Stalker 2 walkthrough: How to complete There and Back Again mission

There and Back Again is the first mission in Stalker 2, serving as a tutorial to familiarize you with the game’s mechanics and the post-apocalyptic environment. You play as Skif, the protagonist, navigating a dark and eerie setting. The mission introduces basic objectives to help you grasp the essentials.

This guide streamlines the There and Back Again mission, providing detailed instructions to save you time and effort.

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Stalker 2 "There and Back Again" mission walkthrough

In Stalker 2, the mission There and Back Again begins with a conversation between you and Hermann, where you hand him your special artifact. However, you need to head into the Exclusion Zone to restore the anomalous properties of the faded artifact.

Enter the sewer tunnel

This is your first objective and the mission is straightforward — follow the yellow exclamation mark on your compass at the top of the screen. Along the way, you’ll encounter obstacles like barricades and locked doors. Equip your knife to destroy them and proceed.

As you continue, you'll find dead soldiers. Search their bodies for supplies, and keep an eye on your surroundings for additional items like food, ammunition, and medicine.

Going through the sewer tunnel (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@DibuckTV)

Inside the sewer tunnel, you’ll encounter a moving electric anomaly. If it strikes you, you'll take damage, so run quickly to avoid it. The path is linear, so just follow the yellow exclamation mark.

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Enter the bunker (Mobile lab)

Proceed further ahead, and you’ll come across a bunker. Climb up, open the bunker hatch, and head down. Inside, you’ll find a mobile lab with dead scientists. Your objective is to find Nahoda. Follow the alley, take a left, and then another left to find Nahoda's body. Search it for items.

Collecting information about the scanning sites (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@DibuckTV)

Next, locate Nahoda's laptop in the chamber you encountered after climbing down the ladder on your left. Interact with it to copy data and receive the coordinates for your next destination.

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Locate the Echo Detector

You’ll now need to find the Echo Detector, which can be obtained from a scientist in an orange hazard suit near the exit. Search his body to collect the detector, which reveals nearby artifacts.

Obtaining the Echo Detector (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@DibuckTV)

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Locate and collect the Slug artifact

Proceed to the marked location, where you’ll find green oozy material and a tipped-over barrel. Equip the Echo Detector by pressing "Q" on PC or the left direction button on a controller. As you approach the barrel, the detector will beep faster the closer you get to the artifact.

Finding the Slug artifact (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@DibuckTV)

You’ll find the Slug artifact near the barrel, in the green acidic puddles. Collect it, and proceed to the marked location. Be cautious, as a fast and dangerous enemy called Bloodsucker will attack. Head to a confined area or near a door where the enemy can only approach from the front, making it easier for you to defeat.

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Use the scanner to scan all three locations

Proceed to the indicated location, where you'll see a glowing mist with a bluish tint. Place the scanner there, and once the scanning process is complete, retrieve it. Be aware of electric shocks on the ground near the scanning site. Pass carefully to avoid taking damage.

First scanning site (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@DibuckTV)

Proceed to the second location as directed, where you’ll encounter armed enemies. Take cover and eliminate them. As you move forward, objects will be thrown at you by an unknown entity. Dodge and keep running to avoid taking damage.

Second scanning site (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@DibuckTV)

Continue following the marker to the second scanning point. Place the scanner and wait for it to finish. Be cautious of fire points nearby — when approached, fire will burst from the ground, causing damage. Avoid it and keep moving to the third scanning point.

Third scanning site (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@DibuckTV)

At the third location, place the scanner. The mission ends with a cutscene involving crossfire. You throw a smoke grenade and retrieve the scanner, but as you try to run away, you get captured.

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Check out our other Stalker 2 articles:

• How to fast travel in Stalker 2
• All available Artifacts and their locations in Stalker 2
• How to increase the carry limit in Stalker 2