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

GSC Game World has exciting news for fans of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series with the announcement of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition. Set to launch on May 20, this next-gen upgrade will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, bringing enhanced versions of the classic titles Shadow of Chornobyl (2007), Clear Sky (2008), and Call of Prypiat (2009).

Each game in the trilogy has been overhauled to offer upgraded visuals, optimized performance for next-gen consoles, and expanded support for mods, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience for both new players and long-time fans.

GSC Game World has also announced that players who already own 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 games for free. For PC users, GSC Game World is expressing gratitude to their loyal fanbase by offering the Enhanced Editions free to owners of the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games. Additionally, buyers of the Enhanced Editions will receive the original versions included. The trilogy can be purchased 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, so your saved data will remain specific to the platform you are using.

For console players on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition offers multiple frame-rate options to cater to different preferences. Standard modes include 30 FPS and 60 FPS, while additional modes target 40 FPS and up to 120 FPS. These higher frame-rate options are exclusively available for displays that support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology.

The Enhanced Edition on consoles also features various graphical and performance modes, such as a Quality Balanced mode, a Performance mode, and an Ultra Performance mode. Here’s how these modes are configured:

• 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.

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.

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

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

For PC gamers, the Enhanced Edition offers several notable features:

• Steam Deck Optimized, allowing players to enjoy the trilogy on the go with full Steam Deck compatibility.
• Steam Workshop Integration for access to a vast library of user-generated mods.
• Cloud Saves for seamless progress backup across devices.
• Gamepad Support, providing full controller compatibility for a console-like experience on PC.

GSC Game World, based in Kyiv, Ukraine, is the developer behind last year’s successful sequel, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. For more details on how S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has transformed the studio amidst the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, you can read more [here].