Just when Stalkers thought they had the Zone figured out, GSC Game World has pulled the curtain back on a massive new expansion. The “Stories Untold” content update, revealed through a haunting new trailer, is a free gift to all owners of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and the recently launched PS5 version.
This update isn’t just a patch; it’s a narrative expansion that adds over five hours of gameplay and a series of haunting new mysteries.
The Mystery of Malachite
The trailer focuses on a chilling phenomenon occurring near the Malachite region. A mysterious radio transmission is sweeping across the western Zone, and the consequences for Stalkers are dire. Those who hear the signal report agonizing headaches, nosebleeds, and vivid, violent hallucinations.
The story centers on two new key figures:
- Professor Medulin: A scientist who has witnessed the signal’s effects firsthand but lacks the technical expertise to stop it.
- Banzai: A radio enthusiast and local Stalker who joins the investigation to decode the transmission before it breaks the minds of everyone in the region.
New Content & Key Features
“Stories Untold” significantly expands the playable map and the tools at your disposal. GSC Game World has confirmed that the update includes:
- 8 New Story Quests: A connected narrative thread that takes you deep into the heart of the signal mystery.
- 7 New & Revamped Locations: Explore previously unused areas like the Fairy Tale Pioneer Camp and the Old Mine in the Red Forest.
- 6 New Characters: Fully voiced NPCs with their own backgrounds and roles in the investigation.
- The GP37V2 Assault Rifle: A unique, quest-reward variant of the GP37. It comes pre-equipped with a suppressor and a low-magnification scope, specifically tuned for semi-automatic and burst fire to reward tactical precision.
Perhaps the most exciting reveal in the trailer is the Burnt Forest Hub. Depending on the choices you make during the new questline, you can actually establish a permanent safe zone in the Burnt Forest.
If your decisions lead to its creation, this area transforms from a mutant-infested wasteland into a populated hub complete with:
- A Trader and Technician
- A Medic and Guide
- Personal Stash and Rest area
This dynamic change allows you to permanently alter the “social fabric” of the Zone, providing a much-needed staging point for late-game expeditions.
Release Date and Platforms
While originally slated for December 16, GSC Game World announced a slight two-day shift to polish the experience. The Stories Untold update is officially launching tomorrow, December 18, 2025.
“The wait will be worth it—we promise! We are bringing back the soul of the Zone with new mysteries for you to solve.”
To dive into the “Stories Untold” expansion as soon as the update goes live tomorrow, you won’t need to navigate complex menus. GSC Game World has integrated the new content directly into the open-world experience.
Leave Zalissya
The “Stories Untold” questline is designed to be accessible early in a playthrough, but it does have one prerequisite: you must have completed the introductory missions and left the Zalissya region. If you are already in the mid-to-late game, the content will trigger for you immediately upon loading your save.
The Emergency Transmission
Unlike traditional quests that appear on a bounty board, this one starts dynamically.
- The Signal: You will receive a garbled emergency PDA transmission while wandering the Zone.
- Highest Spawn Chance: While this message can reach you anywhere, developers have confirmed you have the highest chance of intercepting it while traveling toward or around the Burnt Forest region.
- The Message: Listen for a distress call from Professor Medulin or mention of the “Malachite frequency.”
The Old Mine
Once you’ve intercepted the signal, your PDA will update with a new objective marker.
- Primary Lead: The signal will point you toward the Red Forest.
- Specific Location: Head to the Old Mine in the northern part of the Red Forest. This is where you will first meet the new characters and begin the 8-mission arc.
