Stalker 2 walkthrough: How to complete Wishful Thinking mission

Stalker 2's map is set in a fictionalized version of the real-world Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The in-game world is overrun with anomalies, hostile NPCs, and huge amounts of deadly hazardous and radioactive material. One of the missions of the main campaign is Wishful Thinking, which takes place in the SIRCAA area of the map.

The quest involves some combat and even includes an aspect where a decision needs to be made to proceed forth. Below is a guide on how to complete this mission in the game and the outcomes of each choice that you make.

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Wishful Thinking mission in Stalker 2

The mission begins immediately after Forge of Progress has been completed. Once it can be activated, head to the D1 hall. Follow the mission markers into the large building, and head through it. Once you reach the hall, follow the set of stairs to the right on the southwestern end. You will end up in a room. This will trigger a cutscene where you speak with Dr Dalin.

Once it ends, get out of the room and into the hall area. Follow the mission marker and proceed to the lower floor. You will find two blue figures kneeling on the ground. Interact with both of them. Once the second figure has been interacted with, a third figure will be standing in front of you. Be prepared before interacting with it, as a gunfight is about to go down.

After speaking with the final spirit who is standing, a gunfight will begin, with many enemies ambushing you (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@WoWQuest)

Be very careful during the gunfight, as the number of enemies may be overwhelming. Due to the nature of the area, use pillars and hide behind small platforms to take cover, and ensure you heal up as required.

Once done, head back up the stairs towards Dalin's room, and find him standing in front of the set of stairs that lead to the room where he previously was. Speak with him to find out what happened on the lower level, and proceed with the mission.

Next, head towards the projection room, which can be found by following the mission marker and exiting the hall via the door found on the east. Head into the room marked B2 found immediately on the right after exiting the door, climb up the flight of stairs to the C1 room, and proceed straight. A cutscene will now play.

Determine the trapped Hermann's fate as per your wishes (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@WoWQuest)

Find Professor Hermann tied to a chair, where you get to decide his fate. Killing him will have him no longer feature in later events of the campaign, while the implications of leaving him alive are presently unknown. Once your decision is made, a conversation with Agatha will follow, and upon it concluding, you must head toward the Cryptobiology lab in the facility.

Exit the building, and reach the marker to find the lab in a building on the eastern end of the compound. Head into it, and take the first left followed by another to enter a room with some lockers. From here, head downstairs through the open door to reach the marker.

Go to the center of the room, and speak with Dubny. Note that here, a choice has to be made when the options "I'm with you" and "I'm with the Ward" show up. The choice affects the ending of the mission, and the mission objectives for choosing both paths can be found below.

Pick your poison when presented with Dubny's choices (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@WoWQuest)

Choosing "I'm with you" will open the door behind Dubny, which will lead to a room with many hostiles that need to be taken down. Once done, follow the path as per the marker to reach X11, where you meet Strider. Help him detonate the explosives and breach the wall, where a cutscene involving Dr Dalin triggers. Once it ends, you will wake up in a sewer, ending the mission.

Alternatively, choosing "I'm with the Ward" will require you to eliminate all soldiers in the room, including Dubny. Once done, follow the mission marker to reach an elevator that will take you to X11. Head into the area and a long cutscene will play, after which the mission draws to a close.

Feel free to choose the ending as you please, and side with either Dubny or the Ward when prompted to do so.

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Read more Stalker 2 articles below:

• Stalker 2 walkthrough: How to complete Chasing Ghosts mission
• Stalker 2 walkthrough: How to complete Hot on the Trail mission
• How to use consumables in Stalker 2
• How to survive radiation in Stalker 2