After PlayStation Asia prematurely leaked it, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl’s latest update, The Zone Lookout, is now available. It brings a major improvement to A-Life NPCs: The option to increase their visualization distance.
Available on both consoles and PC, it lets you decide how far you want them to appear. The Recommend setting is ideal for stability, while the Dynamic option tailors it based on your hardware’s configuration. Just remember the setting won’t necessarily apply to quest NPCs. If you want to push the envelope, try Extended and Highly Extended, but be warned that performance could take a hit.
Other improvements include adjustments to gunfights, namely how far away they may break out. The result should add realism and let you better prepare for a sudden conflict. But perhaps the second-best new feature is squad leaders out in the world who enable fast travel, just like a guide would.
It’s only available to previously visited destinations, and you’ll need to pay “good cash,” even if the squad in question is neutral or friendly. But for those tired of trekking back and forth through the Zone, this is a fantastic new feature.
Check out the video below to see the new features in action. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Check out our review of its first expansion, Cost of Hope.
