The Beastmaster of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, part one: How to make friends and eviscerate peopleNo guns, no knives, only beasts
No guns, no knives, only beasts
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
At last, I’ve engineered my first monster vs. man battle, but my lack of healing items means I can’t risk hanging around to watch. I instead hoof it to the top deck and listen out for the sounds of clattering oil drums and perishing highwaymen. Seconds later:
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Yes, Eric.
I awake to the hum of gravitational anomalies and the growl of a stray dog gnawing on my trousers. Maybe he wants to be friends?
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Foolishly, however, I fail to consider the patrolling soldiers that sweep the settlement’s outskirts. They’re not hostile to me personally, but in their eyes, four bloodthirsty mutants look an awful lot like four bloodthirsty mutants, and a roaming duo of grunts eventually arrive to start pumping rounds into my crew. There are encouraging signs that my wider mission isn’t doomed: despite the range disadvantage of pig hands against two assault rifles, they do manage to tear down one of the soldiers before squealing their last. Still, it’s not the end I wanted for these guys, any more so than the man I couldn’t save earlier.
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
The immediate surroundings aren’t very forthcoming with helpers. A pack of dogs attack when I investigate the local factory, but being territorial creatures, they don’t chase me beyond its outer walls. A bombed-out house looks promising, and contains some valuable medkits, but is still devoid of recruitable horrors.
Short on options, I retreat to what I know, and schlep all the way back to the cowshed in the hopes that some other mutants have moved in. Instead, I find one last, lone Flesh, snuffling around in the darkness. Perhaps the offspring of my previous cohorts? My hopes fade when I realise he’s alone, and likely not a match for multiple Uzi wielders, but then they all come rushing back when I realise he’s not attacking me.He’s not attacking me. He’ll follow me around the shed, and jump up if I move suddenly, but he is not. Attacking me.
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Clearly, Bohdan Beastmaster’s taming skills are beyond even the comprehension of myself, and/orGSC Game World’s QA department. Somehow, I’ve brought this little fella – who I’ll name Ham II – to heel, and there’s no way that I’m going to botch another rescue with such a loyal companion. He even does a sploot when I stop for him, like a vast tumorous corgi.
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
Together, we’d march up the hill and vanquish the tracksuited scum. Together, we’d free the debtor and claim our prize. Together, we’d… ah, alright lads. Nah, he’s with me. Nah we’re just going to no stop wait-
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
No Ham II, don’t-
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/GSC Game World
…I’m going to need more pigs.
