Metro 2033 features 7 chapters with a unique one called Prologue. There are 36 levels total. Most of them require from you exploring stations and tunnels when several missions take action on the surface in abandoned Moscow. Your main goal in almost every mission is to proceed through the level from starting point to the end. Also, the game includes quests-defenses where you have to protect certain position from hordes of monsters or humans.
Here we want to reveal features of every mission of the game. They are divided into chapters similar to the main menu. Note that this guide may contain some spoilers, but we don’t want to reveal all story twists. It’s way more interesting to enjoy the game during your own playthrough. The detailed description of plot and endings you can find in our overall guide. And this article covers only main story features and gameplay options for each quest.
Prologue
It’s 0 chapter of the game which guides you through the basics both of gameplay and story. Here are only 2 levels:
- Prologue
It’s the very 1st mission which starts with a tutorial. Be sure to catch all tips as controls and HUD in the game are quite unusual. This level takes action near the end of the game so don’t be surprised at the equipment and strange persons around. You will remember it in the 6th chapter.
- Hunter
This level is short and friendly. It helps you to understand basics of interactions in safe places. Here is also a simple battle with monsters where you even don’t have to use weapons. The story starts here as Hunter talks with Artyom and gives him the main task – to defend metro.
Chapter 1 – Let the Journey Begin
As you are still a newcomer the game remains friendly in this chapter. It features 2 levels as well, but they become more dynamic:
- Exhibition
It continues previous levels as you are at home called VDNKh station. Be sure to explore it if you want to get achievements. Also, try to speak with all encountered NPCs as it can bring you additional moral points for another ending. Preparation can bring you good ammo as well.
- Chase
It’s the 1st action level where the game adds some horror. Almost all level you will travel on the hand cart through tunnels. Here are several mutants and anomalies. The main action is taken when you should protect the transport from horde of nosalises.
Chapter 2 – Bourbon
This chapter begins right when you will arrive to Riga station. It features 7 levels so it’s one of the longest chapters in the game:
- Riga
Here we have another safe friendly mission. Riga station is quite poor, here you will find a bar and a brothel. Your main goal is to find Bourbon who will be your guide in this chapter. Try to be kind to achieve additional moral points. You will recognize correct episode for sure.
- Lost Tunnel
In this action level, you will encounter new monsters such as lurkers and human foes called bandits. Make your way through an old tunnel to the camp of bandits. Bourbon will lead you, but will not help in eliminating enemies. You also can explore tunnels without the companion.
- Bridge
It’s a pretty short level where your main goal is to pass the bridge. There will be several mutants and guards from Hansa. Make sure to sneak when Hansa’s railcar comes to achieve an additional moral point. Also, here you should wear a gas mask to protect from polluted air.
- Lost Catacombs
As you are moving away from the bridge there will be more pollution and mutants. Move through the old graveyard and be sure to protect Bourbon. Hostile anomalies wait in this strange place, but at the end, you will reach Market station which is another safe place.
- Market
This friendly mission lets you buy equipment and weapons. Explore the level and then rejoin with Bourbon to move further. You want to buy air filters and some ammo as next levels will be on the surface. Regardless of Bourbon’s phrases, you can spend here any amount of time.
- Dead City 1
We congratulate you on the 1st expedition to the surface! This level features several buildings of ruined Moscow. You will encounter mutants, be aware of flying ones called Demons. Also, don’t shoot at Dark Ones if you want to receive moral points for another ending.
- Dead City 2
It’s a very small level that continues the previous one. Meet Bourbon and proceed to another entry to the metro. Here will be a pretty tough battle with watchers and Demons. Don’t keep ammo for the further mission as you want to kill all mutants to succeed here.
Chapter 3 – Khan
This chapter replaces your previous companion with Khan. Prepare to anomalies, mystics and hidden secrets which will be revealed during this chapter:
- Dry
After a successful fight with a horde of monsters makes your way down to the Dry station. There are a lot of bandits which you can kill. But it’s easier to stay in the shadows and crawl through the entire level. Bourbon will be there, but your new companion is Khan. Why? Play and reveal!
- Ghosts
It’s a filler-type level that reveals huge part of the metro story and its supernatural features. You should fight only with several mutants near the end of the level. Just follow Khan, listen to him and feel that spooky atmosphere. Due to such levels Metro 2033 is a horror, you know.
- Anomaly
Here you have another filler-type mission. The previous one features ghosts and this is about anomalies. Listen to Khan as he describes how to survive near dangerous supernatural entities. A short battle near the end of the mission is cinematic, you even don’t have to shoot.
- Cursed
It’s a pretty unusual level where are friends and hostiles as well as mystical creatures. Help defenders of a station you have reached. Block tunnels to protect a station from mutants arriving. You will face ghosts and a strange shrine, so don’t be surprised with it.
- Armory
During this safe mission, you can buy equipment and weapons or upgrade for them. Khan has left you alone and now you should interact with citizens of Red Line. It is ruled by communists. Relax and enjoy cinematic action till the end of the mission where vendors are.
Chapter 4 – War
During the previous chapter, Artyom discovered that his way to Polis is blocked. Thus, he – or you – have to move through battlefields of Red Line and Fourth Reich:
- Frontline
Feel a real action of Metro 2033 in this quest where your main goal is to move through the battlefield. You may be at this level with direct combats or with stealth strategy. Be sure to explore side tunnels near the camp of Nazis as the level ends when you open a door there.
- Trolley Combat
Your new friends called rangers will save you from the Nazis. This level is full of action and chasing. Move through different stations and outposts on an armored trolley to reach Polis. At the end of the mission, you will encounter the Panzer that is the strongest vehicle in the metro.
- Depot
Proceed further through the territory of Nazis. You want to kill a first enemy who is a watchman. Deal with him and you can avoid dozens of foes. But be ready to fight with mutants near the end where abandoned trains are.
- Defense
Here is another action-friendly level where you will meet a closed group of survivals from Hole station. They try to protect their home from monsters and ask for a help. You will fail anyway as it’s a part of the story. Explore tunnels after the tragedy and find last survivors.
- Child
Well, meet a brand new type of level. You have to carry a young boy on your back during the entire mission! It will be way harder to navigate and aim, but this companion will alert you about mutants. At the end, you can choose a bonus that can be ammo or moral points.
- Outpost
It’s a pretty unusual mission where you face human foes on the surface. Make your way through the ruined city and don’t forget about evil Nazis and Demons. If you want to receive additional moral points, be sure to broadcast message to the commander from Hole station.
- Black Station
Be prepared for the toughest level with human enemies. Your goal is similar to other mission – you have to make your way through occupied by Nazis station. We recommend moving through generator room as there are fewer foes. At the end, you will meet Ulman.
Chapter 5 – Hope
After meeting with another ranger called Ulman you will go to Polis. Be strong and accept their refusal of helping. Here are 6 levels:
- Polis
Polis is the biggest and the richest state of the metro. Artyom asked for help here, but the government of Polis rejected this request. However, rangers with Miller and Ulman decided to find a way to deal with Dark Ones. In this case, you should locate D6 hidden bunkers.
- Alley
To find D6 you must infiltrate in the library on the surface. This level connects Polis and Library missions. Here you can find a lot of ammo and valuable items, but be aware of several mutants. Move fast enough to hide from monsters, but don’t miss cool loot.
- Library
It’s the beginning of your journey inside the Moscow library. Here you are an escort for rangers and it’s pretty boring. Demons will attack your group and injure rangers. Accept it so far as you should proceed further alone.
- Depository
Inner rooms of a library are controlled by librarians. These mutants are pretty powerful, but you can force them to leave you. Just look at librarian and wait till it leaves. Make your way to the lowest part of a building and watch out for several librarians.
- Archives
Here are many librarians as well so be careful. The level is linear and you should follow the radar. You can breathe here without gas mask unlikely to the previous level. Proceed to the cutscene in which you will find documents with the location of D6.
- Driving to Sparta
Have a short rest between action levels. This one has several cutscenes and a lot of vendors in Sparta. Buy new equipment, weapons, ammo, and supplies, upgrade your items and spend all money. This is your last chance to interact with vendors.
Chapter 6 – D6
You are near the end of the mission. It’s time to travel in secret bunker D6 where the solution for Dark Ones’ problem probably can be found:
- Dark Star
That’s what we call defense-type level. Make your way on the railcar to the locked door of D6. Then you have to protect rangers from nosalises with a +flamethrower. Survive several waves of enemies and NPCs will open the door. Oh, there’s also an anomaly in this level!
- Dungeon
It’s another regular moving level where you have to break through mutants. Your main goal here is a little different than killing. You should protect a ranger-technician which can activate missiles to destroy Dark Ones’ hive.
- Caves
Continue your journey, but without mates. Rangers are separated from you by a broken door. This level shows that developers were a little tired of designing this chapter as there are a lot of similar missions. Have patience and you will be rewarded with a strange ending of this level.
- D6
It’s an introduction to next 2 levels filled with action. But here are a few mutants so you can have a rest. Pursue the main goal and try to locate a control panel of missiles. For that find an elevator and go to the lowest level of D6.
- Biomass
Here’s another type of level which can be categorized as boss level. Find a terrible Biomass in the reactor of D6 and weaken in a long fight. You cannot kill it so just follow instructions of Miller. Be aware of high radiation from the Biomass.
- Separation
That is the last level of a chapter. Say «bye» to Ulman and proceed with Miller to Ostankino Tower. During this level, you can grab some cool weapons including Kalash 2012. Wear your gas mask to the next level will start immediately on the surface.
Chapter 7 – Tower
Finally, it’s the last chapter of the game. Reach Ostankino Tower, explore it and be ready to choose the fate of the world and Dark Ones:
- Tower
Do you remember Prologue? Here it continues. Push mutants back and enter your final destination. It’s highly recommended to stay near Miller as enemies will kill you far away from your mate. It’s interesting that gas mask is more durable at this and further levels.
- Top
The elevator of Ostankino Tower still works, but it will break near the top. Enjoy the cinematic action and move through several Demons. Left wounded Miller in a safe place after Demon hits him. Then reach the top accompanied by Dark Ones’ voices and prepare to the end.
- Ethereal
Here we are. The final of the game. Find yourself in the trance created by Dark Ones. You can die here so make some saves. Move in the vision and try to avoid Dark Ones. The exact ending depends on your moral points as well as on your final decision where to shoot.
Well, endings are provided in our big guide about Metro 2033. Check it if you want to read some spoilers. Or explore the game without them!