STALKER: Legends of the Zone is being enhanced further for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC next week

STALKER: Legends of the Zone is set to release a new Enhanced Edition, which will enhance the 2024 console port to fully utilize the capabilities of PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and modern PC hardware. The Enhanced Edition of STALKER: Legends of the Zone is scheduled to launch on 20th May.

The Enhanced Edition of STALKER: Legends of the Zone will provide a visual upgrade to the original trilogy of STALKER games – Shadow of Chornobyl (2007), Clear Sky (2008), and Call of Prypiat (2009). This will include enhanced visuals, optimizations for newer consoles, and mod support. Previously, the 2024 Legends of the Zone port was playable on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S through backward compatibility, but now there is specific support for these platforms. Additionally, a PC version of Legends of the Zone with the same enhancements will be released.

The enhancements will feature:

• Enhanced lighting with godrays, screen space reflections, and global illumination for a more immersive experience.
• Upscaled textures and detailed 3D models for NPCs, weapons, and environments.
• Advanced shaders for water and wetness effects, along with upgraded skyboxes for a dynamic world.
• 4K pre-rendered cinematics for storytelling and improved weapon FOV for better combat visibility.

On consoles, various graphics modes will be available:

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)

(“2K” likely refers to 1440p)

The Enhanced Edition will also include keyboard and mouse support, as well as Mod.io integration for mod sharing across PC and consoles.

On PC, the trilogy will be optimized for Steam Deck, with Steam Workshop integration, cloud saves, and gamepad support.

Existing owners will receive a free upgrade. Those who owned the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Legends of the Zone will receive the Enhanced Edition for free on the current-gen consoles. Similarly, owners of the original STALKER games on PC will also receive the Enhanced Editions for free, ensuring compatibility with mods.

STALKER: Legends of the Zone provided console gamers with a chance to experience the original trilogy before the release of STALKER 2 at the end of 2024. This Enhanced Edition aims to further enhance the experience, building upon the previous console release. As previously mentioned, “On the sliding scale of remasters, the Legends of the Zone Trilogy is more of a port rather than an attempt to give these games a total makeover. […] As someone who struggled to get them running on my own PC back around the time they launched, being able to finally venture into the Zone on console has been immensely satisfying, even if these ageing first-person shooters don’t cater to modern gamer sensibilities.”

Source: press release