One of the best open world games of 2024, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl features a ton of NPCs. With unique names and well-defined personalities, these stalkers all entered the realm for one of three reasons. Either because the place attracted them, or because they wanted to destroy it, or simply because of the money. Most NPCs you meet are trying to make a dishonest living.

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You can go to NPCs and get up to 12 unique voice lines. That's how detailed the game is. Stalkers also talk to each other, encourage each other, or simply share news. Here are some of the most memorable conversations:
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“I wondered why the mutation kept growing, and then it hit me.”
Dad tells jokes in the district
I wondered why the mutant was getting bigger and bigger, and then it hit me.
One of the most common ways stalkers cheer each other up is by telling dad jokes. Most are stalkerized to better suit the setting. This is a classic that NPCs love to talk about around the campfire.

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Don't believe what you see in this wasteland.
Mutants will be a huge problem when traversing the kilometers of open fields in Stalker 2, and they have a habit of chasing you for very long distances. If you're carrying too much loot, you won't be able to run fast enough to avoid damage. This joke will be very relatable by the time you hear it.
7
“If I kick the bucket…”
deathbed insult
“If I kick the bucket, there will be one less medic in the district!” he explains.
Here's a joke that shows the resentment that remains between the various factions in Stalker 2: Freedom forces believe in regional independence and autonomy. The Forces of Duty believe that the area must be destroyed. Considering their moral compasses are diametrically opposed, it makes sense for them to take shots at each other.
In Zalissya, a village ruled by Freedom, Stalker jokes that an old Freedom warrior is about to die and tells his young friends to hurry and join him in the Duty faction. When asked why, he says that if he dies, the Zone will have one less mission member.
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“You have attained enlightenment.”
Destroy the Wardens
So the director goes to a psychiatrist and says: “Doctor, I feel like I’m stupid, cheap, and a jerk. Maybe I have a split personality?” “No, young man. You have attained enlightenment.”
Cheap shots at Ward come from NPCs at the village entrance, within hearing range of the Warden stationed there. There's a joke about a warden visiting a psychiatrist and complaining about imposter syndrome. Recently he has started to feel like he is stupid, cheap and stupid.
The warden believes it may be due to a split personality. Psychologists have a much simpler explanation: it is enlightenment. Freedom Stalker likes to make jokes at the warden's expense. The guards maintain their composure.
5
“I’m a controller, not a fucking genie.”
corruption in the region
The stalker pauses for a moment and then says, “Okay, I hope the IPSF will stop demanding bribes from stalkers who come into their territory.” The Controller says “Are you crazy? I said Controller, not a damn Genie!”
The IPSF collaborates with Ward in that it is a repressive military force. IPSF is working with the Ukrainian government to explore the area and prevent stalkers from entering. Unfortunately, corruption is rampant in IPSF and they easily let stalkers in in exchange for cold hard cash.

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One of the stalkers makes fun of this situation, alluding to being a wish-granter or controller of the original stalker, which came to a shocking ending. The auditor has been asked to prevent IPSF from bringing in stalkers for bribes, but this is too difficult even for the auditor.
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“If the counter creaks…”
Gameplay Advice
If your counter starts squeaking like a rat, drink some vodka. If you rattle like a snake, go see Schultz. If you meow like a cat in the heat, drink some vodka so your friends will remember.
Radiation is one of Stalker 2's most delicate mechanics. As you absorb more radiation, you slowly lose health. If you absorb it too quickly, you'll die even before the meter fills. Fortunately, carrying a Geiger counter with you can help you maintain a safe distance from irradiated areas.
But sometimes you might accidentally wander into the wrong investigation area (the slag pile will kill you instantly). Stoker's advice tells you this. No anti-radiation drugs or medical staff can save you at that point, so get some vodka for your friends to help send you to the next world.
3
“Who are you so afraid of?” “Almost no one.”
good stalker is tied up
“[I have] There's a Colt 45 in the glove box, a sniper rifle and an RPG in the trunk.” “Who's so scared?” the Warden asks in surprise. And Stalker says, “Almost no one.”
Garbage is one of the most desolate areas in the district, filled with bandits, thieves, and piles of radioactive scrap metal. If the game's weight limit mechanism doesn't get in your way, it's best to wear a leash when you get in.
Here's the joke the NPCs tell each other about this exact scenario: A stalker drives into town carrying a sniper rifle, a magnum revolver, and an RPG. The shocked warden asks him who made him so afraid. With that inventory in hand, the stalker's answer is: There is no one.
2
“He wandered all over the place.”
gallows humor
One stalker asks another, “How's Alex doing? I haven't seen him in a while.” “Oh, you know, he was all over the place… I mean, he was into slinging.”
Take this gossip for example: Dark humor is quite prevalent in this area. A stalker asks another person where his friend Alex has been. The answer is: He entered Whirligig from all over the place.
Stalker 2 is full of dangerous anomalies that can drain you of all your health before you can even register their presence. Whirligig is an anomaly that grabs you and spins you around at incredible speeds. With that knowledge, you can imagine what ‘everywhere’ means. Poor Alex.
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etc
tool of choice
In addition to chatting, you'll often come across NPCs playing acoustic guitars. Listening to them play always puts my mind at ease, and they know some very good folk songs. The acoustic guitar is a beautiful instrument both in Stalker 2 and in real life. It's easy to learn, portable (compared to the violin anyway), and sounds great even without accompaniment. Not surprisingly, it is the tool of choice for many stalkers.
You can play the guitar directly in the game. After finding the merchant in Zalissya, go to the bedroom next to his shop. You'll wake up there and someone will have left a guitar next to your bed. Pick it up and you can sit around the campfire and go out with a whimper. The game is so detailed that every chord you make looks accurate and lifelike.