Stalker 2 Endings interpretation : Ward
Ward : This was my First ending as I sided with the ward throughout the entire game, due to there goals being straightforward and on the surface good ( partially due to how easy the game is traversal wise, the ward is everywhere) their goal is to use the Alpha to remotely connect to the Noosphere giving Humanity infinite and clean energy which is good. However the mysterious Regulatory board sits overhead using the ward as a means of achieving the goal which I believe is access to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R program which gives them a 1984 like power. Also I found colonel Korshunov dialogue at the end of the game very interesting, he talks about his old dog that tried to catch and bite his own tail and dying before it could, which I interpret as Korshunov using a Metaphor to describe how he will be stuck inside the C-Con pod. He is a old dog ( physically aged ( early 50-60) and worn down by the zone highlighted by his spinal injury from the Duga )
The tail he describes is his freedom/ retirement, which is so close yet so far, he has the money and the power yet bond by his loyalty to the Board who manipulate him for their own goals. Then to be a pawn, doomed to lie dormant in the pod. It is tragic he fought for so long as a loyal soldier just to be used as a pawn.
SIRCAA: Also during the ward route we learn that SIRCAA will extend their reach to the limits in the zone. I don’t really have much but that they’re often portrayed as scum by stalkers, Generic Quote when talking to NPC’s “When a Scientist( Including SIRCAA) asks you do a job for them, tell them to eat a real hard dick!” That summarises their reputation in the zone.
Skif: At face value Skif has achieved everything he wanted originally, a house, money and bonus’s Such as potential cancer from artifacts, anomalous bread, Bloodsucker PTSD and also a position at the Ward as Colonel if he wanted too. But the more we look we see that it could be a ( and this is my theory) psychic induced illusion by the New C-Con because at the end we see screens of various stalker journeys meaning that Skif could have just been brainwashed and turned into a Agent of this new C-Con, he is the formidable opponent making him extremely useful to the Board. And this is all a ploy, also meaning that they now have constant surveillance on all stalkers In the zone. On the other hand, Skif has gotten everything but I feel like he would experience a deep hollowness after leaving bond to return to a now mundane life as the Zone is unlike anything he has ever seen. In a scenario, I think Skif would feel called back to the zone, and maybe he has a change of ideals and goes against the ward. But anyway our Guy Skif he’s got it all, the zone, not a threat it won’t expand any time soon, money no problem he’s rich after selling that anomalous bread and 800 rubles Gauss Rifle ( I believe he would fall for the scam, it is too enticing) and job prospects: position as colonel of the ward and a pretty nice salary + hazard pay.
What do you guys think of the ward ending, i personally think it is a double edged sword, humanity gets Clean energy but a mysterious Regulatory board has complete power. But for Skif : A: he is now a C-Con agent for the new C-Con or B gets to enjoy a pretty nice life free from the trials and tribulations of the Zone. What do you guys personally think of Ward Ending?