The Coolest References And Easter Eggs In Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the haunting landscapes and gripping narratives of the Stalker series, I must say that the Easter eggs scattered throughout Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl are truly a delight for longtime fans like myself. Each one is a testament to the rich history and attention to detail that makes this franchise so special.

Following a 15-year delay, GSC has unveiled Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, the fourth installment in the series which serves as a sequel to the original trilogy. It’s clear that the building excitement for this first-person shooter video game was justified, with the captivating main storyline complemented by numerous Easter eggs and hidden mysteries discovered while traversing the Zone.

In Heart of Chornobyl, there are subtle nods and references to well-known franchises, as well as callbacks that longtime Stalker series fans will recognize and enjoy. The world is rich with intricate details that might be easy to overlook unless you’re actively searching for them.

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Alien

Chestburster

In the southwest area of Zaton, there’s a shipwreck where two vessels and several deceased individuals, both humans and mutants, are scattered. Near one of these boats, you’ll spot a corpse exhibiting a mutation protruding from its chest.

The scene you’re referring to is strikingly reminiscent of the shocking chestburster event from Ridley Scott’s 1979 Alien movie, where a startling creature suddenly emerged from Kane’s chest, leaving the crew stunned and the alien further infiltrating the spaceship.

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Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

One Shot, One Kill

In the reimagined cityscape of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (specifically Hotel Polissya), you’ll find a strategic vantage point on the top floor. There, on a table, lies an M701 Super Sniper rifle – a nostalgic nod to one of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare’s iconic missions, “One Shot, One Kill,” originally featured as the fourteenth mission in the 2007 game.

Initially in the mission, Lieutenant Price and Captain MacMillan are tasked with silently eliminating their target, Imran Zakhaev, from the identical hidden position in the game version of Hotel Polissya. This subtle nod is delightful for longtime first-person shooter enthusiasts.

8.

The Bridge Of Death

A Real-Life Tragic Location

If you recall the HBO miniseries about the Chornobyl nuclear accident, you might remember the local residents gathering on a bridge to collectively witness the unfolding catastrophe. This particular bridge gained notoriety as the Bridge of Tragedy, because people standing there watching the nuclear disaster were likely overexposed to radiation, which may have led to their subsequent deaths.

In Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, there’s a replica of the bridge in Yaniv, yet be cautious as the radiation levels there are incredibly intense. Entering it could lead to an instant fatal exposure.

7.

DayZ

The Map Of Chernarus

If you’ve dabbled in Bohemia Interactive’s 2018 survival game DayZ, get ready for some delightful surprises! Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl boasts several Easter eggs that nod to it. The most intriguing one is hidden at the STC Malachite base. Here, if you ascend the stairs beside the bar, you’ll discover a map that bears an uncanny resemblance to something familiar.

Near the computer-equipped tables, you’ll find a replica of the map of Chernarus, the primary setting for multiplayer battles in DayZ, similar to its appearance in the 2018 game version.

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Distant Drums

Wilhelm Scream

Without knowing about the 1951 film titled “Distant Drums,” it’s likely that you’ve still encountered the timeless Wilhelm scream at some point if you’re familiar with popular culture in any capacity. This distinctive sound effect has been widely used across various iconic productions such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and many more over the years. Interestingly enough, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl also incorporates this stock sound effect into its design.

Go to the northern area of Yaniv known as the Tornado Anomalous zone. There, you might witness NPC Wilhelm being sucked into a tornado, followed by his lifeless body being tossed at your location, allowing you to search and gather items from him.

5.

Non Stop Limited Edition Energy Drink

A Series Staple

Energy drinks have been a long-standing feature since the initial game release in 2007, but the Non-Stop variant was first introduced in the Lost Alpha mod for Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl. In keeping with this tradition, Stalker 2 presents the Non Stop Limited Edition Energy Drink, which can be found atop a metal structure in the Quarry located in the northwestern area of the Red Forest.

The can showcases the Stalker 2 logo and artwork, and to make things even more intriguing, GSC Game World marketed these beverages as a part of their promotional strategy for the eagerly awaited game title.

4.

Back To The Future

A Flaming DeLorean Special

Among the numerous factors that make Back to the Future timeless, one particularly striking image is when the DeLorean car produces a trail of fire as it jumps between different time periods. This effect can be seen echoed in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl too; you’ll encounter train tracks with flames blazing above them in a similar fashion.

To find the SKD Assembly Unit, make your way to the Cooling Towers district, then proceed northeast. You’ll come across a train track that appears to be on fire – like it was set ablaze by Marty McFly’s time-traveling exploits.

3.

Stalker: Shadow Of Chernobyl

A Callback To What Started It All

In the game Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, there are numerous tributes to its origins and the original trilogy. One striking example can be found in the Lesser Zone, specifically southwest of Zalissya town. If you’ve been a fan since the beginning of the Stalker series, you might recognize a traditional wooden structure that’s reminiscent of the past.

In the concept art for Shadow of Chernobyl, you’ll find a structure adorned with a picture frame and a bird’s nest at its peak. However, upon exploration, you may discover a real bird occupying that very nest.

2.

Firefighter Clothes

Paying Respect To The First Responders

A key aspect highlighted in the Chernobyl miniseries was the significant role played by firefighters as they served as the first responders at the onset of the nuclear disaster. Initially, the full gravity of the situation was not grasped until it was already too late. Unfortunately, these firefighters were often only equipped with standard firefighting gear, which proved inadequate for shielding them from the harmful radiation, leading to their tragic fate.

In the game Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl, you might come across some firefighting gear in the basement of Industrial Hospital No. 126 in Pripyat. This equipment will appear in a state of disrepair, reflecting its condition following the nuclear catastrophe.

1.

GeForce RTX Graphics Card

A Collaboration Between MSI And Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl

To mark the release of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, GSC Game World teamed up with MSI to design a themed Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super 16G Gaming Slim graphics card. Similar to the in-game inclusion of the Limited Edition drink, the developer also hidden the GPU as an Easter egg within their game itself. Visit the computer room in the SIRCAA building, and you’ll find its in-game counterpart on a desk.

The graphics card sports the distinctive hues of the Stalker series, featuring a central radioactive emblem and the game’s insignia on its side, thus serving as an ideal Easter egg for fans immersed in Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl on their personal computers.

2024-12-08 17:34

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