Can I play STALKER 2 without playing "STALKER 1"?

You don't need to play the STALKER trilogy first

GSC Game World's long-awaited survival FPS STALKER 2 is finally on the cusp of launching after several years of delays due to Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, and unsurprisingly, hype for it is climbing. Since it's been over 10 years since the last game in the franchise came out, though, many interested in STALKER 2 today are concerned that they'll feel lost in the sequel without having played "STALKER 1."

In actuality, there are three STALKER games — Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat — that released before STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, but don't worry; playing them isn't necessary in order to enjoy the new entry. GSC Game World touched on this directly in the official STALKER 2 FAQ, noting that "it's an independent sequel to the STALKER trilogy, so it can be a great start of your journey within the STALKER universe."

In other words, while STALKER 2 is a sequel to the older games, it sounds like its narrative and events are only loosely (if at all) connected to the trilogy. That means you won't have any trouble understanding what's going on in the story, and can focus on enjoying the FPS instead of worrying about missing vital context or information.

... But you might want to

While playing the original STALKER trilogy isn't a requirement for STALKER 2, you may still want to do so before you jump into the sequel after it launches on November 20. GSC Game World recommends experiencing them first "to maximize the immersion," and speaking as someone who's played the older titles many times, they feature a lot of worldbuilding that will help you understand past events in The Zone, some of its politics, and several of the factions you'll come across in STALKER 2.

• DEAL: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month pre-paid cards are just $29.89 at CDKeys, giving you three months for the price of two even after the recent price increase to $19.99/month

The STALKER trilogy has always been available to play on Windows PC through Valve's PC gaming platform Steam, but earlier this year, it also shadow dropped on Xbox and PlayStation consoles as the "Legends of The Zone Trilogy." Notably, these ports of the games feature several console-specific enhancements like the implementation of a radial menu for easier gear and inventory management as well as the addition of aim assist to make the shooter gameplay more controller-friendly, among others.

While you can buy each STALKER trilogy game individually, the most cost-effective way to pick them up is to buy the $40 bundle of all of them that's offered on both Xbox and PC platforms. Unfortunately, these games aren't playable with Xbox Game Pass, but at least STALKER 2 itself will be.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC on November 20, and looks to be one of this year's best Xbox games and best PC games. It has a $59.99 MSRP, but notably, you can preorder it with a discount at CDKeys right now. On day one, you'll also be able to play it through Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl | $50.69 at CDKeys (Steam, PC)

The wait for STALKER 2 has been a long one, but at long last, it's finally almost here — and you can preorder the highly anticipated survival horror shooter now. Full of dangerous mutants, ruthless bounty hunters, supernatural phenomena, and unimaginable treasures, The Zone is the perfect sandbox for a tough, but rewarding open-world adventure. Who will you be within its borders?

Xbox: Amazon (Physical) | Game Legends (Limited Edition, Physical)
PC: GOG (Digital) | Game Legends (Physical)

STALKER Trilogy | $39.99 at Fanatical (PC, Steam)

Right now, you can snag all three of the original STALKER games for $40 on both Xbox and PC. If you like survival shooters and non-linear open world-style exploration, I can't recommend them enough, especially now that mod support is available on all platforms.

Also at: Xbox