The STALKER 2's initial mission and tutorial, titled "There and Back Again", serve as a crucial gateway into the heart of the game. It presents players with a challenging start that demands careful navigation and strategic thinking. This walkthrough aims to guide players through each step, ensuring a smooth transition from the tutorial to the main game.

Unlock the Secrets of STALKER 2's First Steps

Crossing the Perimeter

After STALKER 2 finishes compiling shaders and you engage in conversation with Hermann outside the wall, the adventure truly begins. Climbing over the top and moving forward, you enter the zone. Here are the initial steps: 1: Straight ahead lies a crack in the high perimeter wall, located to the left of the glowing anomaly. By climbing through this gap, you find yourself inside the wall. Following the path to the right leads to some optional supplies at the end, which require a knife to break open. Then, turning back left and taking the other path that slopes down into the sewers is the next move. Before proceeding, don't forget to loot the wall cabinet next to the boarded-up door for essential medical items. 2: This initial section is where the first hints of danger start to emerge, making those medkits you found earlier all the more valuable. It sets the tone for the challenges that lie ahead.

Navigating the Sewer Tunnel

This is where the real test begins as you start encountering various dangers. 1: Use your knife to break down the wooden boards blocking the door. Proceed down the corridor until you reach a door with a yellow padlock. A swift strike with your knife opens it, allowing you to enter the sewer pipe. Climb over the obstacles ahead and follow the path around. You'll hear chatter from the South Checkpoint, adding to the immersive experience. On the right, you'll find a soldier's body with an SMG and PDA. Although you can't keep the STALKER 2 guns at this point, they are still useful for now. 2: A ball of electricity moves around the sewer in a loop. Follow it closely down the pipe, being careful not to get too close. Pass another lootable body until the electricity ball raises up. At the end of the pipe, turn left and continue following each turn that leads you in the direction of the main objective marked on your compass until you reach the opening and emerge back into the open world.

Reaching the Mobile Lab

Now out in the wild, it's time to find the mobile lab structure. 1: Follow the objective marker, carefully circling around radioactive spots marked by radiation signs. Along the way, you may encounter enemies. It's best to back up and fire in controlled bursts for the best chance of survival. There are also ruined houses where you can loot for more items. The mobile lab is a large, stone bunker. Use the yellow ladders on its side to climb to the top. 2: On top of the mobile lab, look for the red light. Beneath you, there is a hatch that you can use to climb down into the lab itself. Remember to interact with the ladder! Fall damage in STALKER 2 is significant, and a fall could lead to death.

Finding Nehoda and Scanning Points Data

The lab is relatively safe, so feel free to explore and loot. 1: Follow the path around to the West side of the lab to find Nehoda's body. Loot the PDA from it and turn on the fuse box right next to the body. Then, head back around to the ladder you came in through. Next to it is a room with a body and a laptop. Interact with the laptop to trigger a radio message. 2: After that, you can leave the lab through the North East door next to the body in the orange hazmat suit. This part of the mission allows you to immerse yourself in the game world and discover important elements.

Locating the Artifact in the Anomalous Field

To find the artifact, hold the detector and walk into the green acid swamp. 1: The artifact itself is invisible until you get close enough. Specifically, head to the fallen barrel in the middle. Once the blue light on the detector goes solid, the artifact will appear near your feet in a flash of light. We have provided a picture above to help you identify it. It's called "The Slug", so make sure to grab it and equip it in your inventory. 2: This part of the mission adds an element of mystery and exploration as you search for the hidden artifact.

Scanning the Different Points

The next step involves scanning several different points. 1: Follow the objective markers, but be on the lookout for enemies. Both bandits and mutants will appear randomly. For now, it's better to stealth around the mutants and animals while shooting at the bandits from cover. When you reach the first objective marker, there will be a swirl of blue energy with the option to "set scanner" in the middle. Immediately back away as there will be a circle of blue energy around the scanner. Stay out of it until it finishes making glowing lights before approaching again to avoid taking damage. 2: The second scanner is inside a cave, so make sure to head down one of the attached tunnels to get to a safe distance. This time, there will also be jets of fire from the ground that you need to avoid. The third point triggers a cutscene where Skif hides inside a house. We won't spoil what happens, but it leads to a different location.

Escaping the Anomalous Field

Once in the new location and meeting a friendly dog, you'll be surrounded by anomalies and given some bolts. 1: We have a full guide on how to get out of the anomaly field in STALKER 2. Briefly, you're surrounded by lethal singularities. Throwing a bolt at one shuts it down for about two seconds before it becomes lethal again. This brief gap is your chance to sprint through the area you triggered with the bolt. 2: After escaping the area, speak with Richter, the man who threw you the bolts. At this point, you're basically out of the tutorial and into the main game. There are still many gameplay features to explore, and following Richter's advice to go to the town of Zalissya is a great start. Good luck on your journey in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl!