PlayStation owners are finally breaching the perimeter. With the PS5 release imminent, GSC Game World has detailed exactly what comes in the premium packages for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. If you are stepping into Skif's boots for the first time, these editions offer more than just cosmetics—they provide distinct starting advantages and extra narrative content that fleshes out the Zone.
Deluxe Edition: The Survivalist's Choice
The Deluxe Edition focuses on getting you established in the Zone without the brutal early-game grind for basic gear. The standout inclusion here isn't actually a weapon, but the Bonus Side Quest. Given how deeply S.T.A.L.K.E.R. relies on environmental storytelling and faction relations, locking a quest behind an edition is significant. It suggests a standalone narrative thread separate from the main conflict involving the Ward and Spark factions.
On the gear front, you secure the Ultra Lightweight Mercenary suit. In a game where stamina management is critical for escaping anomalies (and mutants), a lightweight suit early on can be the difference between keeping your loot or losing it. You also get the Gabion assault rifle, providing reliable firepower before you start scavenging high-tier military tech.
Deluxe Contents:
- Bonus Side Quest
- Official Artbook & Soundtrack
- Ultra Lightweight Mercenary Suit
- Gabion Assault Rifle
- Season Pass (All future DLCs)
Ultimate Edition: Heavy Ward Gear
The Ultimate Edition is for players who want to roleplay the heavy hitters immediately. The headline item is the PSZ-21W SHTURM Ward Exoskeleton. In the lore, the Ward is the faction dedicated to policing and containing the Zone. Their gear is typically heavy, expensive, and highly protective. Starting with access to a Ward Exoskeleton changes the early game dynamic entirely, allowing you to tank damage that would shred a standard Loner jacket.
You also gain access to the 'Monolith' Viper SMG. This weapon ties directly into the legacy of the Monolith faction—the brainwashed cultists that veterans of the series know well. With the Noontide faction playing a role in Skif's journey (featuring ex-Monolith soldiers like Strider), wielding their signature weaponry adds a nice layer of narrative irony.
Ultimate Exclusives (Includes all Deluxe content):
- PSZ-21W SHTURM Ward Exoskeleton
- 'Monolith' Viper SMG
- Additional Weapon & Suit Skins
- Multiplayer Skins (Early Bird access)
Is the Season Pass essential for the full story?
If you plan to commit to the Zone long-term, the Season Pass included in both editions is the major value proposition. GSC Game World has a history of substantial expansions (like Call of Pripyat which started as a sequel), so the promised story DLCs are likely to be significant additions to the lore, possibly expanding on the conflict between the Ward and the Spark, or exploring the mystery of the Scanner further.
Soren