An unmarked, unassuming location STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl is actually an in-game recreation of it a popular piece of concept art produced for the series’ 2007 debut, eagle-eyed fans recently discovered.
After a short prologue, STALKER 2 tasks the player to travel to a small settlement known as Zalissya. It’s a relatively short journey, but mutant ambushes, paramilitary interrogations, and outbreaks of electrical storms do their best to discourage thorough exploration of the weathered countryside. That’s a shame, because just a few meters off the beaten path lies a scene with a lot of meaning for STALKER diehards.
The tableau is simple: a wooden gate overlooking Zalissya, decorated with a large bird’s nest, wind chimes, signs warning of radiation, a religious painting and a gas mask. But while some might see a neat environmental story and move on with their adventure, those with a long-term investment in the franchise were hit with a twinge of nostalgia when they realized the site was a near-perfect recreation of an iconic image that was used to promote the first game. .
Since the sequel launched on November 20, several Reddit users have pointed out the similarities between the classical work of art and the STALKER 2 location, with emotions ranging from amused to emotional. There was even one comment mentioned recognizing the location without any prior STALKER experience due to how thoroughly the community has spread the beloved image online, to which another user replied, “It’s been my Steam profile picture since 2007.”
If you want to see the arch yourself, head to the location marked by the teal waypoint on the map above. Just don’t try to walk through it: all that waits on the other side is a steep cliff, and the fall will almost certainly kill you.