Hearts of Iron IV vs S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
A full spec-by-spec comparison of Hearts of Iron IV vs S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl — engine, performance, dimensions, features and price, with the differences highlighted to help you decide.
| Specification | Hearts of Iron IV Paradox Interactive | S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl SEGA, GSC Game World, 4Divinity |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release Date | June 6, 2016 | November 20, 2024 |
| Availability | Released | Released |
| Developer | Paradox Development Studio | GSC Game World |
| Publisher | Paradox Interactive | SEGA, GSC Game World, 4Divinity |
| Official Site | http://www.heartsofiron4.com/ | https://www.stalker2.com/ |
| Gameplay | ||
| Genre | Strategy, Simulation | Action, Shooter, Adventure, RPG |
| Game Modes | Single-player, Multiplayer, Co-op | Single-player |
| Average Playtime | 8 hours | 7 hours |
| Perspective | — | First-person |
| Platforms & Pricing | ||
| Platforms | PC, Apple Macintosh, Linux | PC, Xbox |
| Available On | Steam | GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Store |
| PC Requirements | ||
| Minimum Requirements | OS: Windows 7 64-bit or newer Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 @ 2.66 GHz / AMD Athlon II X4 650 @ 3.20 GHz Memory: 4 GB RAM Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5850 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX470 with 1GB VRAM DirectX: Version 9.0c Storage: 2 GB available space Sound Card: Direct X- compatible soundcard. Additional Notes: Mouse and keyboard are required. / Latest available WHQL drivers from both manufacturers/ Internet Connection or LAN for multiplayer, Up to 32 other players in multiplayer mode. | OS: Windows 10 x64 / Windows 11 x64 Processor: Intel Core i7-7700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X Memory: 16 GB RAM Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB / AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB / Intel Arc A750 Storage: 160 GB available space Additional Notes: Graphics Preset: LOW / Resolution: 1080p / Target FPS: 30. 16 GB Dual Channel RAM. SSD required. The listed specifications were evaluated using TSR and comparable technologies. |
| Recommended Requirements | OS: Windows 7 64-bit or newer Processor: Intel Core i5 750 @ 2.66 GHz / AMD Phenom II X4 955 @ 3.20 GHz Memory: 4 GB RAM Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 6950 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX570 with 2GB VRAM DirectX: Version 9.0c Storage: 2 GB available space Sound Card: Direct X- compatible soundcard. Additional Notes: Mouse and keyboard are required. / Latest available WHQL drivers from both manufacturers. / Internet Connection or LAN for multiplayer, Up to 32 other players in multiplayer mode. | OS: Windows 10 x64 / Windows 11 x64 Processor: Intel Core i7-11700 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Memory: 32 GB RAM Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti / Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT Storage: 160 GB available space Additional Notes: Graphics Preset: HIGH / Resolution: 1440p / Target FPS: 60. 32 GB Dual Channel RAM. SSD required. The above specifications were tested with TSR, DLSS, FSR and XeSS. |
| Critic & Community Scores | ||
| Metacritic | 83 / 100 | — |
| Community Rating | 4.1 / 5 (382 ratings) | 3.8 / 5 (312 ratings) |
Hearts of Iron IV vs S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl: which should you buy?
For Filipino buyers seeking a balanced strategy experience without demanding high-end hardware, Hearts of Iron IV is the better choice. It costs 0 PHP (free) and runs on PC, Apple Macintosh, and Linux via Steam, requiring only a basic system like Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 or AMD Athlon II X4 650 at 4 GB RAM, making it accessible for casual or mid-range PCs. In contrast, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl requires a minimum of 16 GB RAM and an SSD for high settings, costing 0 PHP as well but demanding far more power. While S.T.A.L.K.E. offers a new first-person shooter experience, it lacks multiplayer co-op and has a lower community rating. Hearts of Iron IV’s 83 Metacritic score and 4.1 community rating also outperform S.T.A.L.K.E.E. 2’s 3.8. For daily commuting or casual play, Hearts of Iron IV is more practical. For hardcore shooters needing high graphics and 32 GB RAM, S.T.A.L.K.E.E. 2 is superior, but at a higher technical barrier.
Frequently asked questions
Which game costs more to download in the Philippines?
Both games are free to download, costing 0 PHP each.
Which game requires more RAM for optimal performance?
S.T.A.L.K.E. 2 requires 16 GB RAM minimum, while Hearts of Iron IV only needs 4 GB RAM.
Can I play mode availability in the game with better multiplayer options?
Hearts of Iron IV supports multiplayer and co-op, while S.T.A.L.K.E. 2 only supports single-player.