The thrilling journey of the “Forge of Progress”story quest in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl kicks off immediately following the completion of the “A Long Overdue Visit”quest. In this preceding task, players spring into action to assist during a crisis at the Cryptobiology Laboratory.
Initial Meeting with Dr. Kryvenko
Your mission begins when you arrive at the SIRCAA region and meet with Dr. Kryvenko. He briefs you on a mysterious spatial anomaly that has unexpectedly manifested within the laboratory premises, urging you to investigate further.
Accessing the Ventilation Shafts
Due to ongoing emergencies, the main entrances to the lab are secured, compelling you to navigate through the ventilation shafts. Retracing your steps, turn left at the junction to locate the stairs leading to the roof, where you’ll make your exit from the building.
Follow the marker to find the entrance to the ventilation shaft across the courtyard. Use your knife to clear away the wooden planks obscuring it, then descend into the darkness.
Navigating Through the Ventilation System
Upon climbing down the ladder, proceed through the door and descend further down the stairs until you reach a room with a significant fan. Look for a hole in the wall nearby, pass through it, and drop down to the lower level.
In this area, you’ll encounter hostile rodents. Dispatch them swiftly, then navigate to the other side where you will discover a locked ladder. Utilize your pistol to shoot off the lock, allowing you to climb up.
Confronting the Burer
As you advance, you will enter a garage and face a formidable foe—the Burer. This creature is known for its psychic abilities, which enable it to manipulate firearms in the vicinity. Watch for the blue aura surrounding it, which renders it impervious to your attacks. Aim to strike only when the aura dissipates. It’s possible to bypass the confrontation and head directly to the room marked with red lighting.
Optional: Rescue the Scientist
Proceed down the hallway until you hear cries for help from a scientist to your right. Although you can ignore this, assisting him can prove advantageous as he provides keys to a storeroom filled with valuable loot. Remain cautious of the surrounding mutants and eliminate them before engaging with the scientist.
Head to the upper level to battle more armed adversaries. Continue forward until you reach a locked door to your right, which you can unlock using the keycard acquired from the scientist. Inside, you’ll discover a stash packed with ammunition and essential items.
Tackling the Obstacle Course
Your journey continues into a warehouse featuring an intricate obstacle course crafted from storage boxes. Skillfully jump from box to box, avoiding any gaps, until you reach the exit door on your right, leading into a room containing a puzzle.
Solving the Control Panel Puzzle
At the room’s center is a control panel adorned with red buttons. In order to proceed, you must activate these buttons in the correct sequence: 1, 3, 4, 2. Once this task is completed, exit through the door positioned behind the control panel and advance into the subsequent room, where you will encounter an invisible enemy, a Bloodsucker.
This foe will intermittently vanish following attacks. While it may be hard to spot, keep an eye out for its distorted silhouette. Time your movements wisely and evade its charges, unleashing your firepower when it becomes visible to defeat it.
Shutting Down the Three Valves
In the next room afflicted by toxic gas leaks, your goal is to deactivate three valves to restore safety. Immediately turn right once you enter, where you’ll find the first valve; deactivate it and continue straight to the second. For the final valve, navigate back to the opposite side of the room and ascend the ladder to reach it.
After successfully shutting off the gas, wait for the door to unlock, then go out into the next area. On your right in the lockers, you’ll discover an M860 Cracker shotgun, a Fora-221 assault rifle, and the SSP-99 Ecologist armor.
Entering the Abandoned Facility
Your adventure leads you further until you finally reach the anomaly-laden room. Leap into the spatial anomaly to be transported to the Abandoned Facility.
Final Encounter with Professor Hermann
Once inside the facility, be prepared to face off against Zombie Soldiers. Press onward until you reach Professor Hermann. A cutscene will unfold as he unlocks the door for your escape. Continue through the now-unbarred door and follow the subterranean path.
At the hallway’s end, use your knife to break through a lock and access the next room, which contains several anomalies. Navigate past these hazards to reach Dr. Hermann, then leap into the spatial anomaly behind him.
Your journey through various mutant-infested realms will unfold, with each area presenting challenges that last a couple of minutes. Survive these encounters until you finally arrive at the base, concluding the intricate “Forge of Progress”quest in Stalker 2.
For additional insights and strategies on enhancing your gameplay, explore our guides on expanding inventory space or discovering artifacts within Stalker 2.
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