Stalker remasters arrive next week with 4K support and FSR - free for existing owners

[Daniel Sims]

Bottom line: The first three Stalker titles: Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat, will receive substantial updates on May 20. The enhanced editions feature upgraded graphics and numerous quality-of-life improvements. Veteran players will receive the updated versions for free for each title they already own on Steam or GOG.

GSC Game World has shared details about the long-awaited enhanced editions. These include updated system requirements which, while significantly higher than those of the original releases, feel modest by today's standards.

Visual enhancements include god rays, dynamic screen-space reflections, global illumination, new water shaders, improved skyboxes, upscaled textures, and higher polygon counts.

The user interface has also been refreshed, with full gamepad support and other usability improvements. While the in-game content and AI remain unchanged, GSC Game World has addressed numerous bugs – something longtime Stalker fans have come to expect.

Click to enlarge

Since these remasters are based on games originally released in 2007, 2008, and 2010, modern mid-range and mainstream PCs should run them easily. At 1080p on low settings, even older GPUs like the Nvidia GTX 960 and AMD Radeon RX 560 can still achieve 60 fps.

For 4K gameplay, a GeForce RTX 2080 Ti or Radeon 6800 XT is recommended. Depending on VRAM requirements, GPUs like the RTX 3070, 4070, or the upcoming 5060 Ti may offer similar performance. FSR upscaling is supported, but not DLSS or XeSS. Despite the improved visuals, storage demands remain modest, with each game requiring only around 10 GB.

Unfortunately, moving to the enhanced editions means Stalker's extensive modding community will have to start from scratch, as existing mods and save files won't be compatible. However, the new versions include Steam Workshop support for easier mod installation and will not replace the original versions.

Owners of Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, or Call of Pripyat will see the enhanced editions appear as separate games in their Steam or GOG libraries when they go live on May 20.

For new players, the updated titles will be available individually for $20 or as a $40 bundle, both of which include the original versions.

The effort to revisit the classic Stalker games began last year, when GSC Game World released the first-ever console ports in a bundle titled Stalker: Shadows of the Zone Trilogy for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Next week's update brings the enhanced package to Steam, GOG, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles.

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Stalker remasters arrive next week with 4K support and FSR - free for existing owners

 

[RudyBob]

Great Games but I couldn't play them again

 

[loki1944]

Awesome; have barely touched STALKER 2 due to how awful it is; but OG STALKER; Sign me up.

 

[amghwk]

The world is being overcrowded with "remasters".

Say bye to new designs, new explorations, new experiences.

Basically, gaming is stalled.

 

[Kirby1]

The world is being overcrowded with "remasters".

Say bye to new designs, new explorations, new experiences.

Basically, gaming is stalled.

Clair Obscure
Doom Dark Ages
South of Midnight

Just some big games that have come out on game pass in the last month or so. All games doing something unique, even Doom since it's gameplay mechanics are quite different than the other Doom games.

 

[Aus spot]

Great games but…the graphics were never a major concern with these games, they were just so full of bugs that mods were needed. And the mods added reasonable graphics.

So I’m not seeing a point.

 

[TechSam]

Basically, gaming is stalled.

With the industry shrinking, this is exactly what a lot of developers need to keep their jobs. Also it provides an opportunity for new fans to see the franchise. I've never played Stalker, but I might now.

Hats off to the publisher for giving this out for free. They know their target audience!

 

[johnwinter87]

Nothing can save this game anymore

 

[amghwk]

With the industry shrinking, this is exactly what a lot of developers need to keep their jobs. Also it provides an opportunity for new fans to see the franchise. I've never played Stalker, but I might now.

Hats off to the publisher for giving this out for free. They know their target audience!

Ummm...why not play the original if already bought? It's still playable in current systems.

 

[kira setsu]

The world is being overcrowded with "remasters".

Say bye to new designs, new explorations, new experiences.

Basically, gaming is stalled.

there's nothing wrong with updating a game so new people can get a chance to play, I never played these games, was always curious, now that gamepad support is in I'll try em out.

theres plenty of great new games out there if you actually look.

 

[amghwk]

Clair Obscure
Doom Dark Ages
South of Midnight

Just some big games that have come out on game pass in the last month or so. All games doing something unique, even Doom since it's gameplay mechanics are quite different than the other Doom games.

I too have Gamepass. Tried Doom Dark Ages. Well....it's the same old game mechanics. Kill demons as usual. Sigh. It's just... Doom.

And now it plays like Gauntlet. Clear up a bunch of enemies in an area, then the gate opens up to enter another section. Repeat.

Maybe it's just that I've seen them all.

 

[letsgoiowa]

Great games but…the graphics were never a major concern with these games, they were just so full of bugs that mods were needed. And the mods added reasonable graphics.

So I’m not seeing a point.

There have been gameplay changes and bug fixes.

 

[TechSam]

Ummm...why not play the original if already bought? It's still playable in current systems.

The one game I own, Shadow of Chernobyl, No steam achievements. I like using them to give me playtime structure so I don't spend too long playing and get burnt out.