The acclaimed S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, which blends horror, first-person shooter, exploration, and immersive sim elements, is finally available on Xbox consoles. The Legends of the Zone bundle, which includes all three games of the original trilogy, was launched today during the Xbox Partner Preview broadcast.
A Surprise for Xbox Gamers
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy is a surprise release for Xbox gamers, who have never had the chance to play these cult-classic PC games before. The bundle contains Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat, which are set in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and feature a hostile and mysterious environment known as The Zone.
The bundle is available on the Microsoft Store for $39.99 USD, or each game can be purchased individually for $19.99 USD each. The games are compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S via backwards compatibility, and have been optimized for console interfaces and controllers.
A Prelude to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
The release of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy is also a great opportunity for Xbox gamers to get familiar with the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe before the launch of the highly anticipated sequel, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which is coming day one to Game Pass on September 5, 2024.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is expected to be a massive open-world game that will offer unprecedented freedom, immersion, and realism. The game will feature a branching storyline, dynamic weather and day-night cycles, advanced AI, and stunning graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5.
A Challenge for the Developers
Bringing the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy to consoles was not an easy task, as the games were designed for PC and had complex gameplay systems and mechanics. The developers at GSC Game World and their partners at Mataboo had to create everything from scratch, ensuring that the games were easy to control and comfortable to play on Xbox.
According to GSC Game World PR Specialist Zakhar Bocharov, the developers wanted to preserve the unique gameplay loop and the feeling of overcoming The Zone’s challenges, while adapting the experience for consoles. They developed a weapon selection wheel, made changes to the aiming system and the menu navigation, and maintained every element from the original games.
A Cult Classic for a New Audience
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series has been praised by critics and fans alike for its atmospheric and immersive gameplay, its rich and detailed world, its emergent and unpredictable events, and its hardcore and rewarding difficulty. The games have also inspired numerous mods, fan projects, and spin-offs over the years.
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy is a chance for a new audience of Xbox gamers to discover and enjoy these cult classic games, and to prepare themselves for the next chapter of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. saga.