GSC Game World has unveiled the patch notes for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl update 1.5.1, a modest yet impactful update that resolves several gameplay issues. Released in November 2024 after numerous delays, this first-person shooter serves as the fourth main installment in the acclaimed survival horror series and the first new entry in 15 years since Call of Pripyat. The game quickly became a fan favorite, selling over one million copies within its first two days.

This latest patch follows June's substantial update 1.5, which introduced new weapons, looting mechanics, and A-Life system improvements. While smaller in scope, update 1.5.1 focuses on refining the player experience by addressing various bugs and enhancing stability.

The patch notes, shared on Steam, highlight several key fixes. Bloodsuckers will no longer harass hub areas, and NPCs have been corrected to prevent bizarre behaviors like flying away after headshots. The update also resolves issues with NPC pathfinding during patrols and their failure to seek shelter during Emissions in offline mode.

A significant focus of the update addresses the A-Life 2.0 system, fixing problems with mutants and NPCs spawning in restricted zones like hubs and main quest locations. This comes after player feedback about the system's initial instability.

In response to community requests for better modding tools, update 1.5.1 introduces a new Zone Kit as part of the MOD SDK. This addition supports content from recent patches and helps reduce instability for player-created modifications. The developer's commitment to mod support has been well-received by the community.

The patch also includes numerous quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes across various missions and gameplay systems. These range from inventory interface adjustments to resolving specific mission progression blockers.

Looking ahead, GSC Game World continues to deliver on its Q2 content roadmap, which has already brought new weapons, controller enhancements, and critical A-Life fixes. The recent release of STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy Enhanced Edition has further expanded the franchise's offerings for both new and veteran players.

Below are the complete patch notes for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl update 1.5.1:

• Fixed NPCs not seeking shelter during Emissions in offline mode
• Resolved disappearing interaction hints after save/load
• Corrected NPC pathfinding issues causing them to walk in place
• Fixed bandits attacking players unprovoked during "King Of The Hill" mission
• Addressed elevator exploit in X-17 lab during 'Visions Of Truth' mission
• Fixed corpse misplacement when picked up multiple times
• Adjusted inventory UI elements for better clarity
• Resolved boss fight freezing issues
• Improved looting window functionality
• Fixed NPC corpses physics after headshots
• Addressed multiple crash scenarios
• Corrected FOV reset issues on ultrawide monitors
• Fixed improper NPC hand positioning with pistols
• Resolved NPC collision during patrols
• Addressed Windows scaling affecting fullscreen modes
• Fixed dialog options in "In The Name Of Science" mission
• Updated MOD SDK with 1.5.1 content support