GSC Game World will release a free story expansion for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl on December 16, 2025, available to all owners on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. The “Stories Untold” update adds a new storyline with eight quests spread across seven locations, introduces six new characters, a new sub-region (the Burnt Forest) with a player-created hub, and a unique weapon — the GP37V2 rifle (suppressed, low‑mag scope, single and burst fire). The narrative centres on a mysterious radio signal near the Malachite/Red Forest area that causes headaches, nosebleeds and hallucinations, and player choices can shape outcomes and unlock the new hub. The patch accompanies ongoing technical and gameplay improvements following the game’s year‑long post‑launch support and PlayStation 5 debut; commentators note the drop comes after the game’s recent removal from Xbox Game Pass.