A new update for Stalker: Legends of the Zone Trilogy is here, adding a suite of enhancements for those playing on PS5, Pro, PC and Xbox Series consoles. This enhanced edition takes the existing trilogy released on PS4 and Xbox One in March 2024, and embellishes the package even further. In terms of visual upgrades it promises screen-space reflections, improved global illumination, upscaled textures, cutscenes, 3D models, new skyboxes, and god rays. Mouse and keyboard controls are also added on PS5 and Xbox Series machines alongside numerous tweaks and bug fixes. Rounding that out are multiple graphics modes for current-gen machines, letting us run each game at pretty much every reasonable denomination of frame-rate: 30, 40, 60, and even 120fps. So how radical a difference is this enhanced release when compared to the previous version and what’s the best way to play?
To this day, the original Stalker trilogy has a passionate following for good reason. Originally released on PC in 2007, the first game – Stalker: Shadow of Chornobyl – presents a dark, post-nuclear version of events in which you play as a mercenary-for-hire. At its core, Stalker is a first-person shooter but its open-ended design, dialogue trees and inventory menu give it something of an RPG flavour too. It’s also brutally difficult even on the lowest rookie setting, and that comes paired with an equally oppressive atmosphere. Warring clans, and abnormal creatures roam the landscape, forcing you to scavenge every downed foe and every derelict building for better gear in a bid for survival.
The open world was brilliantly brought to life for its time too. Dynamic shadows allow everything including birds overhead to cast shadows to the ground, while weather systems, a day-night cycle, and complex enemy AI all run to their own logic – meaning battles emerge outside of player control. Developer GSC Game World pushed its X-Ray engine towards some cutting edge rendering techniques for 2007 here, with parallax occlusion maps used to chisel out brickwork detail, while also making great use of object physics and body rag dolls.
| 30FPS Quality | 40FPS Balanced | 60FPS Performance | 120FPS Ultra Perf | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P55 Pro | 3840×2160 | 3840×2160 | 3200×1800 – 3840×2160 | 2560×1440 |
| PS5/ Series X | 3840×2160 | 3584×2016 – 3840×2160 | 2400×1350 – 3120×1755 | 2060×1170 – 2560×1440 |
| Series S | 2560×1440 | 2112×1188 – 2560×1440 | 1536×864 – 1920×1080 | NA |
In terms of this enhanced release then, there are upgrades to all games in the Legends of the Zone Trilogy – comprising of Stalker Shadow of Chornobyl, the 2008 prequel Clear Sky and finally 2009’s Call of Prypiat. Comparing the older PC version of the Stalker trilogy, it’s augmented in many key areas. Firstly, you’ll notice pre-rendered cutscenes now present with a higher bitrate 4K encode in each game. These appear to use AI upscaling to hit 4K, and while there are visible artefacts as a result of using a lower res base encode for this upscale, it’s a much-needed improvement.