What is the open-world map size in Stalker 2? Answered

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl was finally released after years of development and you can read about our impressions of the game in our review. The devs have walked through fire to bring the sequel to the acclaimed trilogy to life. Known for a blend of exploration, shooter, sim, and horror elements, Stalker 2 aims to continue and refine the formula. But what does that mean for the game’s world? Does it switch up and follow a linear path, like some other games in the genre? Keep reading, and we’ll explain how big is the map size in Stalker 2, and whether or not the game is open-world and to what degree.

How big is the Stalker 2 map?

Stalker 2 features a huge open-world map for the players to explore, measuring “more than 60 square kilometres of space” according to the developers. In a later interview with ScreenRant, Evgeniy Kulik, the Technical Producer behind Stalker 2, stated that: “Our map is featuring 64 square kilometres, different locations and – of course – different biomes. You may notice, for example, in the starting regions, it is not that corrupted by the essence of the zone. As you proceed deeper to the zone to the centre, you may notice different factions, different mutants and other inhabitants.”

Speaking further, Kulik added that the map has 20 different regions, each with its own points of interest, big locations, and hubs. The whole map was hand-crafted by the team, meaning that every place on the map and every item is intentionally placed. This, in turn, leverages environmental storytelling for anyone who stops long enough to consider their surroundings.

✓ Map size perspective

During our playthrough, we estimated that it would take around 30 minutes to go from one side of the map to the other – but only if you were completely unobstructed. Realistically speaking, you will almost never have such free reign. Instead, you’ll be accosted by enemies, hostile creatures, obstructed by anomalies… and that’s not even taking into account all the Stamina items you’d have to chug to keep up the pace. Therefore, in a more practical sense, it would take a bit over an hour to get from one end of the map to the other.

Map size compared to previous games

The previous Stalker games differ from Stalker 2 in one major aspect. Before, the maps were divided by loading screens, essentially separating them into multiple maps in each game. Stalker 2 on the other hand won’t have any loading screens between regions, buildings, hubs, etc. To put map sizes into perspective, the previous games in the trilogy combined map sizes are completely dwarfed by Heart of Chornobyl. While the games don’t state the exact map sizes, fans of the series have assembled an approximation. Each game had a combined map of roughly 2.5 square kilometres. Put together, that would make the whole previous trilogy equal to around 7.5 square kilometres – which is much smaller than the expected 64 square kilometres in Stalker 2.

How open world is Stalker 2?

Stalker 2 offers players a truly open-world experience, where non-linear exploration and player’s freedom are central to core gameplay. Unlike some other open-world games, Stalker 2 doesn’t just revolve around a map for you to explore – it allows you to carve your own path through the Exclusion Zone, where every decision you make counts and the world around you reacts to your actions.

The game’s world is vast – filled with radioactive zones, abandoned buildings, and deadly creatures. From the start, you’re free to explore the map without restrictions. There are no invisible walls or forced storylines. if you want to follow the main quests, side missions, or simply venture off the beaten path – it’s all up to you.

One of the main draws are the game’s dynamic environments. The world will constantly shift, with random anomalies, weather changes, and actions taken by hostile factions. A sudden storm could reduce visibility, or a rogue faction might ambush you when you least expect it. This unpredictability makes every journey through the Zone feel fresh and tense.

Your gameplay freedom extends beyond just exploration. Stalker 2 gives you the power to shape your own story. You can ally with factions, take on side quests, or explore and uncover hidden secrets. The choices you make, such as which quests to prioritize, which NPCs to trust, or how to deal with dangerous enemies, will leave a mark on the world. In that sense, no two playthroughs are likely to be the same, giving the game vast replayability value.

Speaking of the game’s open-world, we shouldn’t neglect to mention that the game’s survival mechanics also play a key role in how you interact with the world. You’ll have to deal with deadly anomalies, manage limited resources, and sometimes decide when to fight or flee. Ultimately, Stalker 2 offers an open world that provides complete freedom to the player. The world is a living, breathing environment in which exploration, player choice, and survival all intertwine. 

With the game’s open world at your fingertips, you might wonder if you have to do it all alone – we’ve covered the Stalker 2 multiplayer plans, so give it a read. Also, check out our Stalker 2 beginner’s guide to start your journey on the right track.