Despite its successful launch, STALKER 2 continues to challenge even the most powerful hardware. A recent test demonstrates that Apple's M4 Max chip, found in high-end MacBook Pros, struggles to run the game smoothly.
YouTuber Denis Gladkikh showcased STALKER 2 running on an M4 Max MacBook Pro using CrossOver and GPT2 files. Since the game doesn't run natively on Apple Silicon, emulation is required, impacting performance. Even with reduced settings (default "Medium") and a 1600 x 900 resolution, the M4 Max achieved only 30-40 FPS.
The video confirms that no upscaling techniques were used, as the performance graph displayed a 1.0x scaling factor. This underwhelming performance is particularly disappointing given the high price point of M4 Max-equipped MacBook Pros, starting at $3,199.
While native support might improve performance, the current results highlight the limitations of running demanding games like STALKER 2 on non-gaming hardware.
Developer GSC Game World has promised performance-enhancing patches for STALKER 2 in the future. You can watch the gameplay video by Denis Gladkikh and also check out our in-depth review of STALKER 2
