The irradiated, dimension-hopping nightmare of Chernobylite is back—this time, bigger, bolder, and with far more radioactive ambition. Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone isn’t just a sequel; it’s a reimagining of what the survival RPG can be. With a successful Kickstarter under its belt, a confirmed Early Access launch on March 6 for PC, and major mechanical overhauls, here are 15 key things to know before you dive in.

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1. A New Protagonist, a Twisted Premise

No longer following Igor, you now play as Cole Gray, a dimensional traveler from a utopian world powered by Chernobylite. As part of the Plane Walker Program, your job is to harvest Chernobylite from other dimensions—even if they don’t want to share. Things go wrong, and suddenly you’re stuck in a familiar yet foreign exclusion zone.

2. Returning Setting, Twisted Realities

The original Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is back—but with a catch. Thanks to multiversal travel, the world you explore might look the same, but people and events might be different. Even the Black Stalker returns… with surprising new motives.

3. Classes Offer Diverse Playstyles

Choose from six unique classes:

• Eliminator – Melee powerhouse
• Recon – Versatile stealth and camo expert
• Emissary – Ranged combat specialist
• Technician, Scientist, and Chancer offer further stat-based advantages like damage-to-health conversions and more. You’ll eventually unlock Plane Walking, letting you swap builds on the fly.

4. Switch Between Perspectives

Initially revealed as third-person only, player demand brought first-person perspective back. You can now freely toggle between them at any time—whether exploring, fighting, or crafting.

5. Revamped Combat

Combat in third-person is a mix of Soulslike melee and over-the-shoulder shooting. Expect:

• Dodge rolls
• Charged melee attacks
• Backstabs
• Shield-breaking mechanics This system adds weight and timing to encounters, encouraging more deliberate fighting.

6. Attributes Matter

Cole’s stats—like Strength, Perception, and Cunning—don’t just boost damage. They unlock dialogue options, gear requirements, and even alternate traversal paths. Cunning may let you sneak through tight spaces, while Strength lets you break through obstacles.

7. Skill Trees and Trainers

Skills fall into three categories: Mutants, Scientists, and Mercs, reflecting the game’s faction system. Skills include:

• Air Control: Mid-air dodges
• Know Your Enemy: Analyze foes for tactical advantages To unlock these, you’ll need to find trainers, some of whom are your companions.

8. Faction Dynamics

The three skill trees mirror in-world factions:

• Mutants (led by Kendall)
• Scientists (led by Melena)
• Mercs (led by Roy) All have companions and influence the story. Your actions build (or break) reputation meters, impacting support and story progression.

9. Loot, Gear, and Customization

Expect a rich loot system:

• Weapons: Revolvers, rifles, shotguns, melee (yes, including gas pipes)
• Armor types: With varying shield values and resistances
• Consumables: Ammo, money, treasures, and resources are everywhere Looting is essential for survival and upgrading.

10. Base Building Returns

Build and expand a modular home base with:

• Quartermaster Rooms
• Medical and Armor Stations
• Crafting Tables
• Storage Chests and Furniture Layouts are customizable, letting you tailor your hub to fit your survival strategy.

11. Deep Vital System

Survival isn’t just about health. Six vitals determine your well-being:

• Mind, Heart, Bloodstream, Skin, Muscles, Nervous System Radiation, burns, and trauma affect different systems and must be managed carefully. For example:
• Killing humans harms the Heart stat.
• Radiation corrupts the Bloodstream.
• Fire burns affect Skin.

12. Co-op Missions

The game introduces online co-op for select missions. While full implementation details are pending, early glimpses show team-based boss fights and support systems, hinting at greater variety in gameplay.

13. Performance and Optimization

Early Access requirements are reasonable:

• Minimum: GTX 1060 / RX 580, Ryzen 5 5600X
• Recommended: RTX 3060, 16GB RAM Despite this, current builds suffer framerate dips, even with DLSS. Optimization is ongoing, but players should expect some rough edges.

14. Early Access Scope

The Early Access release contains about one-third of the full game’s content. Still, it already feels larger than the original in scope. For comparison, Chernobylite 1 averaged 14.5 hours for the story and 24 hours for completionists.

15. More Customization Incoming

All weapons from the original return with new customization options, including the all-new Blaster weapon. The HUD will be fully customizable in both first- and third-person views. And yes, solo players can expect more unique mission paths.

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Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone looks to take the atmospheric depth and immersive survival mechanics of the first game and elevate them with bigger choices, new mechanics, and a wild multiverse storyline. Whether you’re here for the deep role-playing, eerie exploration, or punishing combat, the Zone is calling again—and it’s stranger than ever.

Get ready to step through the breach.