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

GSC Game World has exciting news for fans of the iconic S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series with the announcement of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition. This next-gen upgrade of the original trilogy, including Shadow of Chornobyl (2007), Clear Sky (2008), and Call of Prypiat (2009), is set to launch on May 20 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Players can look forward to a comprehensive overhaul featuring enhanced visuals, optimized performance for next-gen consoles, and expanded mod support.

GSC Game World has announced that current owners of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy on Xbox Series X and S or PS5 will receive the Enhanced Edition of the corresponding games at no additional cost. For PC enthusiasts, GSC Game World is showing appreciation to their loyal fans by offering the Enhanced Editions for free to those who already own the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games. New buyers of the Enhanced Editions will also receive the original versions as part of the package. The trilogy is available as a bundle for $39.99 or individually at $19.99 per title.

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

For console players, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition offers a variety of frame-rate options on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S. You can choose between standard modes at 30 FPS and 60 FPS, as well as specialized modes targeting 40 FPS and up to 120 FPS, which are available exclusively on displays with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology.

The Enhanced Edition on consoles comes with different graphical and performance modes, including a Quality Balanced mode, a Performance mode, and an Ultra Performance mode. Here's how they break down:

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).

Both the Quality Balanced mode and the Ultra Performance mode are exclusively available when using a display that supports VRR technology.

The visual upgrades across all platforms include enhanced lighting with godrays, screen space reflections, and global illumination for a more immersive atmosphere. You'll also enjoy upscaled textures and detailed 3D models for NPCs, weapons, and environments, along with advanced shaders for water and wetness effects, and upgraded skyboxes for a more dynamic world. Additionally, 4K pre-rendered cinematics enhance the storytelling, and an improved weapon FOV boosts combat visibility.

Console-specific enhancements and new graphic mods for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S include:

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).
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 Enhanced Edition comes with several notable features:

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 push the boundaries of gaming. For more on how S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has transformed the studio amidst the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, click here.