Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl Update 1.5 Brings A-Life Enhancements, New Content, and Performance Fixes

GSC Game World has released Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl Update 1.5, a massive June 2025 update that brings numerous improvements to the A-Life system, adds new anomalies, and includes various other gameplay changes. The update was announced just days after the release of a large patch focused on mutant actions and AI fighting changes.

The A-Life system in Stalker 2 has been significantly enhanced, making the Zone feel more active and real. NPCs now act on their own without the player nearby, going through their routines and showing up in different places over time. This adds more immersion to the world and makes it feel more alive. Additionally, respawn systems have been improved to prevent enemies from suddenly appearing too close to the player.

The update also introduces several new content additions, including the Water Electric Tornado anomaly, the Three-Line Rifle, and the Kora handgun. Players can now collect mutant parts, adding more depth and value to exploring and fighting. Other changes include a bigger player stash, clear artifact slot indicators during armor upgrades, and a new “Fix all” button to make gear repair easier.

AI and combat behavior in Stalker 2 have been improved with specific fixes and balance changes. Mutants like the Snork, Controller, and Pseudogiant now act more reliably, while long-range NPC shooting has been reduced through new bullet drops. NPCs now choose better cover spots, and bugs like creatures hitting through walls or making noise after death have been fixed. Additionally, Stalker 2's weapon balance has been adjusted, including updates to bullet types and armor damage, with artifacts also having new effects.

The June Stalker 2 update also brings many performance and stability fixes. Crashes caused by missions, specific areas, or Xbox quick resume have been resolved, and the frame rate is now better in crowded areas and during story scenes. Other updates include ultrawide support, better item sorting, new sound cues, and a new “Auto Detect” option in the graphics menu, making the game smoother and easier to use on all systems.

Here are the key changes and additions in Stalker 2 Update 1.5:

• A-Life Changes: Life in the Zone is now simulated for all characters, not just those in the player's view. Characters continue to live their lives and pursue their goals in the Zone until they meet their end. Players may encounter more A-Life characters resting or interacting in various locations. Characters will no longer respawn directly in front of the player. A-Life Director will no longer respawn characters at the edge of visualization. Instead, respawn moved further away from the player while maintaining the Zone's population. Visualization range is slightly increased to reduce the "pop-in" effect and contribute to a more seamless character visualization.
• New Content: Added new anomaly: Water Electric Tornado. Added Three-Line Rifle weapon. Added new handgun Kora. Added looting of mutant parts feature. Added displaying of available artifact slots for armors in the Upgrade tab. Increased player stash window size. Fixed an issue when the "Take all" button became inactive after putting any item to the loot window. Added unlockable "Fix all" button in the technician's upgrade menu to repair all equipped gear. Added reload renewal feature for all weapons.
• AI and Combat: Fixed issues with Snork jumping off from some isolated areas. Fixed Controller's ability to deal damage out of line of sight through objects and walls. Fixed Pseudogiant getting stuck at short distances from the player. Fixed Rodents making sounds after death. Added ballistic falloff on long distances for NPCs to prevent them from hitting players too far away. Improved mutants' attacking behavior when the player is standing still. Fixed Chimera's jump attack dealing damage before reaching the player. Fixed Burer being killed while its shield was active if close. Fixed NPCs taking exposed cover while fighting with each other. Fixed NPCs walking in place in peaceful hubs.
• Balance: Fixed generic issue where Mission NPC could have overpowered items in inventory. Reworked ammo for machine guns and sniper rifles: replaced 762x39 MM ammo with 762x54 MM ammo; Sniper rifles now don't use light steel core ammo without weapon upgrade; PKP machine guns, Mark I EMR, and Three-Line Rifle can use light steel core ammo by default; supersonic ammo now deals less damage to weapon durability. Increased armor penetration for Grom S15 weapon and AS Lavina weapon. Reworked damage of Cavalier unique weapon. Rebalanced artifacts' effects: Horn decreased chemical and radio protection; Rosin replaced "weight: weak" effect with "endurance: weak"; Shell replaced "radiation: weak" effect with "endurance: weak"; implemented new artifact effect: Durability that increases durability of equipped gear