This guide details the four possible endings in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and the crucial choices leading to each. The game's narrative branches significantly based on player decisions during three key missions: Subtle Matter, Dangerous Liaisons, and The Last Wish. Conveniently, these missions occur late in the game, allowing players to save before them and easily explore all endings without a full replay.

Key Missions and Choice Impact:

Three missions determine the game's ending. A manual save before these missions is recommended to experience all four endings efficiently.

1. She Will Never Be Free:

• Subtle Matter: Choose "Life is for the living."
• Dangerous Liaisons: Choose "[Escape]."
• The Last Wish: Choose "[Fire]."

This ending results from siding with Strelok, aiming to protect the Zone and opposing all other factions. This path involves antagonizing Scar, fleeing Korshunov, and eliminating Kaymanov.

2. Project Y:

• Subtle Matter: Choose "Life is for the living."
• Dangerous Liaisons: Choose "[Escape]."
• The Last Wish: Choose "[Lower the Gun]."

Similar to the previous ending, but instead of killing Kaymanov, you spare him. This reflects a belief in letting the Zone evolve naturally without external control.

3. Today Never Ends:

• Subtle Matter: Choose "Eternal spring."
• Dangerous Liaisons: Choose "[Escape]."
• The Last Wish: This mission's choice is irrelevant for this ending.

This ending involves aligning with Scar and the Spark faction. Helping Scar leads him to a pod believed to transport him to the Shining Zone. Only two mission choices are crucial here.

4. Brave New World:

• Subtle Matter: Choose "Life is for the living."
• Dangerous Liaisons: Choose "I'm not your enemy."
• The Last Wish: This mission's choice is irrelevant for this ending.

This ending involves siding with Colonel Krushunov and the Ward faction, aiming to completely destroy the Zone. Like the Spark ending, only two mission choices determine this outcome.

By carefully selecting dialogue options during these key missions, players can shape the narrative and experience all four distinct conclusions in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.