In Shadow of Chernobyl, artifacts had a wide range of unique properties that enabled dynamic build options which should return in STALKER 2.

Without the Zone, there would be no anomalies. Without anomalies, no artifacts. Without artifacts, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl would have no Stalkers. While the pockets of altered physics known as anomalies can only be observed within the Zone itself, artifacts can be physically removed from the Zone and brought into the larger world, creating the black market which is a Stalker's lifeblood.

But like the Zone itself, the properties of artifacts within the STALKER games have changed over time. In the first game, Shadow of Chernobyl, artifacts had a wide range of unique properties which were streamlined in later titles, removing build options that should return in STALKER 2.

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Artifacts are the main reason for Stalkers to stay in the Zone. Akin to magical talismans granting miraculous properties to their users, artifacts must be plucked from the center of the Zone's deadly anomalies surrounded by ravenous mutants. In each STALKER game, almost all artifacts have a beneficial effect and a drawback, such as the Stone Blood which regenerates health at the cost of lowered defense. A few rare specimens, such as the chemical-resistant Pellicle, provide just a benefit. Some even have no effect at all besides a bizarre appearance, as is the case with the Altered Insulator.

Roadside Picnic, the original novel from which STALKER draws most of its inspiration, also featured artifacts which enticed that story's Stalkers into the hazards of the Zone of Alienation. These included self-replicating Batteries and Empties which were two floating discs that could not be pulled apart or pushed together. These artifacts are directly referenced in the games with the Battery, Shell, and Spring.

Like the Stalkers of the novel, players can choose to sell their artifacts to one of the Zone's many traders, which they most likely will do with the majority of artifacts recovered, since a player can only equip a limited number of artifacts at a time. Weighing the advantages and drawbacks of artifacts provided Shadow of Chernobyl with a range of build options, allowing the player to make meaningful choices in their loadout without being shackled to a restrictive and clunky leveling system. But in Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat, this system was changed.

The release of STALKER: Clear Sky created two issues with artifacts. The more minor issue was the change in artifact properties. For example, in Shadow of Chernobyl the Moonlight boosts endurance, while in Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat it provides Psy Protection. Other artifacts like the Kolobok, Mama's Beads, Gravi, and Fireball had their benefits completely swapped. While confusing, the switch up itself is not a major problem for the lore (the events of the games involve massive changes to the Zone as well as its Stalker factions) or the use of the artifacts, since learning the new effects is relatively simple.

But it is this simplicity which provokes the much greater issue: the shift in the drawbacks from various effects to a universal radiation infliction. In the first game, a drawback could be increased damage from specific damage types or more severe status ailments, but in later games the negative is always radiation. Even the best weapons in the Zone come with trade-offs between damage, accuracy, and range. Not only is equipping artifacts much less meaningful, but the entire system becomes reliant upon how strong the player's current anti-radiation artifact is.

A hybrid approach of some artifacts inflicting radiation and others having unique drawbacks would be the best of both worlds. Perhaps artifact pouches could absorb a set amount of rads from artifacts to encourage build diversity. Anti-radiation artifacts could once again have a drawback instead of being required for every single artifact loadout. Hopefully, GSC Game World can bring back Shadow of Chernobyl's system of trade-offs in STALKER 2, otherwise Stalkers can expect to keep selling every artifact they find until they can scrounge up a Jellyfish.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.

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