Update 2.1 "The Zone Lookout" for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is now available as a free update across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, letting players manually adjust the A-Life NPC visualisation distance through presets found under Settings → Game → Visualization options, with a Dynamic preset that scales automatically to your hardware—though pushing it higher may affect performance and stability, and the range applies mainly to A-Life NPCs rather than quest or scripted characters .
Long-range combat has been refined alongside this, with adjusted weapon ballistics and gunfights audible from much farther away depending on your preset, while friendly or neutral squad leaders now appear on your compass and can fast-travel you to nearby destinations along their route for a cash fee, provided you aren't overloaded and the locations have already been explored . The update also includes numerous bug fixes, balance adjustments, and technical improvements shaped by player feedback from social media, forums, and reviews .
More details are available at the official update showcase page.