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

GSC Game World has unveiled the highly anticipated S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition, a next-gen upgrade of the iconic S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. Scheduled for release on May 20, this enhanced version will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, bringing the beloved games Shadow of Chornobyl (2007), Clear Sky (2008), and Call of Prypiat (2009) to modern platforms with significant improvements.

The Enhanced Edition promises a comprehensive overhaul for each game, featuring upgraded visuals, optimizations for next-gen consoles, and enhanced mod support. GSC Game World is committed to delivering a more immersive experience with these updates.

For existing fans, GSC Game World has some great news: 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. PC players aren't left out either; those who own the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games will get the Enhanced Editions for free, while new buyers of the Enhanced Editions will also receive the original versions. 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 platform-specific.

On PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, players can choose from various frame-rate options for the Enhanced Edition, including standard modes at 30 FPS and 60 FPS, and specialized modes targeting 40 FPS and up to 120 FPS, available exclusively with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology.

Console players will benefit from different graphical and performance modes, including a Quality Balanced mode, a Performance mode, and an Ultra Performance mode. Here's a breakdown of the options:

• 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, upscaled textures, detailed 3D models, advanced shaders for water and wetness effects, upgraded skyboxes, 4K pre-rendered cinematics, and improved weapon FOV for better combat visibility.

Console-specific enhancements and new graphic mods 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 offers several unique 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 innovate and enhance the gaming experience for fans worldwide.