GSC Game World will be bringing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl fans the first expansion next month when “Cost of Hope” launches on August 20. The release will coincide with a new 2.0 update for the game. The devs will release more info on the expansion and the update in the coming weeks.

In Cost of Hope, players once again step into the role of Skif — the protagonist of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl — as a mysterious PDA signal draws him into events unfolding alongside the main game’s story.  Players will explore uncharted locations, encounter unexpected allies and enemies, discover powerful weapons, and experience a new story. With dozens of hours of content, your choices will shape the future of the Zone in this major new chapter of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. saga.

Launching in line with Cost of Hope will be a “massive” Update 2.0 for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Available as a free update to all owners of the game, the update will upgrade the game to a new version of Unreal Engine 5, as well as bring a variety of new content and improvements.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will launch for PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store and GOG.com, the Xbox Series and PlayStation 5.