaking issues when NPCs interacted with doors during movements or combat.
• Fixed variable interaction hints for looting and carrying bodies.
• Resolved incorrect prompting for healing when no medkit is available.
• Addressed interactability issues for certain consumables.

Alongside 20 additional related issues that have been addressed.

• Resolved over 15 bugs surrounding the On the Edge mission, such as Hamster and Ricochet dying upon entering the Zalissya premises, bugs impeding Slavko Pharmacist‘s healing abilities, allowing monolithians and mutants in Hamster’s shelter, and many others.
• Addressed multiple issues with A Minor Incident mission, including incomplete journal stages and misleading markers.
• Numerous fixes for Visions of Truth mission involving the hostile behavior of Scar towards Skif, dialogue reachability, and others.
• Corrected dialogue initiation problems post-monolith defeat during The Last Wish mission.
• Fixed softlocks resulting from hostile player behavior during The Last Wish mission.
• Resolved issues with Faust clone location behavior during The Assault on the Duga mission.
• Corrected gameplay continuity with Faust boss fight behavior.
• Addressed soldier assistance problems during Just Like the Good Old Days mission.
• Fixed mission continuity issues with Lodochka during Just Like the Good Old Days mission.
• Resolved mission progression problems in Subtile Matter if players looted items before beginning.
• Addressed missing Regenerator during An Act of Mercy mission.
• Fixed ongoing elevator access issues during Wishful Thinking mission.
• Addressed player entrapment in ventilation areas of ARL building during Wishful Thinking mission.
• Corrected dialogue issues with Nightingale after dog elimination within the Dogfight mission.
• Fixed determination issues starting dialogue with Strider post-events within Hot on the Trail mission.
• Addressed inaccessible A Sign of Hope side mission post-completion of Hot on the Trail.
• Rectified the absence of prof. Lodochka whenever completion of A Sign of Hope is unaffected.
• Resolved ongoing Ward guard spawns within the Chemical Plant past Escape from the Cage mission.
• Corrected unachievable progress for Explore Echo Station journal segments from Dead Frequency mission if the Shterev is discovered prematurely.
• Fixed stealth paths towards Roosevelt in King of the Hill mission.
• Rectified control issues and horizontal camera rotation post-savings after Faust boss fight.
• Fixed unskippable post-cutscene black screens in There and Back Again mission.
• Fixed missing introductory cutscenes in There and Back Again mission.
• Addressed hindrances to objective fulfillment when engaging with particular NPCs during On the Fire mission.
• Fixed Bandit Mayhem mission brief on Huron cargo return.
• Resolved visibility issues with Bayun’s body post-mission.
• Fixed loss of amicability in dynamics post-user-raised attacks at Shift Change mission.
• Adjusted unintended player access to Red Fortress locales.
• Included psi defense outfits for “Get Psi Armor” targets in the Ad astra per aspera mission.
• Addressed zombies’ idleness in specific mission zones: Swamps, Ad astra per aspera.
• Fixed occurrences of Monolithians within medical facilities during Happiness for Everyone mission.
• Fixed softlock issues from ongoing missions not progressing after actions like bandits’ demise within Answers Come at a Price mission.
• Fixed Scar’s PDA visibility post-boss battle.
• Resolved impediments to mission advancement during dark events like the Emission by Arkhyp Lichen interactions.
• Fixed occurrences of mission continuation barricades where Monolith NPC may appear amid isolated compartments during The Boundary mission.
• Resolved issues leading to disappearance of Korshunov over time, especially through boss fights.
• Fixed scenarios of Scar persistence post-climactic encounters.
• Addressed Korshunov‘s absence at appointed zones amidst progression through Answers Come at a Price missions.

Over 250 bugs and blockers have been founded and fixed in the Main Missions section.

• Fixed the ability for players to eliminate audiences amid Arena battles on Rostok.
• Resolved emissions causing enemies to flee during The Freedom Colosseum mission mid-battle.
• Balanced enhancements for Rostok Arena challenges.
• Corrected NPC guides misuse post-crucial Down Below milestones within Enerhetyk Palace of Culture Hub.
• Fixed Warlock’s mission discontinuities post-Signal incidents.
[/spoiler].
• Adjusted Pseudogiant manifestations concurrent with music initiations from Vadyk Firecracker.
• Addressed dangers leading to A-life NPC aggression resulting in deaths of Seryoga Root, Senya Noose, and Haryk Jacket.
• Resolved bottleneck NPC blockages amid 100 Rads Bar thoroughfares.
• Adjusted Ward technician’s reputation evaluations.
• Resolved impeding monolithians triggers post-In Search of Past Glory by Spark completion in Agroprom Underground.
• Rectified persistent issues with Mytryk Genius weapons post-narrative completion post-mission.
• Fixed missing Rookie Village NPCs after the conclusion of The Legends of the Zone mission.
• Corrected containment discrepancies within Lodochka’s Lab upon hostile exchanges with Noontider NPCs.
• Deactivated monolithians prior to Wish Granter engagement at SIRCAA.
• Addressed encounters with beggar Stalkers post-Monolith returns
[/spoiler].
• Amended dialogue issues within Chemical Plant NPC interactions.
• Fixed teleportation issues affecting Kirya NPC upon reward reconciliation at 100 rads Bar.
• Corrected game freezing during crucial mission dialogues like A Matter of Honor missions.
• Rectified absent prof. Zaretskyi within encounter locations post-All that is left mission closure.
• Fixed mislocation of NPC Crest destination upon Sound of Music mission progress post-dialogue exchanges during Emission.
• Resolved Warlock mission continuation unavailability post-On the Edge Mission completion.
[/list] Amongst over 100 additional bug fixes.
Open World Direction, Exploration, and Zone Experience
• Resolved Lightning Ball obstructions amid explorations within Opachychi village.
• Fixed artifact generation inconsistencies within arch anomalies.
• Enhanced decedent physics.
• Resolved player equipment degradation problems while being crouched in Razor.
• Fixed overall corpse disappearance complications.
• Corrected stretched tree textures within the open world scene.
• Fixed issues with dormant Toxic Cloud anomalies.
• Resolved rat swarms’ location spawn irregularities above cave networks around Mist archanomalies.
• Fixed persisting soaked effects in dry enclaves post-save reloads.
• Addressed abrupt weather transformations post-4:30 AM and 11:59 PM time occurrences.
• Fixed unreliable Wandering lights anomaly artifact spawns.
• Resolved periodic invisibility of the Bulba arch-anomaly.
• Addressed non-lootable corpse spawns between Cordon and Lesser Zone border regions.
• Fixed the artifact approachability near “Abandoned Hamlet” instance on Swamps.
• Extended the operational radius for combat communications.
• Fixed NPC motion impediments confined in doorways amid emissions within Zalissya Hub locale.
• Rectified issues with NPC reappearance on segregated surface environments.
• Enhanced bullet penetration visual imaging effects.
• Improved corpse-cloth simulation representation.
• Fixed blood spatter consistency.
• Resolved nocturnal luminescence issues for distant environmental elements.
• Fixed repetitive zombie animation resets once viewed away from by Players.
• Addressed emissions-related cutscenes causation and its prolonged influence.
• Fixed aggressive diggers maintaining hostile status post-combat within Slag Heap proximities.

Several further enhancements have been made.

Player Gear and State Adjustments
• Fixed helmets lacking Psi and Rad immunities.
• Corrected “SSP-100 Discovery” and “SSP-99 Ecologist” armors PSI protection absence.
• Resolved constraints on PSZ-5V Guardian of Freedom Suit’s Lead Container upgrade installation.
• Reduced shot-based smoke intensity for weapons with suppressors.
• Fixed discrepancies involving broken limbs during weapon attachment processes in machine guns.
• Correctly displayed bullet visibility within magazines upon reloads.
• Incorporated splashing sound effects for bolts contacting aqueous environments.
• Fixed a fault where empty shell casings discharged instead of rounds once unloading sequences transpire during ammo type transitions.
• Enhanced animation interruptions amid weapon reloads and consumable item utilization.
• Fixed bolt sound inconsistencies amid long-distance throws.
• Minor modifications to rifle scopes’ appearances.
• Corrected item consumption through quick slot access.
• Fixed upgrade applications competent for primary weapon attachments onto underequipped installations.
• Minor animation refinements for malfunctioning weapons.
• Fixed double-equipment of detectors alongside primary weapons for Players.
• Reasons for demise now align accurately with the Player Death Screen.
• Corrected clipping issues during close-proximity melee stealth eliminations.
• Rectified particle effect absence for psy phantoms near-exhibition zones.
• Addressed glitches inducing control loss post-acoustic performances.
• Resolved unintended infinite carry capacities via armor enhancements for unequipped armors.
• Corrected eternal stamina post-dialogue exchanges while in a crouched state.

More than 50 additional issues have been tackled.

Player Guidance, Game Settings, and Menus
• Renovated in-game tutorials and introductions for a seamless novice player experience.
• Fixed unexpected weapon spawn and equip inducements near mission localities.
• Addressed swap difficulties for weapon comparison maneuvers within trade window exchanges.
• Facilitated upgrade paths for X7 suits.
• Implemented removal options for pre-installed upgrade components within Upgrade Menu.
• Introduced distinct indicators for mutants with electrocollars.
• Revised system notification UIs for acquired items.
• Updated narratives for multiple armor augmentation options.
• Fixed tasks marker loss on NPC hostility establishment.
• Restricted trade flexibility at Noontide base NPCs.
• Modernized a selection of UI visuals within the PDA’s Upgrades menu.
• Implemented design modifications for PDA icons.
• Addressed inconsistent navigational directions among unending weapon modification trees.
• Rectified ammo type alteration animations via gamepad interventions.
• Fixed threat notices post-main menu closure.
• Rectified absent mouse scroll noises within the PDA.
• Addressed output device selections being reset after client reboots.
• Resolved persistent black screens post-loading specific save data.
• Removed unnecessary pop-up windows during default settings restoration.
• Translated upscaling quality interface selections within options menu.
• Adjusted stash markers color to violet.
• Rectified armors’ upgrade availability via technicians.
• Corrected SSP-100 Discovery armors unserviceability for technician enhancements.
• Fixed problematic consumable application via fast access slots.
• Addressed crosshair disappearances post-reloading through premature button inputs.
• Fixed scrolling hindrances within PDA notes.
• Resolved slow-motion movement and sprint impossibility post-lean save loads.
• Corrected “HDR White Point” option discrepancies.

Nearly 100 other “anomalies” have seen rectification within this domain.

Achievements
• Fixed unreachable “The Four Winds” achievement status.
• Resolved “Bingo” achievement accessibility.
• Fixed inability for players to unlock achievements in the EGS store.
Saves
• Resolved issues with pre-existing save file loading post-unexpected termination for titles and steam processes.
• Addressed missing save file issues resulting from PC/Xbox power cycling.
Additional Improvements
• Implemented over 15 localization and voiceover enrichments.
• Made over 40 audio refinements inclusive of volume calibrations.
• Enhanced over 20 aspects of character and NPC visuals.
Moreover, over 500 corrections include
• Foliage issues.
• Texture flickering corrections.
• A range of navigation mesh bugs.
• Collision errors.
• Contextual actions and object positioning inaccuracies.
• Numerous VFX-related rectifications.
• Non-destructible object errors.
• And additional fixes.

---

We extend our heartfelt thanks for your ongoing support and feedback. We remain committed to further game development, receptive to your comments and reviews, to efficiently address all possible issues. Should you encounter any “anomalies” within the Zone, please report them through our Technical Support Hub. This aids in addressing your concerns promptly:

Sincerely, The GSC Game World Team.

Source