S. T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope, the first major expansion for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, is coming to Xbox Series XIS, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PC, and PlayStation 5 in Summer 2026.
In Cost of Hope, players once again take on the role of Skif, the protagonist of the core game, as he navigates events unfolding alongside Heart of Chornobyl. After installing the DLC, a signal on the PDA will trigger the new storyline as the game unfolds. As always, your choices shape what happens next – and the consequences could affect not just the Zone, but far beyond it.
Cost of Hope introduces two new regions to explore. Players willget to navigate the iconic Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, thst wad once abandoned and locked away for decades, but is now calling stalkers back in. You’ll also be able to traverse the Iron Forest’s maze-like paths and uncover uncharted locations along the way. Each region features its own hub, quests, and activities. New weapons and gear give Skif a fighting chance against mutants, anomalies, and other dangers that are lurking.
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 expansions will be released in installments, with Cost of Hope serving as the middle chapter of the “second trilogy.” Together with a future story DLC (details of which will be revealed later), it will form a new, expansive narrative arc within the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. saga.
Developer GSC Game World promises that more information on the expansion’s Summer 2026 release will be shared soon.
In the meantime, you can check out the first new trailer below.
