What Happened To Strelok In Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl

In the game “Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl,” a character known as Strelok is once again present, having been previously mentioned by an amnesiac character we control. Strelok is closely associated with the Stalker series. This time, his role in the story within the zone is significantly expanded compared to earlier appearances.

Heart of Chornobyl.

Who Is Strelok?

Initially portrayed as both adversary and hero in Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl, Strelok is an individual deeply acquainted with The Zone. Often referred to among locals as ‘The Marked One’, he’s widely regarded by many as the most skilled Stalker who has ever existed.

Over time, he’s come across mutants, spirits, a brainwashed military force, strange occurrences that distort reality, a collective consciousness, and a stone capable of granting wishes known as the Monkey’s Paw. He’s also been involved in most significant changes within the region, battling for various causes, opposing, and eventually assisting in the downfall of the sinister Monolith Corporation, which wields the greatest power over the radiation-contaminated district.

However, his actions and intentions aren’t always the purest, especially in Heart Of Chornobyl.

What Happened To Strelok?

In the original Streloks’ journeys through The Zone were numerous and significant, and by the time Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl arrives, it appears as though the enigmatic region has left an indelible mark on him, perhaps even claiming him for eternity. Within the game, he is among the four key characters in the narrative who provide the player with crucial choices at the end, decisions that have the power to alter The Zone’s course forever.

Another crucial figure we’ll discuss is Kaymanov, often referred to as ‘The Doctor’. He’s an intellectual who yearns for a region that is self-governing and uncontrolled by mercenary groups. Meanwhile, Strelok aims to exert complete dominion over it, along with the military forces, manipulating them to prevent anyone from entering or exiting The Zone.

However, let’s not jump to conclusions. To clearly illustrate his deterioration, it might be helpful to break down the sequence of events a bit, filling in some missing details along the way.

Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl

As a gamer, when I first meet Strelok, he’s being saved from a roaring Death Truck. Known as the ‘Marked One’, he’s grappling with amnesia. In his pocket is a PDA, its screen flickering with just three words: “Eliminate Strelok”. With this cryptic mission in mind, I venture into The Zone, on a quest to uncover the enigmatic figure of Strelok.

From there, we embark on a quick visit to all the beautiful destinations in the vast, expansive world of The Zone, along with its inhabitants. As time passes, our protagonist forges friendships and rivalries, battles mutants and mind-controlled Monolith Soldiers. He eventually disables a Brain Scorching device that was causing harm to The Zone, and with the assistance of some members from opposing factions, he navigates his way to the Wish Granter.

Which is a huge rock that lies at the heart of the Nuclear Power Plant.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase that as: “The Zone I’m referring to is a made-up sector nestled within the actual Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, known for its extreme danger and high levels of radiation even amidst an area that’s already irradiated.

Furthermore, during his travels, the ‘Marked One’ recovers his lost memories, eventually realizing that he is indeed Strelok. Previously, his brain had been damaged by the Scorcher and he was en route to becoming a mind-controlled soldier under the control of Monolith.

Speaking of, it turns out the Wishing Stone is just another Monolith weapon.

This device is designed to ensnare and either kill or manipulate mentally those who encounter it. Granted wishes are merely deceitful strategies for eliminating those who employ them. Moreover, when a wish is fulfilled, the range of this zone increases by five kilometers in all directions. However, what you’re dealing with here is actually a trap and the final safeguard of the C-Consciousness, a group that Strelok has unfinished business with.

The C-Consciousness was essentially a collective intelligence developed by Soviet researchers as a means to influence the biosphere, often referred to as a tangible, yet intangible entity that encompasses our entire planet. This force has the power to be impacted by, and in turn, affects human thoughts and emotions.

In simpler terms, they believed that by connecting into a powerful collective consciousness, they could eliminate negative emotions like greed, hate, anger, and cruelty from humanity as a whole. But instead, their attempt resulted in what is now known as ‘The Exclusion Zone’, which has since been growing uncontrollably and causing widespread damage. They’ve been struggling to contain the spread of this area ever since.

Upon arriving, Strelok is presented with two choices: either align himself with them and maintain the current situation, or eliminate them altogether.

Although one outcome in Shadow of Chernobyl featured the eradication of C-Consciousness and the complete undoing of all the harm, as demonstrated by Call of Pripyat and subsequent events, it’s evident that the damage inflicted on the Noosphere is irreversible. The Zone remains a persistent entity.

Stalker: Call of Pripyat

In contrast to our third encounter with Strelok, Call of Pripyat advances his narrative further, while Clear Sky serves as a prelude. Even though it delves into the ways Strelok functioned within The Zone prior to the incidents in Shadow of Chernobyl.

Back then, I was already under the sway of some mysterious force – the C-Consciousness. Later on, they managed to scramble my mind and attempted to seize command over me.

The game, Call of Pripyat, continues the narrative after the occurrences in Shadow of Chernobyl. Although Strelok is mostly working behind the scenes initially, he eventually becomes a part of the storyline as the plot progresses significantly with the onset of the Fifth Emission event.

Here, he suddenly appears with the intention of supplying the local military force with data and assistance, followed by a later participation in a massive gunfight against remaining Monolith forces, attempting to evacuate people and flee from Pripyat. Subsequently, Strelok assumes the role of an advisor within The Zone, joining a group focused on unraveling the mysteries concealed within the exclusion area.

Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl

Move forward in time to where the grand follow-up unfolds, and there’s Strelok making another appearance on the scene. However, this time around, he has secretive intentions of his own. In Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Strelok takes on a pivotal role as a helper and guide to the new main character, with Kaymanov, now known as The Doctor, also playing a significant part in the narrative.

At this stage in the series’ chronology, Strelok expresses a profound sense of attachment towards The Zone. He asserts that he must shield it from those who wish to exploit or ruin it, which is a troubling and complex evolution from his character in the initial game.

Initially, he appears following an unexpected attack on Skif and Dark. He queries Skif about who else is in The Zone, carrying a PDA that bears the message “Eliminate The Strelok” for the second time. It transpires that Dark was secretly working for the C-Consciousness all along. Throughout their conversation, Strelok seems somewhat distant and detached, possibly due to extended solitude within The Zone.

He consents to aid Skif, yet with a touch of sarcasm, he remarks that everyone desires to manage the zone except for him, but he merely wishes it to remain undisturbed. However, there’s no hostility evident towards The Doctor.

In this conversation, Strelok admits to destroying the C-Consciousness pods, thus validating that particular ending from the original game as accurate. However, it’s important to note that the open fields at the end, as depicted in Stalker 2, are shown to be a mere illusion.

From there, Strelok’s interactions appear peculiar. He seems to have a profound attachment towards The Zone, referring to it as “her.” His language suggests that The Zone may be exercising some sort of dominion over him, speaking as if The Zone itself is influencing or controlling him. He speaks of her power as alluring and expresses concern about others trying to exploit and manipulate her, further indicating a growing impact she has on him.

His ultimate goal is to dismantle the Stalker program that attracts others for C-Consciousness dominance and then return to the original location of The Zone to liberate it. At this stage, his attitude towards others can be encapsulated as: If you’re not opposing everyone else at present, I oppose you.

As Strelok grows more and more suspicious of The Doctor, every encounter with Skif seems to be an opportunity for him to sway Skif to his side. He even goes as far as to request Skif to eliminate Kaymanov (The Doctor) before their climactic confrontation.

Strelok’s Ending

At this juncture, the narrative forks, providing Skif (the character) with the choice between eliminating Kaymanov and aligning with Strelok, or allying with Kaymanov to counteract Strelok. As you progress deeper into the game, you’ll encounter a moment when you’ll have to make a decision about which faction you’re supporting, and ultimately determine who gains access to the powerful device at the climax.

Here’s what happens in the finale with old Strelok.

Joining Strelok

By teaming up with Strelok, Skif shoots Kaymanov. Later, Strelok and Skif are transported as a duo to the location where X7 and the remaining C-Consciousness Pods are kept. Although Strelok sustains injuries during transportation, they aren’t life-threatening. Eventually, Strelok unites with Skif in a chamber filled with stasis pods – similar to those seen at the conclusion of the initial game.

In the other pods, there are only skeletons left behind. Once one of them was repaired and activated, Strelok stepped in, and Skif sealed him inside. At this moment, Strelok began displaying a hint of villain-like behavior. The device he connected to became active, giving Strelok complete control over everything.

Soldiers under mine control follow his orders, while his voice resonates over radios across The Zone. Access to and from The Zone is strictly forbidden, a rule even Skif must abide by. Attempts to cross are met with lethal force. As time passes, the once manageable exits transform into unpassable anomalies due to worsening weather conditions, making The Zone increasingly treacherous for all inhabitants.

Killing Strelok

opting for Strelok’s opposition leads to a heated argument on a rooftop rather than a peaceful talk. Strelok maintains that Kaymanov has betrayed him, disregarding The Doctor’s numerous efforts to save Strelok’s life, and Skif accuses him of being selfish. Eventually, the fight starts.

In a swift escape, Strelok dashes through a portal to X7, closely pursued by Skif. A high-stakes chase ensues, culminating in a fierce gun battle within a storage room. Unfortunately for Strelok, he’s defeated in the skirmish and succumbs to his injuries on the floor. Skif then retrieves the PDA that once belonged to Dark, which bears the chilling instruction “Eliminate The Strelok“. With this task accomplished, Skif marks the mission as complete. Subsequently, he enters the last C-Consciousness Pod and liberates The Zone.

Though this just results in new zones forming all around the globe.

Two more outcomes are possible, depending on who gains access to the Pod. It could be either Colonel Korshunov or Scar.

2025-04-14 07:08