STALKER 2 New Update Patch 1.4

Developed by GSC Game World, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a unique single-player RPG that masterfully blends first-person shooting, survival horror, and immersive sim elements, earning a devoted fanbase along the way. For May 2025, the game has received a major update with Patch 1.4, addressing over 700 fixes and improvements. This update significantly enhances AI behavior, combat mechanics, and overall game performance. Let’s take a closer look at STALKER 2 New Update Patch 1.4.

STALKER 2 New Update

STALKER 2 New Update Patch 1.4 delivers a wide range of improvements and fixes. It focuses on smarter enemy tactics and more immersive encounters, so players can expect greater challenges from the Zone’s deadliest threats. STALKER 2 New Update Patch 1.4 offers:

Mutants improvements
AI and combat fixes
Balance changes
Bug, crashes, and performance fixes
Changes to main, side quests, and open-world encounters
Technical updates

Mutants improvements

Mutants will now perform corpse-eating animations when dead bodies are nearby.
Mutants can enter an ‘alert’ state when they detect nearby movement or activity.

AI and combat fixes

NPCs now shoot more effectively from cover.
Refined mutant behavior during combat for more realistic encounters.
Improved aiming accuracy for NPCs taking low cover positions.
NPC shooting range is now better balanced based on the weapon they’re using.
Fixed unpredictable behavior in A-Life NPCs after they engage enemy lairs.

Balance changes

Increased RPG damage for greater impact.
Explosions now deal more damage to high-ranking enemies.
The lethal radius of grenades has been reduced for better balance.
The concussion effect radius of RPGs has been expanded.
Additional silencers to loot stashes.

Bug, crashes, and performance fixes

Optimized lighting and shadow performance across various regions and locations.
Improved level of detail for grass in multiple areas to enhance visual quality and performance.
Enhanced performance for the light garlands at the 100 Rads Bar.
Additional behind-the-scenes CPU optimizations have been implemented to improve overall game performance.

Changes to main, side quests, and open-world encounters

The Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl update also addresses several mission-specific issues. Notably, bugs in The Lost Boys mission, Big Score mission, The Boundary mission, The Last Step mission, Haystack mission, and many more.

The developers also pointed out two quirky fixes: one involving shooting sausage props, and another where ducks would bizarrely dive into the water after being shot.

Technical updates

Improved NPC pathfinding for smoother navigation.
Scripted NPC animations received minor polishing and refinements.
Facial animations have been enhanced for greater realism and expressiveness.
Bolt impact sounds have been updated for a more immersive audio experience.

Summary

With STALKER 2 New Update Patch 1.4, the studio has delivered on key promises, including upgrades to the A-Life system, the addition of new weapons and mutant loot, and further bug fixes aimed at streamlining gameplay. There are also upcoming features like widescreen aspect ratio support, improved optimization, enhanced anomaly behavior, and overall game stabilization.