We are thrilled to unveil Patch 1.3, which encompasses over 1200 modifications, fixes, and enhancements across various dimensions such as AI/A-Life, Balance, Story Progression, Performance, Locations, and Audio — essentially every facet of the game you can think of. This comprehensive update wouldn’t have been achievable without your insightful feedback and personal experiences in the Zone, diligently shared on platforms like Steam, Reddit, Discord, and beyond. A heartfelt thanks for your contributions!
Now, let’s delve into the key features:
- Refined mutant movements for smoother combat encounters.
- Enhanced NPCs’ auditory response to footsteps.
- Improved mutant ambush tactics when players are concealed behind or atop objects.
- Resolved an issue where mutants refrained from attacking NPCs within designated safe zones.
- Recalibrated Archiartifacts:
- Weird Water: Reduced radiation resistance.
- Weird Nut: Increased rate of bleeding and reduced healing speed when equipped.
- Weird Flower: Enhanced scent masking capability.
- Weird Ball: Boosted stamina recovery and maximum weight capacity, but decreased weight gain resistance when shot.
- Weird Kettle: Food consumption debuffs are now specific and no longer random.
- Non-Stop Limited Edition energy drinks now grant a unique effect when used with Weird Kettle.
- Decreased frequency of A-life encounters on average.
- Reduced base anomaly damage resistance for “combat” armors.
- Enhanced anomaly damage protection for “science” suits.
- Revised damage metrics for different anomalies.
- Increased damage output from destructible explosive objects.
- Resolved the issue where the Weird Flower artifact appeared dormant instead of active upon collection.
- Improved the durability of unique weapons discovered during missions.
- Resolved a glitch that allowed players to perpetually stack the effects of unequipped artifacts.
- Fixed the bug that prevented sprinting following chaotic movements.
- Addressed an issue causing psy-phantoms of blind dogs to leave misleading trails.
- Fixed crashes resulting from NPC zombification.
- Corrected an issue where looting certain story NPCs could obstruct mission progression.
- Fixed a problem where players could become trapped inside the Ranger Station.
- Fixed an issue keeping sleepy visual effects perpetually active if saved during a Main Quest.
- Resolved flashlight light anomalies in cutscenes.
- Fixed an occurance of high-rank NPCs spawning incorrectly at Rookie Village.
- Phantom stalkers under Psy-effect influence can no longer harm other NPCs with grenades.
- Corrected a display issue where the HUD appeared transparent post inventory menu or cutscene.
- Resolved visual faults in character costumes induced by awkward animations.
- Rectified memory issues occurring when accessing inventory/looting menus (e.g., Player stash at Rostok).
- Addressed issues with immobile NPCs hindering player movement.
- Resolved an issue with audio output device defaulting post restart.
Significantly, nearly 100 crash and EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION errors have been addressed.
- Resolved an issue preventing stealth completion of the Escape from the Cage mission due to NPCs with high perception.
- Fixed a situation where the player could prematurely destroy the Jammer preceding the In the Name of Science assignment.
- Resolved a glitch preventing the Escape from the Chemical Plant objective from completing if Strelok or Scar’s call was interrupted during an Escape mission.
- Addressed a freeze in the Dark Times mission with no new objectives after eliminating Jarl NPC.
- Fixed an Eye of the Storm mission bug stalling progression after reaching the Generators.
- Corrected the stalling of side mission A Big Score if an emission triggered while the Player was in the Car Park.
- Resolved an issue with looting Faust’s body following Scar’s call during the Visions of Truth mission.
- Corrected an invincibility bug with Foma NPC in the Chasing Ghosts mission.
- Adjusted encounter initiation with Headlight NPC near Bulba Arch post Nightingale’s Hunt completion.
- Fixed player-hostility issue with Yaryk Mongoose during For Science! mission.
- Resolved a problem with snork collar collection in “In the Name of Science” mission if snorks were not player-killed.
- Corrected missing NPCs in mission initiation and interactions.
- Added diverse game over screens dependent on the cause of death.
- Enhanced key facial animations in the storyline.
- Improved obstruction for mutant-related audio.
- Optimized the spatial placement of various sound effects.
- Introduced a new night music theme for Slag Heap.
- Incorporated elevator music in SIRCAA.
- Introduced missing localizations for tutorial segments.
- Provided descriptions delineating differences between armor-piercing and expansive ammunition.
- Refined bullet impact decals.
- Improved nighttime visibility by enhancing NPC flashlight intensity.
- Enhanced shadows cast by the player’s flashlight.
- Relocated several endgame sequence attachments and upgrades to Prypiat stashes.
- Fine-tuned NPC movement and shooting animations.
- Added the ability to rebind Melee weapon attack in controls.
- Introduced additional idle animations for armed NPCs.
- Introduced new visual FX elements featuring animals and a novel type of visual anomaly.
Curious about the detailed patch notes? You can find the complete rundown on the official S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 website. We’re transitioning to providing only the highlights and major changes on Steam, while the comprehensive patch notes will be available on our website.
We’re grateful for your commitment to the Zone, stalkers. We’ve already commenced work on the next update and eagerly await your feedback on this patch through our social channels or here on Steam. Your input helps us pinpoint areas for improvement.
If you encounter any unexpected “anomalies” not intended to be in the game, please report them to our Technical Support Center. Our team will diligently investigate and eradicate any potential threats to the Zone.