Microsoft & Bethesda E3 2021 Showcase: 8 Ups & 4 Downs

5. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Surpasses Expectations

STALKER 2
GSC Game World

Microsoft also revealed the first gameplay footage for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl, which while hugely anticipated by its many fans, was also presumed to be in a fairly early stage of development from what little we've seen so far.

But this surprisingly substantial gameplay reveal seemingly confirmed that the game is much further along than most expected, setting the sequel's bleak, chilly mood with a cast of gorgeously rendered survivor characters.

The Exclusion Zone has never looked better either, and while the trailer didn't offer much in the way of story specifics, it laid the setting and tone perfectly.

Better still, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 now has a release date - it'll drop for Xbox Series X/S and PC on April 28, 2022, with a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.