The Zone will become even more hardcore: a “Master” difficulty level will soon appear in STALKER 2
Ukrainian studio GSC Game World is preparing a major update 1.7 for the shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. It promises to add many new features and interesting mechanics, but it is now known that the developers will fulfill one of the main desires of hardcore fans of the series.
What is known
The authors of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 confirmed that patch 1.7 will include a “Master” difficulty level, which will pose a worthy challenge even to the most experienced explorers of the Zone.
Hey, bravest stalkers!
— S.T.A.L.K.E.R. OFFICIAL (@stalker_thegame) November 4, 2025
Prove your skills — in Update 1.7 you can challenge the Zone on the Master difficulty.
┗|・o・|┛
Update 1.7 is coming soon... pic.twitter.com/x49acKBvpp
On “Master,” there will be significantly fewer resources and bullets, prices at merchants will be even higher, hints and interface elements will not appear on the screen, and after selecting this difficulty level at the beginning of the playthrough, it cannot be changed.
It is still unknown when exactly patch 1.7 will be released, but it is highly likely to happen simultaneously with the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl on PlayStation 5 — November 20th.
Source: @stalker_thegame
