GSC Game World has exciting news for fans of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series with the announcement of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition. This next-gen upgrade of the original trilogy, comprising Shadow of Chornobyl (2007), Clear Sky (2008), and Call of Prypiat (2009), is set to launch on May 20 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Each game in the trilogy will receive a comprehensive overhaul, featuring enhanced visuals, optimizations for next-gen consoles, and expanded mod support.

GSC Game World has announced that owners of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy on Xbox Series X and S or PS5 will receive the Enhanced Edition upgrades at no additional cost. For PC enthusiasts, GSC is showing appreciation to their loyal fans by offering the Enhanced Editions for free to those who already own the original games. New buyers of the Enhanced Editions will also receive the original versions included. The trilogy is available for purchase as a bundle priced at $39.99, or you can opt for individual titles at $19.99 each.

It's important to note that cross-platform saves between PC and consoles will not be supported. Your progress will be exclusive to the platform on which you are playing.

On PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, players can look forward to a variety of frame-rate options for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy Enhanced Edition. These include standard modes at 30 FPS and 60 FPS, along with specialized modes targeting 40 FPS and up to 120 FPS, which are exclusively available for displays equipped with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology.

The Enhanced Edition on consoles will offer different graphical and performance modes, including a Quality Balanced mode, a Performance mode, and an Ultra Performance mode. Here's how these modes break down:

• Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro: Quality (native 4K/30 FPS), Balanced (upscaled 4K/40 FPS), Performance (upscaled 4K/60 FPS), Ultra Performance (upscaled 2K/120 FPS).
• Xbox Series S: Quality (native 2K/30 FPS), Balanced (upscaled 2K/40 FPS), Performance (1080p/60 FPS).

Both the Quality Balanced mode and the Ultra Performance mode are exclusively available when using a display that supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology.

Visual upgrades across all platforms include:

• Enhanced lighting with godrays, screen space reflections, and global illumination for a more immersive atmosphere.
• Upscaled textures and detailed 3D models for NPCs, weapons, and environments.
• Advanced shaders for water and wetness effects, paired with upgraded skyboxes for a more dynamic world.
• 4K pre-rendered cinematics for dramatic storytelling and improved weapon FOV for better combat visibility.

Console-specific enhancements and new graphic mods for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S include:

• Keyboard & Mouse Support: Available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S for a tailored experience.
• Mod.io Integration: Create and share mods across PC and consoles via mod.io (https://mod.io/).

For PC players, the Enhanced Edition brings several features:

• Steam Deck Optimized: Play the trilogy on the go with full Steam Deck compatibility.
• Steam Workshop Integration: Access a vast library of user-generated mods.
• Cloud Saves: Seamless progress backup across devices.
• Gamepad Support: Full controller compatibility for a console-like experience on PC.

GSC Game World, the developer based in Kyiv, Ukraine, previously released the successful sequel, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, last year. For more information on how S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has transformed the studio amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, you can read more here.