GSC Game World, the Ukrainian studio behind the hit S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (hereinafter S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2), has confirmed that its first major expansion is set to launch this summer. It promises dozens of hours of fresh narrative content and two entirely new regions to explore.

GSC Game World unveiled the expansion, titled 'Cost of Hope', during the 'Xbox Partner Preview' broadcast on March 27. Much like the original game, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is structured in three parts, and this expansion serves as the critical middle chapter of that trilogy, bridging the gap toward a grander narrative that will conclude with a second DLC.

Players will finally be able to explore the 'Iron Forest' and the 'Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant'. These regions are vast, featuring central hubs and dozens of smaller points of interest. Brace yourself for a brutal trek filled with new mutants, lethal anomalies, and human threats, all of which will require you to master the newly added arsenal of weapons and armor.

The new storyline features outcomes dictated by player choices. You continue your journey as Skif, the protagonist from the base game. Keep a keen eye on your PDA during the campaign, as it will signal the start of this new arc—which aims to address several lingering mysteries from both the first and second games.

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 expansion 'Cost of Hope' is slated for a summer release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Both the base game and the DLC will support Xbox Play Anywhere.