Metro Exodus

68 Achievements

60-80h

GOG

Forest child

Complete the TAIGA level without attacking anyone or getting noticed.

Epic

1.1%

How to unlock the Forest child achievement in Metro Exodus - Definitive Guide

Bermuda Polygon

TrueAchievements

17 Feb 2019 09:07

EDIT (all credit for this sequence skip goes to user Balarush in the comments below): If anyone is struggling with this, especially if they get stuck in a daytime scenario like myself, there's a sequence break I just discovered.
Before you even enter the church courtyard there's a sheer cliff with some small outcroppings. You can drop to these with relative safety from near the middle, skipping the bear fight and the spawn trigger, leaving the entire enemy camp empty for you to mosey on through at your own leisure.
When you arrive at the sawmill, enemies will populate as normal. It's relatively easy getting there unspotted, and this made the final camp stress-free. / end EDIT

For this to unlock you must not be spotted by anyone in the level, which includes Pioneers, Pirates, and Bandits. You are ALSO not allowed to engage them in any way - you can't knock anyone out either. Killing animals and monsters is fair game.

Every location that you need to get through has multiple pathways that let you sneak past unnoticed so there is no definitive guide as such. You want to make generous use of quicksaves and lures (cans) to draw enemies away from you. It goes without saying that you must always always always wait for nightfall before trying to sneak past an area with human enemies in it. You will find a bunch of campsites between them which let you wait, so you use them whenever you get the chance.

You CAN be spotted by certain "friendly" enemies - for example at the first pioneer camp to the very left there is a lone sentry chopping wood. As you get closer to him he will hear your footsteps and turns around - this is a scripted thing - and try to surrender, but if you don't attack him (not even knock him out) and lower your weapon he will tell you that you can bypass the sentries by taking the caves right ahead of that area. This, as well stumbling on a sentry that was told to stay in the corner in one of the huts on top of the larger pioneer camp (the one where the meeting between the pirates and pioneers takes place), is fine and won't void the achievement. What matters is that you 1) DO NOT ATTACK ANY HUMAN ENEMIES and 2) DO NOT GET SPOTTED BY ONE SO THAT THEY ENGAGE YOU IN COMBAT.

Don't risk it by trying to save any of the captives in the bandit camp - just by clearing areas without attacking anyone you will have enough positive karma to get the Alyosha achievement.

The most challenging part is to sneak past the last pirate camp before the sawmill because you need to use a boat to do it. You need to sneak into the camp and raise the gates for you to swim through, the lever controlling the gates is on the second floor of the shack immediately to the left of the gates. Make sure you save before you try to swim out of the camp. There is a boat in the camp itself, but make sure you extinguish the lantern that's on it before you get in if you elect to use that one. Also make sure you don't go at full speed when you are in the boat - hold RT about halfway because you will be swimming through the middle of the camp for about 10 seconds and you don't want to make more noise. Once you clear that camp and get to the sawmill (it's the location with all the glowing mushrooms, toxic gas, and shrimp monsters) you will fulfill all the requirements for this achievement as there are no more human enemies past that point, but the achievement won't pop until you finish the level.

17 Feb 2019 09:07

27 Comments

What about the guy at the beginning that is getting attacked by the wolf ? can you help him?...
Or what about the two people shorty after that who tell you to clear off? Can you be spotted by them?

By M I K 3 ID v on 17 Feb 2019 21:04

Yes. You can kill the wolves and it will not void the achievement. The Pirates who spot you when you walk across the bridge will always do so; it is a scripted event. As long as they don't see you after that point, you are fine.

By Or1g1nal S1nn3r on 17 Feb 2019 21:08

Yup, as Or1g1nal S1nn3r said, if they don't attack you (or you them), it's all good. Animals and beasts are fair game too.

By Bermuda Polygon on 17 Feb 2019 22:20

To further clarify, you can be spotted by beasts & monsters?

By Vudix on 20 Feb 2019 23:17

is that sentry the guy down the zip line by the treehouse?

By imoneoldfart on 22 Feb 2019 13:42

The sentry is in one of the huts on top of the pioneer camp. I am not sure if it's by the zipline, but he will start speaking with you if you walk into the room (basically that it was on his watch that Alyosha escaped and he is now getting blamed for it). There's also a cassette tape in the same room with one of Teacher's recordings.

By Bermuda Polygon on 23 Feb 2019 05:45

+1 from me. Some other tips/tricks that may help.

- Don't do this on Ranger Hardcore. Just don't.

- This may seem benign/obvious to most, but due to the game's narrative style, it can somewhat confusing to know which upcoming parts are actually mandatory and which parts are you bumping into the enemy by accident when you first play them. The guide does a great job in defining this - if enemies try to engage you, then you've been "spotted". If they say something, its a story move. The circumstances that you will be "seen" as part of the story that doesn't void this are as follows:

- DO THIS MISSION AT NIGHT. I had to retry some areas, but generally, I didn't have too many issues with stealth at night. In the day, enemy vision is significantly sharper and one of my friends gave up trying. As boring as it may be, if you're in the day wait until you're in a safe area, and just leave it idle until around 22:00. This is a pretty good tip generally if you're struggling with stealth.

- When you get to the bandit camp

don't even bother with going anywhere else unless you're looking for collectibles. Just head straight to the church to the northwest. And on that note...

- ...if, like me, you're doing collectibles, good karma, AND "Full Strength" on your first playthrough, I'd recommend doing a quick save before your next collectible (when its clear, obviously). Then, follow your guide as noisily and crudely as you like, get your collectible(s) for that area, and then re-load your save to play stealthily and progress. Your collectibles save automatically, so you don't need to get in a pickle trying to get to your collectible AND finish the area in one fell swoop. Just rush through, get the collectibles by any means neccesary for that area, and then reload/focus on objective until next collectible.

- The swamp area where you have to steal a boat raise the gate, SUCKS (this is after you leave Olga's Tower). This how I did it relatively stress-free after many reloads:

After leaving Olga's Tower and following the path, you'll see a massive pirate hideout.

When you get there, don't go straight ahead to the ladder, you will get caught (if they say something along the lines of "The b*****d wants a boat! Take him down!" reload. This ISN'T a story section like at the beginning of the level).

Instead, take a long left along a small road (will be some broken down cars). When you can't proceed any further, navigate the rocks until you come to an area with an unlit boat, and a little ladder up to a platform with 2 guards. If you're in the clear, make a quick save.

Take the boat around in a clockwise direction (left to right), and you'll come to a small bridge with a landing on the left, and (likely) a pirate patrolling the bridge. When you're approaching the bridge, hang back and edge forward slowly until he moves over the bridge (right). Sometimes, this enemy will start to clock on you're there, but as long as you don't hear music and shouting/gunfire you're okay, just back up and wait for him to leave. Once he's gone, dock and get off at the landing on the left. If you're in the clear, make another quick save as this is the building we need.

Crouch up the stairs/ramp to the second floor, and you'll notice a semi-open room with a very bright light with a blueish hue. Be patient here, as the enemy in this room does eventually leave (to his right). When he does, pull the lever to open the gate and (this is important) turn off the light. Then, go back down the stairs. You should be back in the same spot you were at when you initially docked. Turn the fire stick off at the bottom of the stairs/ramp, and head back to where you docked If you're clear, quick save one last time.

This is the super annoying part, but resist the urge of making any more quick saves as you really need to do this bit in one, and it doesn't take long to keep retrying it.

You need to go under the bridge, take a sharp left, and go straight ahead. However, as we can't take enemies out, they'll be on watch. Without turning the lights off, I physically couldn't get past this section. Even after I did this took me around 6-7 attempts. What I did was tap RT (or hold it half way) and camped under the bridge until I knew I was all clear. It's a little bit of luck herein, but make your left and keep edging your way forward. All you need to do is head straight forward now, but I always had an enemy on a high walking bridge. Edge forward as he's turned away. He will turn around eventually, so you'll want to be under the high bridge he's on as he's turning around. If this all goes okay, just leg it straight ahead. Sometimes they'll start to say "what was that?" etc. but if you're lucky you can just keep going.

After this, you're clear for the rest of the mission! Any other encounters are with mutants.

By NoHeroes94 on 27 Feb 2019 10:02

I've attempted this a few times with no luck, I'm not being shot at, at any point through the level. At the end passing the gate, guards will say "I saw a shadow" or whatever but none actually start shooting. So I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Please help

By N4STY B3AST on 04 Mar 2019 02:40

Can anyone confirm if the dude standing before the hut with the 'Alchemist’s Log' diary doesn't void it? Because if not, I need to get that diary and then restart Chapter.

EDIT: I can confirm it myself now, that dude doesn't void it.

By NeXuS23 on 03 Apr 2019 00:51

Does anyone know if the combat music starts and then stops after just a few seconds whitout any shot being fired or any enemy shouting means I have been spoted?
EDIT: yep, if the music starts, even if the NPCs don't attack you or sound an alarm or chase you, even so it means you have been spotted. Need to play the mission again just because the boat part.

By DukeVonLeo on 09 Sep 2019 05:59

So I never got this on my normal playthrough, so now I have to do it on my game+ playthrough with no reloads so e everytime I get caught I must start from the beginning. So I either got to play the whole game from the start again with out game + or attempt to do this w9th no saves reloads... total pile of sh**t

By o IExcision on 12 Sep 2019 20:26

Take the boat around in a clockwise direction (left to right), and you'll come to a small bridge with a landing on the left, and (likely) a pirate patrolling the bridge. When you're approaching the bridge, hang back and edge forward slowly until he moves over the bridge (right).

The pirate NEVER leave the bridge. It is impossible to cross it with the boat without being spotted.

By Pereira ViP on 03 Nov 2019 01:57

This one is driving me nuts!

By burnthelamb on 11 Nov 2019 17:34

@Kamerad Leo

The music started for me several times and I still got it. They just didnt say anything (I saw something or any other quotes)

By Vengeful Void on 30 Nov 2019 12:32

I did this 100% stealth from start to finish without touching a single human. music never changed and obviously no shots were fired...... Stupid achievement STILL didn't pop so wtfh?

By Jon McCloud on 12 Mar 2020 01:52

This achievement sucks. I saw a few youtube guides where the guy on the bridge leaves but he doesn't leave for me. Does anyone know if throwing cans voids this?

By raultheuncaring on 25 Apr 2020 03:03

I have just finished the game on IronMan mode. Is there a way to disable it so i can come back and do this achievement by save scumming? I cant find a way to disable it.

By PaddyW106 on 08 Jun 2020 17:24

Another broken cheevo ffs, fulfilled criteria 100% and didn’t pop. Bout time these developers have their bonuses revoked

By SPOOKYVILLE on 18 Jun 2020 23:14

I unlocked this on the first go. Maybe lowering the difficulty to Reader will make it easier.

By Stiltongrenade on 19 Jul 2020 07:13

Does anyone know if it counts if you quick load after being spotted?

By Zellodine on 01 Dec 2021 03:19

@Balarush Your comment works perfectly it takes a little skill but it works 100%

By Vaxarys on 12 Feb 2022 22:08

Any chance someone made a video of the despawn?

By FROSTBITE30 on 13 May 2022 17:21

its hard to find, if someone need a clip of this just dm me (on xbox).
I recommend using some meds while falling

By ZehDarkrai on 15 Apr 2023 17:06

I managed to despawn the enemies in the final camp using the cliff skip when I went 100% stealth throughout the whole mission. When I later ran through the mission with the purpose of recording the skip, it did not despawn the enemies. I am not sure why, but if anyone would like to try for themselves, here is the location: https://youtu.be/lwATYNKitcE

By Buff McRough on 20 Jun 2023 23:09

For anyone in 2024 trying to get this achievement and expanding on the previous comments. It seems that there is a trigger on/near the ladder after the initial cliff jump that causes enemies to spawn (Indicated by a whistling noise). There is a second cliff jump you can take next to the ladder and that seems to ensure no enemies spawn based on my testing. Video of it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy66qf-ExlE

By PilotTM on 25 Feb 2024 23:42

Yes, but there are really not that many monsters or beasts between the "human" areas anyway, apart from the sole a bunch of wolves who are really easy to sneak past and the Bear. You can fight and kill monsters but you are better off just sneaking past them because in some cases it might attract human enemies forcing you to reload a save. When you get to the sawmill and face the shrimp enemies you can both start killing and fighting them in the open without any reservations.

By Bermuda Polygon on 21 Feb 2019 03:17

If anyone is struggling with this, especially if they get stuck in a daytime scenario like myself, there's a sequence break I just discovered.
Before you even enter the church courtyard there's a sheer cliff with some small outcroppings. You can drop to these with relative safety from near the middle, skipping the bear fight and the spawn trigger, leaving the entire enemy camp empty for you to mosey on through at your own leisure.
When you arrive at the sawmill, enemies will populate as normal. It's relatively easy getting there unspotted, and this made the final camp stress-free.

By Balarush on 12 Sep 2021 23:25

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THEpaynexkiller

TrueAchievements

26 Feb 2019 01:09

For those having trouble on Ranger hardcore on the Boat Section of this level, here's a very useful video.

26 Feb 2019 01:09

3 Comments

very helpful ! thanks !

By AbstauberGER on 03 Aug 2019 14:24

Fantastic video, thanks! This achievement can still f*ck right off mind.

By Billargh on 21 Mar 2019 10:31

Do this BEFORE going for iron mode or ranger hardcore. I just finished the game 3 times and now I have to go for almost a fourth because I can't lower the difficulty in this mode, and just for this one achievement.

By Denik Fortes BR on 28 Jun 2020 02:12

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HellCreeper666

TrueAchievements

04 Sep 2020 03:09

Forest Child (Taiga full Stealth Walkthrough)

(Final Pirate Camp starts at approx. 11min.)

All Credit goes to MrReign

Hope it helps

04 Sep 2020 03:09

Scotty

XboxAchievements

The entire Taiga level can be beaten without ever fighting any of the human enemies, outside of cutscenes. To do this you must simply complete the level in full stealth. You will get a crossbow at the beginning of the level but you MUST NOT use it against any human enemies or you will void this achievement. If you're playing on any difficulty other than Ranger Hardcore and not playing in Iron Mode you can quick save the game via the pause menu, so make sure to utilise this to your advantage and quick save as often as you must, then reload any time you are spotted by an enemy.

Note that you must not harm any of the human enemies in this level if you wish to unlock "Alyosha" so you should attempt these achievements in conjunction with each other. See its description for more details.

mikem192

PlaystationTrophies

Attention - Although not missable, you will have to use Chapter select and replay a fair amount to get to this stage.

Mutants don't count towards this trophy, nor do the cutscenes including humans that you see during the level (bridge, trap, your bag, church). This sounds harder than it is and may hinder some collectibles during the Chapter but don't panic. You can always save, get the collectible and either reload if you are seen or use Chapter Select.

Always use Quick Save, take your time and move your way through the level. There are a few options on how to navigate your way through each camp area. The trophy will pop right at the end of the chapter. The last camp with human enemies will be way before this. Once you escape the last camp on the boat you're all clear. This is a great trophy to tie in with the good ending run as this is the third trophy event in regards to it. See Full Strength for more info.

Francais

stratege.ru

05 Mar 2019 13:15

This guide was translated automatically. Show original

Got it on Ranger Hardcore difficulty. The most difficult place is the camp in the swamps, since the moment of opening the gate and escaping by boat is pure hell. Pirates can even see you through cracks in the floor and the like. Also, the burning causes the lack of autosave before/after opening/opening the gate.
After ten attempts, I still managed to get through this place, maybe my video will help you too - Forest child / Child of the Forest - Ranger Hardcore / Ranger Hardcore

05 Mar 2019 13:15

7 Comments

If you go for the good ending and collect all the postcards and hidden notes, then I highly recommend postponing searching for them. Where the note lies, that’s where the enemy sits, and you can’t be seen. Simply complete the chapter without disturbing anyone, then restart the chapter again after finding all the finds.

By Dmitriyfunny1 on 05 Jun 2019 21:43

Does anyone know if it is possible to get a trophy through selecting chapters? because I can’t understand either I was noticed somewhere, or this trophy cannot be obtained through selecting chapters.
I answer to myself, you can get it by going through the chapter selection

By goldgshok on 02 Aug 2020 10:16

It's actually quite simple, especially on the lowest difficulty. Until they started shooting at you, you weren’t burned. And most importantly: you cannot kill or even stun anyone! The trophy description says "without attacking anyone"

By warriorkzx on 10 Jul 2021 16:46

Although it’s obvious, don’t forget that it’s night in the swamps when you need to swim in a boat: I poked around 20 times at dawn until I thought of running to sleep before nightfall
You can combine it with collecting notes: just save in front of the camps, shoot everyone with a crossbow and collect notes-postcards, roll back the save and crawl through the camp using stealth. At the same time, a trophy for killing with a crossbow will drop

By skylark on 24 Oct 2019 10:30

Receipt is possible even if pirates noticed you, but did not have time to raise the alarm (they did not start shooting), and you managed to sail away. They shouted after me: “Hey, who’s here? I see someone.” They gave me the trophy

By Wertuhka9119 on 19 Dec 2019 16:56

The most important thing is to make a manual save before and after each camp (or places where there are people) and absolutely not kill or stun a single person.
A bandit who is tied to a post can be saved from the very beginning. This does not affect receiving the trophy.
By the way, animals can be felled without problems (wolves, crabs, spiders and bears, naturally).
PS: you can get the trophy by playing only the “Taiga” chapter, you don’t have to go through everything again if you don’t have enough of this particular trophy for platinum. Trophy O'clock / Firelock, same situation.
Reviewed on PS4, 10/23/2022. The game version is 1.09, plus I have two DLS.

By atleticodesign on 23 Oct 2022 08:10

For those who, like me, complete their first playthrough on medium difficulty and collect items, everything is very easy. Here are my concerns and advice:

1) When you are met on the bridge in front of the first camp, this does not count as detection.
2) In the first camp, you can quietly pick up the note using stealth, no one will notice.
3) In general, I advise you to make a manual save before each of the four camps, in case the stealth fails. And do it in exactly this order, first collect all the items with a roar, and then load the save and go through in stealth.
4) If the enemies say: there is some kind of shadow there, and they go to check, but they didn’t find you, it means they didn’t notice. If alarming music started playing, but you were not detected, you were not noticed. If a bell, a drum sounds, or they start shooting at you, restart the save.
5) In the second camp, it is better to first collect notes noisily, because a lot of time is needed there for stealth, as in the third.
6) The fourth camp is generally easy. But in front of almost all camps there is a resting place; it is better to sleep until nightfall, so there is a better chance of passing in stealth.
7) Being caught in a net is not detection.
8) Drinking tea with the Admiral is not detection.
9) But if a fisherman notices you, then it seems like it will count as having discovered you. But there you can go to his hut, take a note, but don’t go to the pier to greet him.
10) At the beginning of the game, a bandit saved from a wolf, alive, does not count as detection.
11) The alchemist's laboratory is practically impassable in stealth. It’s better to save in front of it, pick up the note, and load again.
12) You can kill animals, monsters and bears.
13) Some of these points contradict other tips given here. But I took a risk, reassuring myself with the thought that if it didn’t work out, then I could speed up this level in half an hour. And I was right, the trophy fell out.
12. Good luck.

By Fanquery on 11 Jun 2021 22:43

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EvilXFiRe93

stratege.ru

19 Feb 2019 09:18

This guide was translated automatically. Show original

Just don’t catch anyone’s eye, if alarming music starts playing, load from the last save and start again. You cannot kill or even stun any people. You can kill monsters. You also catch the eye of some people during cutscenes in the story - this also does not affect the achievement.

19 Feb 2019 09:18

1 Comment

Video guide .

By TLGaiden45 on 17 Jun 2019 09:18