The Zone is handing out gifts with suspicious generosity: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is getting a free story-and-content update called Stories Untold, now scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2025 (CET) after a short, last-minute delay.
Content-wise, this is not a “new hat and a bugfix” situation. The update packs 8 story quests (meant to take hours), 7 new locations, 6 new characters, one unique weapon, plus a new hub you can develop. And yes, it’s free for everyone who owns the game on supported platforms.
The new storyline kicks off in the west, near Malachite, where scientists’ teams report a strange radio signal that messes with PDA comms. People who listen in start dealing with the kind of “fun” the Zone specializes in: headaches, nosebleeds, hallucinations. Professor Medulin is in over his head, Banzai (a radio enthusiast) steps in, and things go sideways.
Gear heads get a new toy too: the GP37V2, a modified rifle aimed at players who like precision more than panic. It comes with a pre-installed suppressor, a low-magnification scope, and is tuned for single and burst fire only. Higher risk, higher reward.
Exploration-wise, the update points players toward the Red Forest area, including places like Fairy Tale Pioneer Camp and Old Mine, while also routing the story through several (now re-inhabited) familiar-sounding spots across the map. Expect a mix of “hey, I remember this” and “I absolutely do not like this corridor.”
The headline feature for long-haulers is the new hub tied to story outcomes, appearing in Burnt Forest. It’s described as a proper stalker-friendly setup: technician, trader, medic, guide, plus the essentials like a place to sleep and your stash.
As for the delay: the studio says “last-minute complications” forced a couple extra days, with an apology and the promise that the wait will be worth it.
Community reaction has mostly been the good kind of disbelief, the “free content before the holidays” flavor. One fan summed up the mood as: “feels like we have been blessed by the wish granter.”
Sources:
Marci
What do you think? Share with us.
Comment section
Hozzászóláshoz vagy kommenteléshez jelentkezz be, vagy ha még nem vagy tagunk, regisztrálj.
News
Team Cherry confirmed a free Sea of Sorrow expansion for Hollow Knight: Silksong in 2026, while cele ...
Hail to the Rainbow is a moody, story-driven FPS set in a post-apocalyptic Eastern European cyberpun ...
