For folks that enjoy non-linear shooters with a heavy emphasis on survival mechanics and horror elements, the STALKER series has always been a top choice. Set in a fictional and supernatural version of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the STALKER games challenge players to explore and conquer The Zone by scavenging for supplies, interacting with and helping its various NPCs and factions, and discovering its dark secrets.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl is the upcoming sequel to the original STALKER trilogy, featuring modern visuals and audio, a brand new story, fresh gameplay mechanics, new threats to face, a multiplayer mode, and more. It has the potential to be one of the best Xbox shooters ever developed, and fans are excitedly awaiting its planned 2023 release.
Ahead of its launch, publisher and developer GSC Game World has made several editions of the game available for preorder. Here’s a full overview of everything you need to know about preordering STALKER 2.
STALKER 2 preorder: Bonuses
Regardless of which type of STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl edition fans preorder, they’ll get access to exclusive preorder bonuses once the game launches. These bonuses include the following:
- Extended campfire content
- This content includes additional songs and stories that players can hear from NPCs around campfires
- “Early bird” weapon skin
- “Early bird” costume skin
- “Early bird” multiplayer badge
STALKER 2 preorder: Where to buy
In terms of where you can preorder STALKER 2, it depends on whether you want to get a physical retail or digital edition. Currently, most Xbox retail editions are available at Amazon. The Xbox standard edition is also available at Best Buy and Walmart, giving players a few options.
However, the Ultimate Edition is only currently for sale at Amazon Germany. This is also where all the retail PC editions can be purchased (you can have your order shipped globally). If the Xbox Ultimate Edition and retail PC editions become available from Amazon US, we’ll update this article.
Preordering the digital editions is a simpler process for PC players. All of them are available at major PC digital storefronts, including Steam, Green Man Gaming (for Steam), GOG, and the Epic Games Store. Xbox players can preorder the digital Standard Edition on Amazon, though the other digital editions are currently unavailable. There is a preorder page on Microsoft’s Xbox storefront that will likely have every digital edition of the game available at some point, but it’s currently inactive.
STALKER 2 preorder: Retail editions
For players that would prefer a physical retail edition of the game instead of a digital one, there are four different options available. Here’s an in-depth look at each of them (note that the PC versions include a digital download code instead of a disk).
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl Standard Edition
This is the simplest edition of STALKER 2 available, but that also means it’s the least expensive. Additionally, you still get a handful of bonus items, which isn’t often the case with standard editions. It costs $60 and includes the following:
- STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl game
- New story that follows the events of the original games
- Multiple factions and NPCs
- Large and dynamic open world set in The Zone
- Numerous weapons, armors, and artifacts
- Survival gameplay mechanics
- Mutants, enemy stalkers, and other threats
- Steelbook case
- Rounded steelbook case
- Features STALKER 2 cover art
- Letter from the developers
- Souvenir Zone permit
- Sticker pack
- Includes stickers of mutants, NPCs, weapons, and more
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl Limited Edition
The Limited Edition is a bit more expensive than the Standard Edition but also includes more collectibles. It costs $80 and offers the following, which notably includes everything from the Standard Edition:
- STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl game
- New story that follows the events of the original games
- Multiple factions and NPCs
- Large and dynamic open world set in The Zone
- Numerous weapons, armors, and artifacts
- Survival gameplay mechanics
- Mutants, enemy stalkers, and other threats
- Steelbook case
- Rounded steelbook case
- Features STALKER 2 cover art
- Letter from the developers
- Souvenir Zone permit
- Sticker pack
- Includes stickers of mutants, NPCs, weapons, and more
- Zone map
- Detailed map of STALKER 2’s Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
- STALKER 2 poster
- Depicts a stalker walking through The Zone
- Faction patches
- Patches for the Loner, Duty, Freedom, and Monolith factions
- STALKER-themed military dog tag token
- STALKER-themed keychain with fire starter
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl Collector’s Edition
The STALKER 2 Collector’s Edition features everything from the previous two editions, as well as some additional premium collectibles and new in-game content. It costs $180 and comes with the following items, which includes everything from both of the previous editions :
- STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl game
- New story that follows the events of the original games
- Multiple factions and NPCs
- Large and dynamic open world set in The Zone
- Numerous weapons, armors, and artifacts
- Survival gameplay mechanics
- Mutants, enemy stalkers, and other threats
- New content
- Additional story-based sidequest
- One costume and three weapon skins (singleplayer)
- Two costumes and three weapon skins (multiplayer)
- Digital art book and digital soundtrack
- Steelbook case
- Rounded steelbook case
- Features STALKER 2 cover art
- Letter from the developers
- Souvenir Zone permit
- Sticker pack
- Includes stickers of mutants, NPCs, weapons, and more
- Zone map
- Detailed map of STALKER 2’s Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
- STALKER 2 poster
- Depicts a stalker walking through The Zone
- Faction patches
- Patches for the Loner, Duty, Freedom, and Monolith factions
- STALKER-themed military dog tag token
- STALKER-themed keychain with fire starter
- Artbook
- Features STALKER 2 concept artwork
- STALKER figurine
- A statue of a masked stalker holding a “Moonlight” artifact
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl Ultimate Edition
This is the grandest (and most expensive) edition of STALKER 2 available for preorder. In addition to everything included in the Collector’s Edition, it includes two extra premium collectibles and access to even more in-game content. It’s priced at €350 (about $357) and includes the following:
- STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl game
- New story that follows the events of the original games
- Multiple factions and NPCs
- Large and dynamic open world set in The Zone
- Numerous weapons, armors, and artifacts
- Survival gameplay mechanics
- Mutants, enemy stalkers, and other threats
- Content from the Ultimate Edition
- Season Pass for two story expansions and all future DLC
- Additional story-based side quest
- One costume and three weapon skins (singleplayer)
- Seven costumes and three weapon skins (multiplayer)
- Digital art book and digital soundtrack
- Steelbook case
- Rounded steelbook case
- Features STALKER 2 cover art
- Letter from the developers
- Souvenir Zone permit
- Sticker pack
- Includes stickers of mutants, NPCs, weapons, and more
- Zone map
- Detailed map of STALKER 2’s Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
- STALKER 2 poster
- Depicts a stalker walking through The Zone
- Faction patches
- Patches for the Loner, Duty, Freedom, and Monolith factions
- STALKER-themed military dog tag token
- STALKER-themed keychain with fire starter
- Artbook
- Features STALKER 2 concept artwork
- STALKER figurine
- A statue of a masked stalker holding a “Moonlight” artifact
- STALKER-themed backpack
- Artifact container lamp
- Designed to look like a container with a “Fireball” artifact inside
STALKER 2 preorder: Digital editions
There are three different digital-only editions of STALKER 2 for sale. Here’s an overview of each one and all the content that’s included.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl Standard Edition
The Standard Edition is the most affordable digital version of the game available. It costs $60 and features the following:
- STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl game
- New story that follows the events of the original games
- Multiple factions and NPCs
- Large and dynamic open world set in The Zone
- Numerous weapons, armors, and artifacts
- Survival gameplay mechanics
- Mutants, enemy stalkers, and other threats
- Steam-exclusive content
- Dynamic profile theme
- Animated profile avatar
- Avatar frame
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl Deluxe Edition
The $80 digital Deluxe Edition includes everything the Standard Edition does, as well as some additional digital and in-game content. Here’s what it brings to the table:
- STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl game
- New story that follows the events of the original games
- Multiple factions and NPCs
- Large and dynamic open world set in The Zone
- Numerous weapons, armors, and artifacts
- Survival gameplay mechanics
- Mutants, enemy stalkers, and other threats
- Deluxe Edition content
- Additional story-based side quest
- One costume and three weapon skins (singleplayer)
- Two costumes and three weapon skins (multiplayer)
- Digital artbook and digital soundtrack
- Steam-exclusive content
- Dynamic profile theme
- Animated profile avatar
- Avatar frame
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl Ultimate Edition
The pricey $110 STALKER 2 Ultimate Edition includes the most content out of all of the digital editions. In addition to giving you access to everything from the Deluxe Edition, it also includes additional skins and DLC access.
- STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl game
- New story that follows the events of the original games
- Multiple factions and NPCs
- Large and dynamic open world set in The Zone
- Numerous weapons, armors, and artifacts
- Survival gameplay mechanics
- Mutants, enemy stalkers, and other threats
- Ultimate Edition content
- Season Pass for two story expansions and all future DLC
- Additional story-based side quest
- One costume and three weapon skins (singleplayer)
- Seven costumes and three weapon skins (multiplayer)
- Digital artbook and digital soundtrack
- Steam-exclusive content
- Dynamic profile theme
- Animated profile avatar
- Avatar frame
Good hunting, stalker…
While most games offer fans a few different editions to choose from when preordering, the fact that GSC Game World has made seven of them means that players have an abundance of choices. Folks that want the basic experience and nothing else will find that the Standard Editions are ideal, while gamers looking for extra in-game content should opt for the digital Deluxe or Ultimate Edition. If you want a variety of awesome collectibles and additional content, look no further than the retail Collector’s Edition or Ultimate Edition.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl is expected to launch on Xbox and PC in 2023 and will follow up on the events of the original STALKER trilogy.
