STALKER: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced Edition is under heavy fire from fans following its recent release. Once a highly anticipated update to the beloved survival-horror FPS franchise, the new edition is now being review bombed on Steam, with the rating dropping to “Mostly Negative.”
⚠️ Technical Issues and Visual Downgrades
The Enhanced Edition, which promised visual improvements and modern compatibility, has instead left players disappointed. Reports of ghosting, blurred visuals, lack of DLSS/DLAA support, and issues with the game not rendering at native resolutions have flooded review sections.
One disgruntled player commented, “I don’t know how this was approved ready for launch,” while others argue that the remastered visuals look worse than the originals. Many also claim the update broke mod compatibility and introduced more bugs than it fixed.
🧨 Controversy Over Russian Content Removal
The most heated debate surrounds GSC Game World’s decision to remove Russian voice packs, language support, and Soviet-era iconography from the game. This decision was part of a broader effort to distance the content from Russian elements in response to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict, given that the developers are a Ukrainian studio.
Fans, however, are split. While some understand the political context, many argue that the removal of historical and cultural details from the Zone undermines the authenticity and atmosphere of the original games.
One reviewer wrote, “Censoring history is never the answer. These details made the world believable.” The sentiment is echoed by over 400 negative comments out of 600, many accusing the developers of a “pithy derussianization” that harms the franchise’s legacy.
🎮 A Legacy at Risk
The STALKER series, consisting of Shadow of Chernobyl (2007), Clear Sky (2008), and Call of Pripyat (2009), has long been praised for its eerie immersion and Eastern European realism. The Enhanced Edition, released in May 2025, was meant to celebrate that legacy for a new generation of players across PC and modern consoles.
Instead, GSC Game World now faces the challenge of balancing political realities with artistic integrity — and dealing with the fallout from a disappointed fanbase.
🔄 What’s Next?
The developer has yet to release an official response to the backlash. However, many fans are calling for:
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The option to restore original content, including Russian language and assets
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Performance fixes and graphical improvements
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Greater transparency regarding future changes
If GSC Game World wants to maintain player trust ahead of the release of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, responding swiftly to the community’s concerns will be critical.