Rediscovering Metro: A Unique City Simulation Modpack for Minecraft
Minecraft has always been about more than just mining and crafting. Over the years, creative server owners and modpack creators have transformed the blocky world into thriving roleplay cities, bustling economies, and immersive simulations. One of the most intriguing examples is the Metro server, a project born from friendship, abandoned, and then miraculously revived. The Metro modpack, designed for the Squad Network, offers a completely different way to play—one where you leave your pickaxe behind and step into a living, breathing metropolis.
The Story Behind Metro
A long time ago, a group of friends came together to build a fabulous city. They poured hours into designing streets, erecting skyscrapers, and shaping a community where people could live, work, and socialize. Many friendships and even marriages blossomed within those digital walls. They actively invited others to move in, but the economy struggled, and eventually the friends drifted toward newer horizons. For years, Metro sat quiet.
Then word reached them that Metro was not only alive but thriving. The city they had left behind had grown on its own, attracting new residents and developing a vibrant culture. The original builders decided to come home and invest in the city once again. That spirit of rediscovery is what fuels the Metro modpack today.
A City Simulation Without Mining or Crafting
What makes the Metro pack so unusual is its complete removal of traditional Minecraft survival mechanics. There is no mining, and there is no crafting. Instead, the server operates as a full city simulation game. Players step into an existing urban landscape where everything they need must be bought, earned, or traded.
The pack includes a custom map that functions as a living economy. You can buy and sell condos, commercial properties, vehicles, furniture, and everyday goods. Jobs and mini-games provide income for your needs and investments. For Patreon supporters of the Squad server, the experience is tightly integrated with the server's roleplay systems. For everyone else, the pack includes a map so you can use the same mods to build your own economy from scratch. WorldEdit is included to help you give buildings and roads a facelift, making it easy to customize the city to your liking.
Mods That Bring the City to Life
With over sixty carefully selected mods, the Metro pack creates an incredibly detailed urban environment. While listing every single one would be overwhelming, here are some of the key categories and standout additions that shape the experience:
Transportation and Vehicles
- Immersive Vehicles (formerly Transport Simulator) – Drive cars, trucks, and buses through the city streets.
- Immersive Railroading and Amtrak+ Pack – Add realistic trains and rail systems to connect districts.
- BlackThorne Civilian Vehicles – A massive collection of cars, trucks, planes, and trains for MTS/IV.
- UNU Parts Pack – Extra vehicle customization options.
Furniture and Decoration
- MrCrayfish's Furniture Mod – Modern furniture to outfit apartments and offices.
- Decocraft2 and BiblioCraft – Thousands of decorative items for interior design.
- Garden Stuff – Landscaping tools for outdoor spaces.
Economy and Roleplay
- Economy Inc. – The backbone of the server's financial system, handling shops and transactions.
- Custom NPCs – Populate your city with interactive characters, quest givers, and traders.
- Minecraft Comes Alive (MCA) – Replace villagers with fully interactive humans, enabling relationships and family-building.
- CasinoCraft – Add gambling and entertainment venues to your city.
Building and Design Tools
- Chisels & Bits – Sculpt blocks at a micro scale for incredible detail.
- ArchitectureCraft – Create sloped roofs, arches, and other advanced shapes.
- WorldEdit – Rapidly modify terrain and structures.
- Fureniku's Roads – Realistic road blocks with markings and traffic elements.
Quality of Life and Tech
- JourneyMap – A minimap and fullscreen map for navigation.
- OpenComputers and ComputerCraft – Programmable computers for automation and fun.
- Security Craft – Protect your property with locks, cameras, and alarms.
- Inventory Tweaks and BetterFps – Smoother performance and inventory management.
All these mods work together to create a world where every street corner feels alive, every apartment can be personalized, and every player has a role to play.
Getting Your City Started
If you're not on the Squad Patreon server, the included map gives you a blank canvas to build your own economy. You can use WorldEdit to reshape the landscape, then fill it with NPCs, shops, and homes. The pack encourages you to design a city where players can take on jobs, purchase property, and interact in ways that go far beyond vanilla Minecraft.
Installing all these mods manually can be a headache, but modern launchers have made the process effortless. The foxygame.net launcher, for instance, offers a sleek interface where you can browse and install the Metro modpack directly from its menu—no file juggling required. It handles all the dependencies automatically, so you can jump straight into the city simulation without technical fuss.
A Revival Worth Celebrating
The Metro modpack is more than just a collection of mods; it's a testament to the enduring creativity of the Minecraft community. What started as a small group's dream has grown into a thriving city simulation that welcomes both old friends and new residents. Whether you're looking to roleplay as a business tycoon, a train conductor, or simply a citizen decorating your condo, Metro offers a fresh and deeply social way to experience the game. The city is alive again, and there's always room for one more neighbor.