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The release of Stalker 2: Cost of Hope is getting closer, and to get you in the mood, a new video for the expansion was released today.
It gives you a glimpse of the locations from Cost of Hope—specifically, the Chernobyl Power Plant and the Iron Forest.
It goes on to say: “Ahead of the release of Stalker 2: Cost of Hope, you’ll gain access as a Stalker to completely new, previously unexplored areas of the Zone. Reaching some of them is likely to prove far more difficult than you ever imagined…”
Cost of Hope will be released on August 20, 2026, for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
Faction Conflict and New Story Content
The expansion’s story revolves around the long-standing conflict between the Zone’s leading factions—Duty and Freedom—which continues to escalate, threatening the fragile peace between the two sides. This, in turn, could affect the fate of the entire Zone.
You once again play as Skif, the protagonist of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl: “A mysterious PDA signal draws him into events unfolding parallel to the main game’s story.”
“You’ll explore uncharted territories, encounter unexpected allies and enemies, discover powerful weapons, and experience a gripping new story. The expansion offers dozens of hours of fresh content. Your decisions will shape the future of the Zone in this major new chapter of the Stalker saga.”
Clarification from GSC Game World Regarding the Xbox Deal
GSC Game World recently refuted statements made by studio founder Sergiy Grygorovych. He claimed that the deal for timed exclusivity on the Xbox Series X/S and Game Pass had already made the game profitable before its release. According to the team, however, this is not true.
