Inventory Management

Lore & Background

The inventory system reflects the harsh reality of life in the Metro, where every bullet, filter, and medkit can mean the difference between life and death. Artyom, the player character, must manage his limited carrying capacity, often leaving behind valuable items to make room for essentials. This system is not just a gameplay mechanic but a narrative tool, reinforcing the themes of survival and sacrifice that permeate the franchise. The inventory is divided into several categories: weapons, ammunition (including military-grade 5.45x39mm rounds that serve as currency), throwables (such as grenades and knives), and equipment (like gas mask filters, medkits, and lighter). The player can only carry a set number of weapons at once, typically two primary firearms and a sidearm, along with a limited quantity of each item type. This forces strategic decisions about loadout before venturing into dangerous areas. Upgrades and modifications to weapons are also managed through the inventory, allowing players to customize their gear for different scenarios. However, these upgrades take up space and must be balanced against the need for ammunition and medical supplies. The inventory system thus becomes a constant companion, a reminder of the fragile existence in the post-apocalyptic Metro.

In Their Own Story

Artyom crouched in the damp tunnel, his breath fogging the cracked lens of his gas mask. He opened his backpack, the leather creaking in the silence. Inside: three military-grade rounds, two medkits, a half-full filter, and a handful of rusty shotgun shells. He stared at the knife he'd found in the library—a fine blade, but heavy. He could drop the shells, but what if he needed them? The choice was his alone, and the tunnel waited.

Reader's Guide

You have a set number of slots for weapons (usually two primary and one sidearm), and each item type—ammunition, medkits, filters, throwables—has a maximum stack size. You cannot carry everything you find; you must prioritize. To manage your inventory, access the backpack screen (default key: I on PC). Here you can drop items, equip weapons, and use consumables like medkits or filters. Ammunition is divided into two types: standard rounds for your weapons and military-grade rounds that are both powerful ammo and the game's currency. Spend wisely—using military rounds as ammo is effective but costly, like burning cash to stop a bullet. Pay attention to your gas mask filter timer and medkit count. Filters are critical — run out in a radioactive zone and you'll be clawing at your mask as your vision blurs and your lungs burn. Medkits are your only way to heal, so don't waste them on scratches. A good rule: carry at least two filters and one medkit for every major expedition, and treat military-grade rounds like gold — because in the Metro, they are.

Did You Know?

• Military-grade 5.45x39mm rounds serve as both powerful ammunition and the primary currency in the Metro.
• The player can only carry two primary firearms and one sidearm at a time.
• Filters are critical for survival in radioactive zones; running out causes vision blur and lung damage.
• Medkits are the only way to heal, so they must be conserved for serious injuries.
• Weapon upgrades are managed through the inventory and take up space, requiring trade-offs with ammunition and supplies.