Next-Gen Upgrade for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy Revealed

GSC Game World has exciting news for fans of the iconic S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series with the announcement of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition. Set to launch on May 20, this next-gen upgrade brings the beloved trilogy—comprising Shadow of Chornobyl (2007), Clear Sky (2008), and Call of Prypiat (2009)—to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, with a host of enhancements that promise to revitalize these classic titles.

Each game in the trilogy will receive a comprehensive overhaul, featuring upgraded visuals, optimizations for next-gen consoles, and enhanced mod support. This means players can expect richer, more immersive gaming experiences across all platforms.

For current owners of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy on Xbox Series X and S or PS5, the Enhanced Edition comes as a free upgrade. PC gamers are in for a treat as well; GSC Game World is offering the Enhanced Editions free to those who already own the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games. New buyers of the Enhanced Editions will also receive the original versions at no extra cost. The entire trilogy is available for purchase as a bundle at $39.99 or individually at $19.99 per title.

While the Enhanced Edition brings many improvements, it's important to note that cross-platform saves are not supported. Your progress will remain specific to the platform on which you're playing.

Console players on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S will benefit from a variety of frame-rate options. These include standard modes at 30 FPS and 60 FPS, as well as specialized modes targeting 40 FPS and up to 120 FPS. The latter two options are available only on displays that support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology.

On consoles, the Enhanced Edition offers different graphical and performance modes:

• 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 exclusive to displays with VRR technology.

Visual upgrades across all platforms include enhanced lighting with godrays, screen space reflections, and global illumination, creating a more immersive atmosphere. Players can also expect upscaled textures and detailed 3D models for NPCs, weapons, and environments, advanced shaders for water and wetness effects, upgraded skyboxes, 4K pre-rendered cinematics, and improved weapon FOV for better combat visibility.

Console-specific enhancements include:

• Keyboard & Mouse Support on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S for a tailored gaming experience.
• Integration with mod.io for creating and sharing mods across PC and consoles.

PC players will enjoy additional features:

• Steam Deck Optimization for on-the-go gaming.
• Steam Workshop Integration for easy access to a vast library of user-generated mods.
• Cloud Saves for seamless progress backup across devices.
• Full Gamepad Support 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 push boundaries in the gaming industry.