STALKER 2 has been quite a contentious release for GSC Game World, facing multiple delays and a less-than-stellar launch. However, its developers have done a great job of bringing the game close to what it had originally intended, making the experience look and feel worthy of being a part of one of modern gaming’s great franchises.
In the run-up to its first anniversary, it seems STALKER 2 is just getting started thanks to its impending launch on the PS5 and PS5 Pro. This new chapter in the game’s journey might just be its best one yet, thanks to GSC’s use of the DualSense controller’s expansive feature set and an update roadmap that could make very good use of the PS5’s ability to bring incredible single-player experiences to life.
The PS5 version of STALKER 2 might just be the one to beat, as it has been on several other brilliant games. But what sets it apart from the experience that the game offers on other platforms? Let’s find out!
A Potent Platform
It’s a good idea to begin with the PlayStation 5 itself. Since its introduction into the gaming world back in 2020, Sony’s current-gen powerhouse has managed to earn a reputation for itself as a console that’s well-suited for immersive cinematic experiences thanks to its ability to render games in 4K, or the choice to run them at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second.
That ability alone has allowed many talented developers to present experiences whose size and scope are miles ahead of anything the PS4 could do, as well as place the PS5 ahead of its competition by a comfortable margin. And then came the PS5 Pro, which bridged the gap between resolution and performance by allowing its owners to sustain 4K resolutions while also enjoying a solid framerate as they played through their favorite titles.
It’s made several games a whole lot more enjoyable, allowing talented studios to come out with PS5 Pro-enhanced versions of their latest releases that have pushed the boundaries of what a gaming console can do. But the consoles themselves are only a part of the equation. The DualSense controller is a part of the revolution that Sony aimed to bring to modern gaming.
With advanced haptics that allow studios to create an additional layer of immersion working alongside adaptive triggers, a very nifty touchpad, excellent motion sensors, a fairly solid speaker, and a comfortable design, the DualSense has been a perfect companion for those gamers who like to lose themselves in the worlds their characters are a part of.
When coupled with the PS5 Pro’s ability to upscale game resolutions in real-time thanks to PSSR, and the ability to bring hi-res, ray-traced versions of games to life, it’s easy to see how the PS5 and its mid-gen counterpart are an attractive option for studios looking to craft titles that draw their players into the worlds they present, and keep them there for hours at a stretch.
While the number of games that have managed to do this is quite a long one, STALKER 2’s PS5 debut stands to gain a lot from the console’s extensive skill set. It could be a version of the game that stands out from what’s on offer on other platforms, thanks to how GSC is making use of everything it has to offer. But how is the studio managing to create an experience that sets itself apart?
Familiar But Fresh
If you haven’t had the chance to catch STALKER 2’s announcement trailer for its PS5 version, know that GSC has put the DualSense’s feature set front and center while pulling off a very memorable fourth wall break in the process. The studio has placed a lot of emphasis on using the controller to its fullest, and making exploring the zone feel very different from what it currently is on other platforms.
Indeed, the folks over at GSC have been quite enthusiastic about how they have made use of all the features of the controller. During interviews at Gamescom 2025, GSC representatives were quick to point out how the weapon enthusiasts among their ranks dedicated themselves to making every weapon you get your hands on in the zone feel distinct from other ones, thanks to the controller’s adaptive triggers.
Every gun is going to have different resistances when you squeeze the trigger, adding a layer of immersion to the way you handle them. But that’s not all. It’s no secret that STALKER 2 is a title that has a lot of radio chatter between your character and the people he encounters along his journey. All of those conversations have now been mapped to the controller’s on-board speaker, another nice touch.
Even the varied terrain on offer across the Zone has been an opportunity for GSC to set the PS5 version of STALKER 2 apart. That’s thanks to the haptics, with the controller coming alive in your hands just as Sony intended, giving different vibrations based on the kind of terrain you have under your feet in the game. All of these distinct touches might not seem to bring any revolutionary changes to the overall experience on paper, but they do add up to create an experience that feels vastly different from the Xbox or PC when you dive into it on a PS5.
Technical Producer Evgeniy Kulik summed things up pretty nicely in an interview with Tech Radar Gaming, stating that “We are basically acquainted with each gun that is presented to the game, okay, maybe not each, but the Gauss Rifle… we tried to get that realistic trigger experience and provide it within the gam…we’re all about digitalization and some really immersive features that you may actually feel with your fingertips.”
But integrating the DualSense into the experience isn’t the only thing that’s slated to set STALKER 2 apart on the platform. Aside from launching with all of the game’s major patches in place, the new version is also slated to bring the game’s Unreal Engine update to the table, adding a new layer of visual fidelity that could make excellent use of the PS5, and of course, the PS5 Pro to make this version of The Zone one that’s quite hard to tear yourself away from.
On the PS5 Pro, that could mean a significant boost to the game’s graphics. While GSC is yet to provide any information on specific ways in which it’s planning to utilize the mid-gen powerhouse, it’s easy to predict that a Pro mode that balances ray-traced graphics with excellent framerates is going to be a part of the deal. It could also mean that a quality mode with insane resolution could be on the cards for players who like to squeeze out every possible bit of detail from The Zone’s stunning landscapes.
There’s also the possibility of new content being added to the game aside from a few confirmed PlayStation exclusive goodies that are part of the game’s deluxe editions. It’s evident that STALKER 2 is going to be quite the journey on the PlayStation, with GSC going all in on the features that can set it apart on the platform.
It’s a smart play, allowing the studio to extend the shelf life of a title that it has worked on for a very long time. It also allows the studio to perfect a game that it has been very enthusiastic about and has supported over the years during its development and through the turbulent times of its release.
The PS5 version of STALKER 2 could very well be the penultimate chapter in a redemption story that remains among our favorites in modern gaming.
New Ways To Play A Familiar Tune
If you’ve already played STALKER 2 on another platform but are eager to try it out on a PlayStation, next month is going to be a fun one for you. While you might think that you’re essentially playing through the same game, albeit perfected and refined, the way GSC has approached the console’s exclusive features is going to make the entire experience feel vastly different. And that, perhaps, is among the new version’s greatest strengths.
We’re excited to dive back into a gameplay loop that gets very addictive quite quickly on a new platform. And STALKER 2’s latest avatar might just be its most attractive one yet. All that’s left is to wait for its final release to hit the shelves!
Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.
