Navigating the "Cursed" Mission in Metro 2033: A Comprehensive Guide

Even after a decade, Metro 2033 remains a fan favorite, experiencing renewed interest thanks to Metro Awakening. This guide focuses on the challenging "Cursed" mission, often confusing for players due to unclear objectives and the station's layout. This mission begins after the anomaly clears the nosalis horde in the preceding mission. Khan uses a railcar to travel to the next station, and "Cursed" starts upon exiting.

Locating the Bomb

After meeting the defenders near the barricaded escalators, you learn an explosives team went missing while attempting to collapse a tunnel to stop the nosalis advance. Your task is to find and detonate the bomb. Expect constant nosalis attacks; retreat to the defenders for support if overwhelmed. The bomb is located at the far end of the right-hand tunnel. Avoid the ghostly shadows directly ahead, as they inflict damage. Retrieve the bomb and either proceed to the adjacent tunnel or retreat if necessary.

Destroying the Tunnel

To detonate the bomb, enter the left-hand tunnel (from the defenders' perspective). A cutscene will trigger, showing Artyom planting and lighting the fuse. Quickly retreat from the blast zone to avoid being killed. Alternatively, a grenade or pipe bomb thrown into the same tunnel area will achieve the same result. Note that even with this tunnel destroyed, nosalises may still enter from other points.

Destroying the Airlock

To fully secure the station, destroy the airlock. As mentioned by Khan and the defenders, this is located upstairs, accessible via the stairs on the right of the main platform, in the torchlit area. Ignore the nosalises here. Interact with the support columns to place and detonate a pipe bomb. Evacuate immediately after lighting the fuse. With both entrances destroyed, proceed with Khan to the shrine room and the next mission, "Armory."