Duty and Freedom are a classic division between order and chaos. Duty is all about hierarchy and control of the Zone, while Freedom cherishes individuality and the liberty to explore the bizarre landscape of Chornobyl. Both are large and powerful, and as GSC Game World has stated in STALKER 2’s Developer Diary, their actions will once again play a large role in the landscape of the Zone in STALKER 2.
RELATED: STALKER 2 Cancels NFT Plans Following Controversial Tweet
The Duty Faction
Duty is all about containing the Zone, believing it to be an inherently harmful blight on the world. Their beliefs are easy to understand; given the deadly anomalies, brain-scorching emissions, and some of the most disturbing mutants in video games that define life in the Zone. If any of these threats escaped into the outside world, the consequences would be grave. Believing the regular military stationed on the borders of the exclusion zone are incapable of effectively fighting the entities within, Duty has no choice but to wage a private war on behalf of the human race.
Founded by some of the first Ukrainian soldiers sent into the Zone, Duty draws both its members from ex-military and lone Stalkers who believe that the discipline and dedication of the faction is the best chance they have to fight against the Zone and its corruption. Although Duty is usually willing to work alongside freelance Stalkers, they are more than willing to turn against them if the containment of the supernatural to protect the world demands it. Even so, Duty is one of the major stabilizing forces in the Zone, regularly clearing out mutant dens and attacking any Bandits they find.
In addition to enjoying the relative safety to be found within Duty strongholds, Stalkers who work for and alongside the faction have access to much better equipment than the common Loner. Some of the best weapons in STALKER can be found in the hands of Duty. Thanks to the strict regimentation of their units, Duty has one of the highest standards for weapons and armor in the Zone, which players can use if they join the faction.
The Freedom Faction
On the other side is Freedom, the polar opposite of Duty. Seeing the artifacts and anomalies of the Zone as miracles to be explored and shared with the rest of humanity, Freedom believes its dangers can only be overcome by understanding, instead of destroying them. They claim that the spikes in mutant and blowouts are the result of the Zone defending itself against the likes of Duty and their attempts to destroy it. Though Freedom will hunt and destroy mutants, they do so out of necessity, rather than mandate.
Although stereotyped by their enemies as a group of misguided anarchists and daredevils, many high-minded philosophers and scientists fill the ranks of this faction of well-armed individualists. Despite the laid-back atmosphere of Freedom bases and the lack of strict hierarchy, in combat the clan is highly organized and effective. The faction has proven themselves to be some of the most resourceful fighters in the Zone, regularly going toe-to-toe against other factions, despite their lack of formal training.
Stalkers who join Freedom enjoy slightly better access to Western-manufactured weapons, but the lack of standardization makes their baseline equipment only a bit better than regular Loner gear, if not slightly worse. However, their experience in surviving the Zone means their armor is usually well-insulated against the dangers of anomalies. Favored allies might even be awarded some of the best and coolest-looking equipment in the Zone as a reward for exceptional deeds.
The Importance of Freedom and Duty
In every STALKER game, from Shadow of Chernobyl to Call of Pripyat, the conflict between Duty and Freedom has always been a central feature of the Zone. STALKER is an RPG where player choice matters, and the decisions made by the player character will determine which factions take control of Zone territory, and who numbers among the player’s allies during large confrontations. However, the main contributions Duty and Freedom make to the STALKER series are how they add to the themes of these bleak titles.
Both sides are shown to make valid points, but a combination of pride, past animosities, and simple refusal for either faction to compromise on what they view as basic principles, a costly and pointless war is inevitable. Even when the center of the Zone opens up for the first time in years, and the zealots of Monolith begin threatening the entirety of Chornobyl, the two powerful factions divide their time between fighting the existential threat of the fanatical army, and taking potshots at each other.
Duty and Freedom show the dangers of ideology becoming more important than people, turning the most experienced and even compassionate Stalkers (a rare trait in the Zone) against their fellow man, while the unknown dangers of Chornobyl continue to spread. Their inclusion in STALKER 2 shows that GSC intends to continue their exploration into these fascinating morally grey factions and their characters.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE: STALKER 2 Development Put On Hold Until After Ukrainian Victory Against Russia, Says GSC Game World
