When diving into open-world games, you’re often met with an array of fascinating characters—from the heroes and villains to quirky sidekicks and memorable NPCs who hand out quests. “STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl” definitely fits this mold, presenting an extensive group of intriguing personalities struggling to survive.
The game is set in the dreary Zone of Alienation around the infamous Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, a place crawling with mutant creatures and ever-present dangers. At first, you might expect only somber figures in such a grim setting, but “STALKER 2” mixes it up with characters who are as lively as they are mysterious. And of course, Strelok, the protagonist from the original series, stands out vividly as a core figure in the STALKER universe.
In delving into this game, you’ll uncover the rich history surrounding Strelok. A few years after a (fictional) second catastrophe at Chornobyl in 2006, scavengers, now known as “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s,” ventured into this hazardous zone hunting for artifacts. Strelok was among the few to blaze that trail. During one expedition, he found a blueprint for an underground system leading directly to the heart of the zone at the power plant.
Most folks steered clear of this zone’s center, thanks to a brainwashing device called the Brain Scorcher used by the Monolith faction to trap and control intruding minds. But with those underground plans, Strelok and his allies aimed to outmaneuver it. Together with fellow adventurers Fang and Ghost, Strelok dared into the heart of the Chornobyl Power Plant, surviving encounters relatively unscathed, until a locked door halted their progress. Forced to retreat, they fled, only for Strelok to be severely injured by an energy wave, barely escaping thanks to his friends. Alas, they surrendered him to a Monolith Death Truck, meant to carry brainwashed soldiers back into the zone.
During the events of “STALKER: Clear Sky,” Strelok emerges as the antagonist in the prequel, depicting the complex layers of his journey.
Later on, in “Shadow of Chornobyl,” the plot intensifies. Strelok, caught in a vehicle wreck due to an anomaly, wakes up with no memory, only a mission that reads “Kill Strelok.” This identity crisis leads him on a quest across the treacherous zone, meeting former comrades like Doc, who gradually helps him piece back his fragmented memory. Equipped with a vital decoder, Strelok reenters the power plant, faces Monolith forces, and refuses an alliance with the mysterious C-Consciousness. In a decisive move, he destroys the stasis chambers housing these scientists, presumably ending their hold.
In “Call of Pripyat,” while not the main focus, Strelok still plays a key role. By advising the military on safe entry points into the zone, he assists in the Pripyat evacuation. Ultimately, he transitions into a consultancy role, guiding researchers delving into the zone’s secrets.
“STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl” embraces its historical sci-fi roots, cementing its place in the gaming world. It invites players into a haunting yet captivating world, where making tough choices affects your path, whether you ally with factions or wield any of the numerous weapon variants at your disposal. This game isn’t just about survival; it pushes you to uncover truths in a post-apocalyptic landscape, where every decision can shape your destiny.
