S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope out now with new trailer and free update 2.0

Published: 13:41, 20 August 2026
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GSC Game World
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope out now with new trailer and free update 2.0
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope expansion launches today on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 with dozens of hours of new nonlinear gameplay as protagonist Skif

Key Points from the Article

  • Expansion includes new locations like Iron Forest, new weapons/equipment, new stories/characters, and escalating conflict between Duty and Freedom factions over Zone mutations
  • Free Update 2.0 "Back to the Zone" releases alongside expansion, overhauling visuals and atmosphere for all players
  • Cost of Hope available separately for $29.99/€29.99 or bundled with Heart of Chornobyl in Ultimate Edition
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope expansion launches today on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 with dozens of hours of new nonlinear gameplay as protagonist Skif

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope is out now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Check out the launch trailer, new content and free Update 2.0.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope has launched today, allowing players another opportunity to venture into the Zone. Developer GSC Game World has released Heart of Chornobyl’s first major expansion pack with a new launch trailer and accompanying free Update 2.0, “Back to the Zone.”

Available on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, Cost of Hope features a nonlinear adventure with dozens of hours of new gameplay. You play as Skif, who once again finds himself in the middle of conflict within the Zone.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope Launch Trailer 

GSC Game World released the new trailer for Cost of Hope, highlighting the dark atmosphere, locales, and more dangers players can expect.

Cost of Hope takes place during Heart of Chornobyl, as Skif journeys through familiar locales and stumbles upon new ones.

What’s in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope: 

  • Dozens of hours of new gameplay. 
  • A vast nonlinear adventure. 
  • New locations such as the Iron Forest. 
  • Return to familiar grounds within the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
  • New weapons and equipment. 
  • New stories and characters. 
  • New dangers, mutants, and anomalies. 

The conflict between Duty and Freedom escalates in this expansion, as Duty sees the mutations in the Zone as threats that should be destroyed, and Freedom wants to study them.

Update 2.0 Is Free for Everyone 

Not only does Cost of Hope launch today, but the free Update 2.0 “Back to the Zone” is also available now. The update overhauls the visuals and atmosphere of the Zone, for players to enjoy whether or not they choose to buy Cost of Hope.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope is available today on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Pick up the Cost of Hope expansion separately for $29.99/€29.99. However, it is also bundled with Heart of Chornobyl in the Ultimate Edition, subject to regional pricing.


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