S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Trilogy Enhanced: Next-Gen Upgrade Awaits Fans

GSC Game World has exciting news for fans of the iconic S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. The studio has announced the upcoming release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition, a next-generation upgrade of the original trilogy. Set to launch on May 20, this enhanced collection will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, bringing a fresh experience to both new and returning players.

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition encompasses upgraded versions of the trilogy's titles: Shadow of Chornobyl (2007), Clear Sky (2008), and Call of Prypiat (2009). Players can look forward to significant enhancements, including upgraded visuals, optimizations for next-gen consoles, and expanded support for mods.

GSC Game World has shown appreciation for their dedicated community by offering the Enhanced Edition free to existing owners of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy on Xbox Series X and S or PS5. For PC enthusiasts, those who own the original games will also receive the Enhanced Editions at no extra cost. New buyers of the Enhanced Editions will enjoy the original versions included. The trilogy can be purchased as a bundle for $39.99 or individually for $19.99 per title.

It's important to note that cross-platform saves are not supported, meaning your progress will be tied to the specific platform you're playing on.

On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, players will have a variety of frame-rate options for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy Enhanced Edition. Options include standard modes at 30 FPS and 60 FPS, as well as specialized modes targeting 40 FPS and up to 120 FPS. However, the latter two options are exclusive to displays that support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology.

The console versions of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Enhanced Edition come with different graphical and performance modes. These include a Quality Balanced mode, a Performance mode, and an Ultra Performance mode. Specific details for each console are as follows:

• Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro: Quality (native 4K/30 FPS), Balanced (upscaled 4K/40 FPS), Performance (upscaled 4K/60 FPS), Ultra Performance (upscaled 2K/120 FPS).
• Xbox Series S: Quality (native 2K/30 FPS), Balanced (upscaled 2K/40 FPS), Performance (1080p/60 FPS).

Note that both the Quality Balanced mode and the Ultra Performance mode are available only when using a display with VRR technology.

Visual upgrades across all platforms include:

• Enhanced lighting with godrays, screen space reflections, and global illumination for a more immersive atmosphere.
• Upscaled textures and detailed 3D models for NPCs, weapons, and environments.
• Advanced shaders for water and wetness effects, paired with upgraded skyboxes for a more dynamic world.
• 4K pre-rendered cinematics for dramatic storytelling and improved weapon FOV for better combat visibility.

Console-specific enhancements and new graphical mods include:

• Keyboard & Mouse Support: Available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S for a tailored experience.
• Mod.io Integration: Create and share mods across PC and consoles via mod.io (https://mod.io/).

For PC players, the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition offers:

• Steam Deck Optimized: Play the trilogy on the go with full Steam Deck compatibility.
• Steam Workshop Integration: Access a vast library of user-generated mods.
• Cloud Saves: Seamless progress backup across devices.
• Gamepad Support: Full controller compatibility for a console-like experience on PC.

GSC Game World, the Kyiv, Ukraine-based developer behind last year’s successful sequel, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, continues to innovate and support the gaming community amidst challenging times.