Despite its original release over a decade ago, *Metro 2033* remains a cherished entry in the series, experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to the VR-exclusive *Metro Awakening*. This game sets the stage for Artyom's journey, unfolding primarily within Moscow's subterranean tunnels. The mission at the Cursed Station, known as Turgenevskaya in the books and real life, introduces players to the game's first anomalies. Here, Artyom and Khan undertake a challenging mission to assist a group of survivors in repelling relentless nosalis attacks. This mission often poses difficulties for players due to unclear instructions and the confusing layout of the station.
Following the anomaly's devastating impact on the nosalis horde in the prior mission, Khan leads the way to the next station via a railcar, marking the start of the "Cursed" mission. Upon disembarking, follow Khan through the tunnel and around the corner to meet the defenders positioned by the barricaded escalators.
Where To Find The Bomb
Upon conversing with the defenders, you'll learn that an explosives crew ventured into the tunnel earlier to collapse it and halt the nosalis advance, but they've vanished without triggering the explosion. Your task is to locate the bomb and set it off. Be prepared for continuous nosalis attacks throughout the mission. As Khan advises, if you're overwhelmed, retreat to the defenders for support; chances are, you'll need to do this at least once while searching for the bomb.
The bomb is located at the far end of the right-hand tunnel. Avoid proceeding straight past the ghostly shadows, as this will harm you. Once you've retrieved the bomb, you can either proceed directly into the adjacent tunnel or retreat to the defenders if the nosalises become too much to handle.
How To Destroy The Tunnel
With the bomb in hand, head deep into the left-hand tunnel (left from the defenders' perspective) to trigger a cutscene. Artyom will automatically place the bomb and light the fuse, but it's crucial to escape the blast zone swiftly to avoid fatal consequences. Ensure you run as far as possible from the explosion area.
Alternatively, you can throw a grenade or pipe bomb into the same tunnel section to cause a collapse. Remember, even after destroying this main tunnel, nosalises may still find other ways to enter, so stay vigilant and keep your weapon ready.
How To Destroy The Airlock
After destroying the left-hand tunnel, you'll need to take additional steps to secure the station. During the initial dialogue with the defenders, Khan mentions an airlock that can be collapsed to further protect against mutants. To reach this area, ascend the stairs on the right-hand side of the main platform, guided by the glow of torchlight. You may encounter nosalises here, but you can ignore them for now.
To destroy the airlock and fulfill this objective, approach the support columns and interact with them. Artyom will place a pipe bomb on the columns and light the fuse. As with the tunnel, evacuate the area quickly to avoid the ensuing explosion. With both entrances now collapsed, follow Khan to the next phase of the mission, which takes place in a small shrine room. After a brief conversation with Khan, Artyom will descend through a floor panel, leading to the next mission in the game's storyline: "Armory."
