Alright folks, let’s talk Stalker 2 factions. Woke up thinking about my next Zone playthrough, coffee in hand, staring at faction choices like breakfast options. First I booted up my crappy old laptop – takes ages but gets the job done.
Where The Research Started
Hopped onto community forums first thing. Found three main groups popping up everywhere:
- Duty squad: Those “save humanity from mutants” types
- Freedom gang: Anarchists who wanna study the Zone
- Loners: My kinda people – independent survivors
Started digging deeper around lunchtime. Duty’s whole vibe felt too military for my taste – all rules and marching orders. Then Freedom kept screaming about Zone research, but their bases look like college dorms after finals week. Total chaos.
My Personal Testing
Jumped into solo play as Loner just to test waters. Got immediately jumped by bandits near the garbage dump – classic Stalker moment. But that freedom? Choosing who to help, where to scavenge? Felt natural.
Next evening tried Duty playthrough. Did five fetch quests before they’d even talk proper to me. Got sent on patrol duty like some private – nope, hard pass. Freedom at least gave gear quick, but their missions made zero sense. One guy wanted mutant samples, next wanted vodka delivery. Prioritize much?
The Final Verdict
After three days flipping between factions, I grabbed my trusty AK and headed back to Sidorovich as a Loner. No bosses yelling orders, no weird ideology tests. Just me, anomalies, and whatever artifacts I can stuff in my backpack. Might die alone in some radioactive ditch, but hey – that’s the Zone baby.
So what’ll it be for you? Soldiers? Scientists? Or just another poor bastard trying to survive? Let me know in comments – curious where y’all land. Just don’t expect me to join your crusade.
