However, there is also a new element added to the game: a semi-open world with sandbox levels that requires players to gather resources and craft items that are essential for survival. This makes Metro Exodus the most survival-oriented game in the series.

There is a lot to learn here, and you may be a bit puzzled with what to do at first, especially if you’re a new player. Just follow our beginner’s guide below for all the information you need to be able to started on the right foot.

Gather as Many Resources as You Can

Metro Exodus introduces a new crafting mechanic that allows players to combine materials they find in the open world into useful items, such as gas mask filters, medkits, weapons, etc.

This means that you have to spend a hefty time of your gameplay on gathering resources that will come in handy when you need to craft one of these life-saving items. So keep your eyes open wherever and literally loot everything you see.

When you are in the open, don’t be afraid to stray away from the mission objective and just explore every building you can find. Of course, you might get into a fight with mutants, but you also get to find a lot of loot this way.

Basically, you will find only two types of crafting materials in the game:

Chemicals Metals

Chemicals are used to craft medkits that will heal your wounds with the help of patches, molotov cocktails, liquid for cleaning weapons, and so on. Chemicals are usually represented by green glowing mushrooms that grow on the ground.

Metals can be used for crafting ammo and weapons, and you will find them almost anywhere in the form of tools and scraps lying around.

Weapons are Your Best Friends

Even though survival plays a huge role in the game, it is still a first-person shooter. You need to try to find the best weapons and attachments that will help you get through the largest hoards of mutants.

In the beginning of the game Kalash will do the job just fine, but later on you will be able to pick up a shotgun from a dead enemy. It’s a much more powerful weapon in close range, which is the usual range for attacking monsters in Metro Exodus.

On top of that it’s good to have a companion piece, such as a pistol or a revolver, which will come in handy in case you’re out of ammo on your primary weapon.

Maintain Your Gear and Weapons

Your backpack is not the only crafting equipment you can use. You can find workbenches inside abandoned bunkers that can perform a few other important tasks, such as crafting more advanced items and cleaning weapons.

If you have a weapon that you feel good about, then be sure to maintain it properly and clean it using chemicals that you’ve found along the way. If you don’t clean your weapon regularly, it will start loosing accuracy and at times it’ll get jammed.

As for your gear, your gas mask is not invincible and it can break. Be sure to craft patches that can be used for covering holes in your gear and thus keep you alive.

Develop Day/Night Strategies

Another new feature of Metro Exodus is the influence of the day and night cycle. What does it mean? You can do different things more effectively during the day and others during the nighttime.

For example, the daytime is perfect for free roaming and gathering resources. You can see better and thus find more loot. The most dangerous mutants are nocturnal creatures, so they’ll be sleeping while you roam around.

The night is a much better time for completing main missions, especially if they require a stealthy approach. In this way you can get past the most dangerous places without ever getting noticed. This strategy will not only save you time, but also help you get a better reputation in the end.

Always Opt for Stealthy Approach

Often it is hard to find enough ammo or other items to be able to successfully complete any required mission. That is why stealth mode is so beneficial in Metro Exodus. These benefits are:

You get to significantly reduce the amount of wasted ammo, especially if you are good at headshots You have a much bigger chance of completing any mission in one go, which saves time Your reputation won’t suffer due to excess bloodshed since you’re stealthing

This is also the reason why going out at night for a mission is much better. But don’t forget to extinguish any source of light on your way that may compromise you. You should also try to always crouch, which significantly reduces the levels of noise your produce and increases your aiming accuracy.

Talk to NPCs and Follow Their Cues

Try to find time for NPCs while you’re pushing through your many other responsibilities in Metro Exodus. And don’t forget to talk to guys at Aurora, as they also have their own stories to tell.

NPCs can also ask favors, which they will repay in hints towards rare items and secrets. Staying social can get you some very useful attachments or pieces of gear that might help you greatly to finish the game.

Never miss any opportunity to talk to people, even if you could care less about the story.


These essential beginner tips should help you get through the most of the game’s content, and be sure to come back soon for more Metro Exodus guides here at GameSkinny!