In an exciting twist for gaming enthusiasts, the legendary S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series has made a surprising entrance onto the Xbox stage. S.T.A.L.K.E.R., an acronym for Scavenger, Trespasser, Adventurer, Loner, Killer, Explorer, and Robber, is a series of first-person shooter survival games set in the area around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster, known as the "Zone." The recently announced "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy" is a collection of the first three titles in the series, now available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Following a notable leak, GSC Game World, the developer of the Stalker series, revealed that the trilogy bundle would be released on March 6, surprising fans with the immediate availability. This bundle, comprising the original trilogy of "Shadow of Chernobyl," "Clear Sky," and "Call of Pripyat," gives gamers the chance to delve into the hauntingly atmospheric world of the Zone. The release of this trilogy comes as an appetizer for the long-anticipated "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl," set to release later on.
The trilogy is bundled together for a price of $39.99 USD on the Microsoft Store, but those who prefer to purchase the titles individually can do so for $19.99 USD each. GSC Game World and Mataboo, a partner in the development process, have ensured that every aspect of the original games remains unaltered, allowing players on Xbox to experience the games as they were initially created.
The prospect of playing these games is particularly exciting for fans as it sets the stage for the upcoming S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. For those new to the series, these games will provide context to the universe's lore and backstory, preparing them for the new narrative and experiences that will come with "Heart of Chornobyl." This sequel is already generating significant buzz in the gaming community due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass on day one, planned for September 5, 2024.
The initial release of the trilogy will be as an Xbox One title, with the added benefit of being playable on Xbox Series X|S through backwards compatibility. Players on the Series X|S platforms can look forward to a "high-fidelity mode," enhancing the visuals and performance of the games, with a promise of further graphical enhancements through a post-launch patch to be released later in the year.
For those keen to expand beyond the base games, mod support has also been announced as an upcoming feature. This gives the player base an opportunity to customize their gameplay experience further by adding new content or modifying existing elements within the games.
An iframe that provides a visual and aural introduction to the trilogy has also been made available:
