The STALKER series, a well-loved trilogy within the gaming community, held its ground between 2007 and 2009. It all began with the trailblazing “STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl,” continued with its prequel “STALKER: Clear Sky,” and expanded further with “STALKER: Call of Pripyat,” which picked up shortly after the initial game’s events.
These games were not just about survival and exploration; they were rich in lore, weaving in-depth stories that revealed the complex history of the Zone and its unique inhabitants. Fast forward to “STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl,” and this sequel keeps the legacy alive by delving deeper into the lore, even reintroducing old heroes and villains for fans to reconnect with. It’s a good idea for players to refresh their memory on characters like Scar and the enigmatic Clear Sky faction before diving into the new storyline.
Right after the catastrophic Chornobyl Disaster of 1986, a group of scientists from the Soviet Union set up clandestine labs in the Exclusion Zone, aiming to study the mysterious Noosphere—a mystical field believed to affect human emotions and thoughts. Two decades later, in 2006, their experiments backfired, causing another disaster that tore a new rift, which unleashed bizarre Anomalies within the Zone. This breach divided the group: some wanted to harness its power, while others believed in containing or closing it.
The faction known as Clear Sky formed from those who decided to study these Anomalies and aimed to halt the harmful Emissions stemming from the rift. A mercenary named Scar, after a powerful Emission incident left him incapacitated but alive, was drawn into their cause. Rescued by Clear Sky’s Nimble, Scar met with their leader, Lebedev, who revealed that future Emissions could be deadly for him. Thus, Scar was recruited to help fend off the encroaching Renegades in the Great Swamps.
As Scar aids Clear Sky, he’s tasked with a mission to find the Stalkers allegedly causing the Emissions, led by the elusive Strelok. This pursuit takes him across the Zone, eventually leading to an encounter in the Red Forest. Strelok slips through his grasp, but Scar presses on, reaching the heart of the Zone. After capturing Limansk alongside Clear Sky, Scar finally confronts Strelok at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
However, just as victory seems near, another Emission hits, resulting in a chaotic turn of events. Strelok is seized by the Monolith faction, and Scar, along with most of the Clear Sky, either perishes or succumbs to brainwashing, joining Monolith.
“STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl” offers an expansive open world filled with challenges and alliances, set against a backdrop of an evolving post-apocalyptic landscape. Players navigate this dangerous environment, encountering various factions and customizing their arsenal with over 30 weapons, which allows for hundreds of lethal combinations. Available on Xbox Series X and PC in 2024, this game continues to captivate fans with its nonlinear storytelling and strategic gameplay, inviting them to find their path within the storied Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
