S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Plot: The Complete History of All Parts of the Series

Contents:

• The history of the Zone
• How the Zone works: mysteries and dangers
• The history of Strelok: Faction war
• What to expect from the sequel: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

The expected release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is scheduled for November 20, 2024, which is an important event for devoted fans of the series. 15 years have passed since the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, and during this time, many fans may have lost memory of the key moments of the old games and the character Strelok himself. With the return to the world of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, players will be able to once again immerse themselves in the atmosphere of post-apocalyptic Ukraine, explore new locations, and encounter various anomalies and mutants. Expectations for this game are high, and it promises to be a significant addition to the iconic franchise.

We've developed a short guide to the Zone that will help both long-time fans and new players refresh their memory of important facts. The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe is distinguished by a rich and unique lore that deserves careful exploration. Understanding its fundamental elements and storylines will allow you to delve deeper into the atmosphere and mysteries of the Zone.

The History of the Zone

The events of the first game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl series unfold in the spring of 2012, but the roots of this story go back to the distant past. Immersion in the world of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and its anomalies begins with a backstory that touches on key elements such as the Zone and its impact on people. These aspects form the basis of the plot, creating a unique atmosphere and tension that draws players in. The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. mythology is based on real events, making it especially captivating for fans of post-apocalyptic stories.

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe begins with a catastrophic event—the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, which occurred on the night of April 26, 1986. The explosion of the fourth reactor caused the release of significant amounts of radioactive substances, which subsequently led to the formation of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in 1987. This zone, covering a radius of 30 kilometers, was closed to outsiders and became a symbol of the disaster and its consequences. The Chernobyl zone, with its mysterious anomalies and dangers, is a key element of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. world, where reality and fiction intersect, creating a unique atmosphere for exploration and survival.

Unlike the real world, a unique catastrophe occurred in the game space. On April 12, 2006, an event known as the Second Disaster occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. This resulted in significant energy releases and the creation of dangerous anomalies that radically altered the region's ecosystem and impacted the fates of characters in the game. As a result, players faced new challenges and threats, making gameplay more immersive and tense. Anomalies are unique phenomena that violate the generally accepted laws of physics. Among them are those, such as the "Teleport," which can transport a person, but most anomalies pose serious threats. For example, the "Tesla" anomaly generates powerful electrical discharges, while the "Carousel" can destroy objects and endanger life. Furthermore, these anomalies increase the level of radiation left over from the first disaster, making them particularly dangerous for humans and the environment. It is important to study and understand the nature of anomalies to minimize risks and protect human health.

Just 24 hours after the Second Catastrophe, government forces established a cordon around the Zone. The first scientific expeditions sent to explore this dangerous area ended in tragedy. The rare survivors reported mutants with unique abilities, attracting the attention of scientists and researchers from around the world. The Zone became the subject of intensive study, but every step inside carried a mortal threat.

In 2009, between one and three hundred stalkers were in the Zone, actively exploring this dangerous territory. Stalkers searched for artifacts and studied anomalies, attracting the attention of both adventurers and scientists. The dangers of the Zone did not deter them: risk and adrenaline became an integral part of their lives. This activity underscores the interest in the Zone, its mysteries and potential discoveries, making it a unique place for exploration and extreme sports.

We've launched the "Checkpoint" Telegram channel, where we share opinions on new games, discuss famous developers, and compile thematic collections. Looking for a list of the 40 best horror games? Subscribe to our channel and stay up-to-date with the latest releases and discussions in the world of gaming. Join our community and receive up-to-date information on the most interesting gaming projects.

How the Zone Works: Mysteries and Dangers

The Exclusion Zone around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant attracts the interest of not only scientists, but also stalkers — adventurers and seekers of valuable artifacts. Despite the strict perimeter security, the number of stalkers has been steadily increasing since the early 2010s. This is due to myths about hidden treasures that can be found in the Zone and sold for significant amounts of money. Interest in Chernobyl is driven not only by the search for material values, but also by the desire to explore abandoned places filled with history and mysteries.

Artifacts are mysterious objects that appear in anomalous zones and possess special properties. Their unique properties make these artifacts highly sought after on the black market. For example, the "Fireball" artifact provides protection from radiation, while the "Meat Chunk" significantly improves the wearer's health. These items are not only valuable trophies but also essential tools for survival in dangerous environments. Studying these artifacts and their properties attracts the attention of both researchers and adventurers, highlighting their significance in the unique world of anomalies.

The Zone has become a new frontier, attracting both professional scientists and fortune seekers, including former military personnel and mercenaries. A unique culture and its own rules have developed here. Loners face risks not only from anomalies and mutants but also under the threat of fire from the military or their rivals. This dangerous and mysterious world beckons those willing to take risks for adventure and potential reward.

Emissions are intense eruptions of anomalous energy that can occur with a frequency of several days to several months. These phenomena are accompanied by lightning and light emissions in the sky, creating new anomalies and modifying existing ones. Defense in the release area is the only way to ensure survival.

In August 2011, a significant surge occurred, which became a key moment in the development of the plot of the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy. The main character, known as Strelok, personifies courage and a desire for adventure, which made him an iconic figure among stalkers. This surge not only changed the landscape of the Zone but also became a catalyst for many events that shape the unique atmosphere of the game. Strelok, overcoming difficulties and facing dangers, becomes a symbol of hope and survival in this endlessly dangerous world.

The Duty and Freedom factions were created to protect stalkers from threats emanating from the Zone, as well as from internal conflicts. Each of these groups has its own unique ideologies and goals, which makes their interactions complex and unpredictable. The Duty faction seeks to control the Zone and minimize risks, while Freedom advocates for stalkers' freedom of action and the openness of the Zone. These contradictions create tension and conflict, affecting the lives of stalkers and their survival in a dangerous environment.

Many stalkers dream of reaching the center of the Zone, where the Monolith is rumored to reside—a black crystal capable of granting any wish. However, the path to this place is blocked by powerful psionic radiation known as the Brain Scorcher, which destroys or zombifies those who dare approach. This makes exploring the Zone not only dangerous but also mysterious, as many continue to search for ways to overcome this field, hoping to encounter the enigmatic artifact.

Despite the risks, bold explorers like Strelok continue their adventures in the Zone, striving to unravel its mysteries and discover hidden treasures. These courageous seekers of knowledge are unafraid of the dangers that await them at every turn and are willing to face the unknown to achieve their goals. A Zone full of mystery and adventure beckons those willing to test their strength and skills in search of lost artifacts and knowledge.

Strelok's Story: Faction War

September 2011 marked a pivotal moment for the Zone. A powerful emission altered its landscape, cutting off access to some areas and opening up new ones. This event led to a struggle for control of important locations such as the city of Limansk and the Red Forest. These changes became the basis for conflicts between stalker factions, known as the Faction War. Conflicts escalated as different groups sought to assert their influence on the changed Zone map, leading to the formation of new alliances and hostilities. As a result, stalkers found themselves drawn into complex interactions where every mistake could cost them their lives.

• "Duty". A paramilitary group seeking to protect the outside world from the Zone and destroy it. The Duty members actively exterminate mutants and refuse to trade artifacts, handing them over to scientists.
• "Freedom". This faction sees the Zone as a place of freedom and fights against state control. Anarchists actively contain mutants and Monolith fighters, being the main opponents of the Duty.
• Bandits. There is no single criminal organization in the Zone, but there are small gangs that rob stalkers, killing them for profit.
• Military. They patrol the perimeter of the Zone, fighting both mutants and stalkers. They collaborate with scientists and the "Duty" faction.
• "Monolith." A religious sect that protects its cult and prevents stalkers from penetrating the center of the Zone.
• "Clear Sky." A group of scientists studying the Zone and seeking to put an end to the emissions.

Researchers from the Clear Sky project have determined that the cause of the super-emission was Strelok's visit to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. To avoid a repeat of this disaster, the group's leader, Lebedev, assigns a mercenary named Scar to track Strelok's path.

The events depicted in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky serve as a prequel to Shadows of Chernobyl. In this prequel, players are immersed in the world of the Zone, where key moments preceding the main events of the first part are revealed.

Scar soon discovers that Strelok, having tricked himself into obtaining a protective suit against psi-radiation, is heading again to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The mercenary decides to stop him in order to prevent a possible new super-emission. The situation escalates, and Scar realizes the consequences could be catastrophic for the entire Zone. Scar, having fought his way through Limansk with the Clear Sky fighters, finds Strelok at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Using a Gauss Cannon, he strikes the enemy's protective suit, hoping the psionic blast will finally destroy the stalker. This tense encounter at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant highlights not only the power of the weapon but also the dangers associated with the Zone's anomalies. The characters' interactions at this moment reveal the depth of their confrontation and the tension of the situation.

Situation takes an unexpected turn: a second Super-Emission occurs, destroying Clear Sky and claiming the lives of many people in the Zone. Scar is one of the few who survive and regains consciousness in a mysterious room filled with screens. Here, people are coded, turning them into agents of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. project. This new turn of events opens up an opportunity for Scar to uncover the secrets of the Zone and learn what really lies behind the project that changes people's destinies.

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. tattoo is prominently located on Strelok's forearm, symbolizing his deep connection with the game world. This image becomes an important part of the plot and serves as the starting point for the events of the game "Shadows of Chernobyl".

In May 2012, at night, a truck carrying programmed people departs from the center of the Zone. However, it does not reach its destination: at the Cordon, the truck is struck by lightning, causing it to overturn. In the morning, the stalker discovers a lone survivor with a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. tattoo. This story highlights the dangers of the Zone and the mysterious events occurring there. The plot draws attention to the mysteries surrounding the stalkers and their search in a dangerous environment.

A survivor nicknamed Marked One has no memory of his name or past. His PDA contains only the mission to eliminate Strelok, which becomes his primary objective. Marked One ventures into a dangerous world where he will face various enemies and overcome challenges to complete his mission and restore his lost memories.

The PDA is an indispensable tool for stalkers, providing access to quest logs, Zone maps, and records of interactions with other stalkers. This gadget helps navigate the dangerous environment, track completed tasks, and share experiences with comrades. The PDA not only simplifies the process of survival in the Zone, but also serves as a repository of valuable information, which makes it a key element of the stalker's life.

The Marked One ventures deep into the Zone to learn about Strelok. During his search, he discovers documents concerning underground laboratories created as part of Project X. These labs conceal many secrets that could shed light on the events that took place in the Zone. While exploring these materials, the Marked One encounters dangers and discoveries that could change his understanding of Strelok and the Zone itself.

Project X began after the creation of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, where scientists conducted research into the effects of psionic radiation on living organisms. The project also developed new weapons, leading to significant scientific discoveries and innovations in military technology. Research in this area continued to attract the attention of scientists and governments, highlighting the importance of studying unusual phenomena and their potential applications in various fields.

Visiting labs X-16 and X-18, Marked One discovers that the Brain Scorcher is an artificially created device that can be disabled. During his search, he also discovers information about the Doctor, who assisted Strelok. This key moment opens up new possibilities for research and understanding of what is happening in the Zone.

Doctor Marked One reveals that he is Strelok, and that the Monolith is a hologram concealing the true secret of the Zone, located beneath the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

After discovering his true identity, Marked One heads to the heart of the Zone to disable the Brain Scorcher. This decisive step leads to a new round of conflict between the factions, intensifying the struggle for influence and resources in this dangerous world.

Strelok heads back to the power plant and opens the door to an underground laboratory, where he discovers that the Zone is the result of the failure of the O-Consciousness project. Here he finds important evidence confirming that the experiment has gotten out of control, and the consequences of this failure affect the entire territory of the Zone.

Project participants researched the noosphere hypothesis and discovered that all living beings are connected to this psychic field. The experiments yielded unexpected results: noosphere energy penetrated the Chernobyl zone, causing anomalous activity. This discovery highlights the importance of studying the interactions between living organisms and the noosphere, as well as the potential consequences for ecosystems in areas exposed to anomalous energy fields.

After this, scientists took measures to prevent further disasters, closing access to the center of the Zone using the Brain Scorcher. People who tried to penetrate the Zone were either eliminated or recruited into the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. program, which created new opportunities and threats in this anomalous area. These actions became part of a strategy to control the Zone and minimize the risks associated with its anomalous phenomena.

Strelok discovers that the tasks to kill him were issued by the scientists themselves. When precautions fail, one of the scientists invites him to become part of the "O-Consciousness" project. However, Strelok refuses this offer and decides to destroy the capsules containing the experiment participants. This decision underscores his determination and unwillingness to submit to experiments that endanger human lives.

Despite Strelok's actions, the nature of the Zone has not changed, but the conflict between the factions has ended. The Freedom and Duty organizations reached a truce, dividing the territory around Yanov Station. This reconciliation has allowed for relative order to be established in the Zone, although tensions between the factions still persist. Players can now focus on exploring the Zone's mysteries and dangers without fear of clashes with other factions.

In this relative calm, stalkers actively explore the center of the Zone, discovering rare artifacts and encountering new dangers. Mercenaries, meanwhile, have focused their efforts on finding Project X laboratories, hoping to uncover secrets that could change their fate. This research attracts the attention not only of adventurers but also of those seeking profit in the Zone's dangerous environment. New discoveries and challenges make research more exciting, but also increase the risks for everyone involved.

Military forces launched Operation Fairway, but encountered a setback: not a single helicopter was able to reach its target.

Secret service agent Major Degtyarev is sent to the Zone to investigate the cause of the failure. During his mission, he finds downed helicopters and encounters surviving soldiers who can provide vital evidence of what happened.

Strelok discovers the true cause of the disaster: changes in anomalies occurring after the emissions. He offers his knowledge to the military in exchange for evacuation.

Degtyarev is appointed leader of Operation Fairway. Together with Strelok, his squad overcomes difficulties on the way to the evacuation point, from where the military leaves the Zone. Documents discovered at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant become the basis for the creation of a research institute dedicated to the study of anomalous phenomena in the Chernobyl zone. This institute will focus on research, data analysis, and the development of methods for safe interaction with anomalous objects.

Major Degtyarev is promoted to colonel, but decides to refuse it. He chooses to remain in the Zone as a permanent observer. This decision underscores his dedication to the cause and his desire to better understand the unique phenomena occurring in this dangerous and mysterious area. Observing the events in the Zone, Degtyarev strives to uncover its secrets and understand how they affect the world around him.

What to Expect from the Sequel: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

The sequel S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl raises many expectations and questions among fans of the series. What aspect of the original trilogy's events will be central to the new game? Players are eager to learn how the developers will integrate elements of the previous installments into the new story and what new mechanics will be introduced. It's important to understand how the familiar story and atmosphere will be intertwined with modern gaming technology. The sequel is expected not only to preserve the spirit of the original but also to offer new challenges and adventures in a dangerous zone filled with anomalies and mutants.

The sequel's plot unfolds several years after the events of Call of Pripyat. The protagonist is a stalker named Skif. The game begins with him installing artifact scanners among anomalies, but he soon becomes trapped and loses all his equipment. Despite the difficulties, Skif survives and begins searching for his attacker, plunging into the dangerous and mysterious world of the Zone, where every decision can be fatal. Players will explore new locations, encounter various opponents and uncover secrets that will help Scythian in his revenge.

A plot reminiscent of Fallout: New Vegas naturally leads Skif into a significant conflict that could change the fate of the Zone. The game's trailers highlight the multi-layered nature and complexity of this confrontation, promising players an engaging and tense gameplay experience.

One of the 2021 trailers features a mysterious character who claims that the Zone must be liberated. The reasons for his words remain unclear, piqueing viewers' interest. Another video introduces another new character, presumably from the government, who proposes an alternative approach: taking control of the Zone. These two different views on the fate of the Zone raise many questions about its meaning and future, as well as the internal conflicts that may arise along the way. An intriguing plot and unexpected twists make this story relevant and exciting to discuss.

The situation in the Zone is becoming increasingly tense. In a new video, Skif informs Scar, who survived the events of "Clear Sky," that he has discovered an anomaly outside the Zone. This important discovery could have serious consequences for everyone connected to the Zone and its mysteries. Observing an anomaly outside the Zone opens new horizons for exploration and could change perceptions of the region's safety and stability.

The game features familiar characters, including the former Monolithist Vagabond, who assisted Degtyarev on his journey to Pripyat. Expect numerous encounters with characters from previous installments, adding interest and depth to the story. These characters enrich the gameplay and create a nostalgic atmosphere for fans of the series.

Expect to return to familiar locations: trailers and the map included with the physical edition showcase locations such as the Dump, Yanov Station, and the starting village from "Shadow of Chernobyl," where Sidorovich is located. These iconic locations evoke nostalgia in players and promise new adventures in familiar settings. Explore a reimagined world full of mysteries and dangers, returning to favorite locations that have become an integral part of the series. Don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in the Zone and uncover its secrets.

In conclusion, we wish you a successful hunt, stalker.

Don't miss the opportunity to get acquainted With our new offers. We've prepared unique promotions and special offers for you to get the most out of your purchase. Stay tuned for important news and exclusive discounts. Your interest in our products will help you make the best choice. Stay with us and stay up-to-date with all the latest news!

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is one of the most anticipated games of 2024. This project from GSC Game World promises to immerse players in the atmosphere of the post-apocalyptic Chernobyl zone. The official GSC Game World website provides the latest news and details about the development, gameplay mechanics, and plot. Stay tuned for important announcements and release information.