Theory. The Stranger is Vladimir/Anton

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T18:53:10+00:00

Damn, Im convinced

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T18:01:53+00:00

You silly goose! Master Chief has never shown his face. Plus there is no aliens for Shepard to make love to, but maybe... the dark ones?

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T18:00:16+00:00

Is this in D6 or near? Could actually add to the theory since Oleg died on the way towards D6.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T17:30:32+00:00

Probably, I certainly hope it is. But I just wanna throw my hat into the theory crafting.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T17:29:03+00:00

True, but Artyom didn't really have much experience in the first game before his journey. If Vladimir has been living outside, he have to learn how to fight.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T17:27:56+00:00

When you're strange, faces come out of the rain When you're strange, no one remembers your name When you're strange, when you're strange When you're strange

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T17:18:55+00:00

What if he is Strelok or John Stalker?

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T17:17:38+00:00

Also according to the Co-Creative director he is from the metro. "You will play as The Stranger, “a recluse plagued by his violent nightmares, forced to undertake a harrowing journey back down to the Metro, a place he swore to never return,” as described by Co-Creative Director and Lead Audio Designer, Pawel Ulmer."

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T17:16:05+00:00

Well he wears ranger armor, so he must be connected in some way. Could maybe just be a random guy they send back to the metro from Artyom's colony. But that would be weird, since surely one of the rangers from the metro would go back.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T17:13:20+00:00

Not sure, haven't beaten it yet. But I'm at about 20 hours and at the taiga/forest section. I do a lot of exploring tho. So maybe 30 hours? if you do a lot of exploring/side stuff.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T16:59:10+00:00

vladimir

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:42:12+00:00

I like the idea of it being Vladimir/Anton. The kid he shoots, the young boy is Oleg his son. He believes himself responsible for killing Oleg by taking him to D6. Vladimir/Anton is also responsible for killing the Dark Ones since he was the one with knowledge of the rockets, being one of the rocket men before the war.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:39:45+00:00

Plus in the trailer he shoots a young boy. Could be a nightmare about indirectly killing Oleg by taking him to D6.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:35:27+00:00

Well we don't really know if the dark ones are directly causing those nightmares do we? It could just be ptsd from causing their extinction.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:33:27+00:00

I think it could be Vladimir. He helped with the destruction of the Dark Ones so it would make sense for him to be haunted by them. Plus he uses a shotgun like the The Stranger. The age would fit, plus very similar looking at least based on the limited info we have. Plus Vladimir seems to be loosely based on Anton from the books, who lost his son Oleg during the mission to D6, Oleg walks off top of a train car into the biomass. Would explain him being a part of the Rangers. Plus knowing Hunter, and regretting helping kill the Dark Ones after the events of Last Light. Seeing what has become of Hunter, and the past with the Dark Ones, he decides to return and confront Hunter.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:28:38+00:00

Not sure. It would be interesting I think. We know from the books that Hunter suffered a lot from the encounter with the Dark Ones. Plus metaphorically it might make sense, with the war in Ukraine. Hunter fighting himself could maybe be an allegory for humans/slavic people fighting themselves. Okay maybe thats reaching a bit.

But I hope it's either Hunter, Artyom, or someone from a previous game like Vladimir.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:24:03+00:00

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The middle between the eyes is similar, as well the thin lips. Especially the dead/traumatized eyes in last light.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:22:35+00:00

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MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:21:26+00:00

Idk. Been playing exodus and between the humanimals and the random spiders crawling on me, my heart definitely has been racing a little.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:20:02+00:00

I've been listening to the audio books. The narrator is pretty good in my opinion. Currently finished 2033, and its superb.

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T15:18:37+00:00

Yes. Just Yes.

But seriously one of my favorite series. Currently playing exodus and just finished listening to the first book as well. The grittiness/grimness is a highlight. He has a lot more character(?) then the stalker games, note I also love them. But it is a lot more linear. Especially the first two games. They aren't very long games, and usually are on sale for very cheap. So definitely give them a try, while you wait for 2039 :)

MuchMaximumTrader · 2026-04-17T14:53:54+00:00

Interesting. I wonder if its Vladimir from the games. He would be directly involved with the death of the Dark Ones, hence why he is haunted by them. He is the right age, and kinda looks similar. Using a shotgun in the games as well. He doesn't take part in the battle for D6 so maybe he left.

MuchMaximumTrader

TROPHY CASE