This guide details the "Just Like the Good Old Days" main mission in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. The mission's prerequisites depend on player choices in the "Wishful Thinking" mission, leading to either "To the Last Drop of Blood" or "Law and Order" as preceding quests. Both conclude with an escape from the SIRCAA.
Quick Links
Talk to Professor Lodochka
Proceed to the mission marker on Wild Island, locating Professor Lodochka at Quite's Camp. A priority objective will emerge: eliminating mercenaries in the area. These enemies will be clearly marked on the map. Strong equipment is recommended, as further encounters await. After clearing the mercenaries, a path to Lodochka will be revealed, along with an optional objective: activating the ventilation system.
Activate the Ventilation System
This optional objective involves locating a fuse (marked on the map). Another marked point, north of the fuse location, indicates the engineering rooms. Be prepared for an invisible enemy within. Navigate the shelter and passageways to the engine room. Use the fuse to restore power to the ventilation system. Completing this objective simplifies the subsequent mission stages.
Find the Source of the Signal
Before proceeding, consider acquiring better weaponry. The next objective marker leads to a cave entrance near the water. Navigate the caverns westward, descending and traversing various obstacles. A broken pipe allows access to higher cave levels. Locate the large cone-shaped spire, and retrieve the emitter from the marked point beside it. An invisible enemy will likely ambush you on your return. Finally, return to Professor Lodochka to complete the mission, unlocking "Hornet's Nest" as the next main quest.
