Stalker 2 walkthrough: How to complete the Forge of Progress mission

The Forge of Progress is a main mission in Stalker 2. It is the second chapter of the three-part main quest, titled 'In Search of a Miracle.' The quest picks up immediately after 'A Long Overdue Visit' and follows Skif as he tries to solve an emergency at the Cryptobiology and Psi-Medicine lab of the SIRCAA base, headed by Dr. Dalin.

Stalker 2 is the latest entry in the survival horror franchise. It received critical acclaim for its compelling worldbuilding and punchy gunplay. Here is a walkthrough on how to complete the second chapter of Stalker 2's thirteenth mission — The Forge of Progress.

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How to complete The Forge of Progress mission in Stalker 2

Note: You'll need to complete 'A Long Overdue Visit' beforehand to start The Forge of Progress in Stalker 2.

The Laboratory

A still from Stalker 2 (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@manugames92)

The quest picks up immediately after A Long Overdue Visit. After you wait a few seconds for the meeting to end, you'll be tasked with reaching the laboratory. The lab is located east of the main base. Use the lobby outside Dalin's office to reach the garden courtyard before heading eastwards.

Dr. Kryvenko

Immediately upon entering the lab, you'll encounter Dr. Kryvenko, whom you might remember from the 'Dead Frequency' main mission. Follow him into the bowels of the lab after greeting him. Kryvenko will lead you into the lab's main hall before revealing the cause of the lockdown. Reply with "I'll look into it myself" to move The Forge of Progress quest ahead.

Entrance to the Ventilation Shaft

After talking with the good doctor, exit via the room you entered from. Then, take a left and walk through a door to find yourself in a large laboratory. Head towards the hallway's end exactly opposite the entrance. This should lead you outside the lab. Descend through the stairs and proceed towards the small building you see when you exit the lab.

Turn right after entering it and head towards the furthest door. You'll encounter a sewer entrance blocked by wooden planks. Use your knife to break it and climb down to enter the ventilation shaft.

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The Ventilation Shaft

A still from Stalker 2 (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@manugames92)

Descend downwards through the stairs to move The Forge of Progress quest ahead. You should see a fan opening here that you can crawl through. Once you're on the other side, climb down the ladders to reach the bottom.

Before descending further, note that you will encounter numerous rodents at the next drop. You can toss a grenade from above to deal with them. Drop down below, then circle around the exhaust vent to use a ladder.

You'll encounter a Burer upon reaching a garage. This is a hooded mutant that uses its psychic prowess to strip you of your weapon while using guns lying around to fire back at you. Do not engage him until the blueish aura around him vanishes entirely, as you won't deal any damage.

Next, descend the ladders and enter the door to your left, with the red bulb above it.

Prison

Assistant Tamm will call for aid immediately after your entrance. A mutant cat will also attack you simultaneously. Kill it and talk to Tamm who is locked inside a cell. Although you can free him, it is entirely an optional objective. He'll tell you about a warehouse that contains supplies.

Warehouse

After talking to Tamm, use the emergency staircase and enter a room. Be wary of an enemy soldier who will try to ambush you from the left. You can either kill him or ignore him. Enter the door on the far right of the room to loot the said supplies. You'll find medical supplies and ammunition in the stash.

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Obstacle Course

A still from Stalker 2 (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@manugames92)

Next, proceed towards the door on the left, and follow The Forge of Progress quest marker to reach a location filled with different types of anomalies. You should avoid touching the ground to pass through this room. As such, hop from one ledge to another to complete this course.

Button Puzzle

Upon progressing further, you'll encounter a machine with four buttons. You'll need to hit them in the correct sequence. Hit them in this order from left to right— first, third, fourth, and second. The respective lights will turn green if you get this right. Enter the room behind the lab puzzle to progress The Forge of Progress quest. However, be ready with a close-range weapon, as you'll immediately be attacked by a bloodsucker.

Valve Puzzle

The next room will be filled with highly toxic chemicals. You'll need to turn off three valves to progress. Use the ladder near the pipes to reach the first valve. The second valve will be located in the middle, while the third one will be towards the right of it. This should remove the toxic gas while opening the door.

Follow the path until you encounter a Spatial Anomaly. Jumping in it will lead you to an abandoned facility.

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Professor Hermann

A still from Stalker 2 (Image via GSC Game World || YouTube/@manugames92)

Zombie soldiers will immediately attack you upon your arrival. After dealing with them, follow the Forge of Progress quest marker to meet Prof. Hermann. Upon interacting with him through the glass window, open the double doors with a working lightbulb above it to progress. Then, head downwards and enter an underground tunnel before progressing forward until you encounter a locked door. Use your knife to destroy the padlock.

There will be a few anomalies in the next room, You can estimate their range by seeing the particles around them. Navigate the room and you'll reach Professor Hermann. After talking with him, he'll disappear into the spatial anomaly and you should follow suit.

This interaction will result in you jumping through various locations filled with different mutants, each lasting for a brief minute or two. After this, you'll finally teleport to the main base. This will end The Forge of Progress mission in Stalker 2. Following this, you'll be able to play the concluding chapter of In Search of a Miracle, titled 'Wishful Thinking'.