Players who have preloaded S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will need to download an additional update featuring last-minute tweaks and improvements.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Launches with a Massive 139GB Patch

In just a few hours, we’ll finally get to experience S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, set to release tomorrow on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass, where it’s already shaping up to be the subscription service’s standout title this month.

When we say S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a massive game, we mean it literally: the game itself weighs in at 143GB, and on top of that, there’s a 139GB day-one patch.

Even before hitting store shelves, the game is breaking records with an update larger than some of the biggest patches in the Call of Duty series.

To put this into perspective, recent heavyweights like the 55GB summer patch for Hogwarts Legacy are only about a third of the size of this update for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.

The sheer size of the patch suggests a range of fixes and optimizations aimed at ensuring the game runs as smoothly as possible, especially following rumors of performance issues on Xbox Series X.

Interestingly, this highlights the difference in how Xbox and PlayStation handle updates. Generally, PS5 updates are significantly smaller. For instance, the recent 60 FPS patch for Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is over 30GB on Xbox Series X/S but less than 1GB on PS5 and PS5 Pro.

This day-one patch primarily affects players who preloaded the game. Those purchasing it at launch or using a physical copy will only need to download a single update.

A Minor Setback for a Long-Awaited Release

Having to download S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 almost twice over may be a minor inconvenience, especially considering the long wait fans have endured.

The game’s development faced immense challenges. After several delays, GSC Game World had to contend with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, forcing the team to halt production and focus on their safety.

With the team displaced and faced with monumental difficulties, the studio managed to resume development, only to encounter new setbacks, including a fire at their facilities.

Despite these hurdles, their perseverance paid off, culminating in a firm release date for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl—November 20.

As an additional testament to their resilience, the Ukrainian team also revived the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy, including a recent version for the Nintendo Switch.

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For more Fextralife news, be sure to check out S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl – The Best Sequel This Year? and also Arcane Becomes The Most Expensive Animated Series in History