STALKER 2 Patch 2.0 Tested – Huge Improvements
STALKER 2 Update 2.0 PC Performance Tested
GSC Game World has released update 2.0 for STALKER 2, upgrading the game’s engine to Unreal Engine 5.5.4. This update adds new content, visual improvements, an updated A-Life system, and support for the game’s “Cost of Hope” expansion. In short, this update is a big deal. But how does the game run now?
We reviewed the PC version of STALKER 2 when it launched in 2024. Simply put, the game is demanding, but it justifies it with strong visuals. Even so, the game could prove to be highly CPU-limited in many areas, which could make even high-end PCs dip below 60 FPS. Over time, updates have improved the game; that said, Update 2.0 promises an even bigger shift with its move to Unreal Engine 5.5.4. Note that the game launched with Unreal Engine 5.1.
While Unreal Engine 5.5.4 is far from the newest version of Unreal Engine (the newest version is 5.8), most new versions of Unreal Engine 5 have shipped with performance optimisations. These changes have allowed newer Unreal Engine 5 games to run better than early Unreal Engine 5 games. This is especially true for the newest versions of Unreal Engine 5, which support hardware-accelerated ray tracing for the engine’s Lumen lighting system.
Sadly, STALKER 2’s upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.5.4 means it missed the performance benefits of 5.6, 5.7, and 5.8. That said, upgrading an engine isn’t easy, and they needed to lock into a version for their Cost of Hope DLC. Also, it’s worth remembering that versions 5.7 and 5.8 both released within the past year.
HUGE CPU gains!
For our first test, we will use the same CPU test as our original PC Performance Review for STALKER 2. This test takes place in Zalissya, one of STALKER 2’s first settlements. We tested the game at 1080p Epic settings with DLSS set to performance mode on an RTX 4070 Ti. Why an RTX 4070 Ti? It’s the strongest GPU that we tested STALKER 2 with on day-1. While we now have access to stronger PC hardware, we can’t do comparative testing with that hardware.
This test is highly CPU-limited, and below we can see that STALKER 2 version 2.0 runs much faster than its day-1 version. Average framerates shoot up from 84.6 FPS to 120.1 FPS, with 1st percentile framerates increasing from 49 FPS to 81.3 FPS. That’s a 41.9% and 65.9% increase, respectively.
With improvements like these, STALKER 2 now runs much faster on PC in CPU-limited areas. This makes it much easier for high-end PC users to run the game at high framerates. This should also make PC framerates much more consistent throughout the game.
Minimal changes in GPU-limited scenarios
In our GPU test for STALKER 2, we saw similar 4K performance, somewhat higher 1440p performance, and significantly higher 1080p performance. This makes sense given this game’s performance gains in CPU-limited scenarios, but it shows performance hasn’t changed much in fully GPU-limited situations.
Note that STALKER 2 doesn’t look the same as before. Lighting, shadows, and reflections are all improved. In a sense, STALKER 2 now delivers stronger visuals with similar GPU performance to before. That said, I’m sure that many gamers are disappointed that STALKER 2 doesn’t run much faster than it did on day 1, at least in GPU terms.
STALKER 2 is still a demanding game, though it is worth noting that we are using the game’s Epic preset. The game runs much faster at High settings and still looks great. Additionally, the tests below use DLAA. If we used upscaling, we could achieve much higher framerates.
Conclusion
STALKER 2’s 2.0 update has transformed the game. The game’s graphics have improved, and its CPU performance has greatly improved. These changes come from a major engine upgrade and significant changes to STALKER 2’s underlying systems. GSC Game World claims this update includes over 500 major fixes. That alone shows us that this upgrade wasn’t as simple as telling Unreal Engine 5 to move to version 5.5.4.
CPU-wise, our testing shows 41.9% and 65.9% improvements to average and 1st percentile performance in a CPU-limited area. Those changes are transformative. Update 2.0 lets STALKER 2 run at over 60 FPS at all times in our CPU testing area. That’s a big change! While GPU performance gains are more limited, it is worth noting that STALKER 2’s GPU optimisations have also improved the game’s visuals.
If STALKER 2 was mostly GPU-limited on your system before this update, I wouldn’t expect your framerates to change that much. That said, CPU-heavy areas of the game will run much better now, and you will be blessed with improved lighting, shadows, and reflections throughout the game, as well as improved foliage.
STALKER 2 now looks and plays much better on PC. That makes now a great time to enter “the zone”; whether you are a newcomer to the game, or want to return to STALKER 2 for its new “Cost of Hope” expansion of 2.0 content.
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