Based on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s Metro book series, the Metro video games immerse players in a post-apocalyptic Moscow metro system, where humanity’s survivors cling to life. The protagonist, Artyom, navigates treacherous tunnels and ravaged surfaces, facing mutants, bandits, and haunting environments. Known for their gripping narratives, survival mechanics, and chilling atmosphere, these games are standout examples of post-apocalyptic storytelling. Below is a guide to all Metro games in chronological order, detailing their stories, gameplay, and significance.
Metro Games in Chronological Order
Metro 2033 (2010)
- Developer: 4A Games
- Publisher: THQ
- Genre: First-Person Shooter/Survival Horror
- Setting: Post-apocalyptic Moscow, primarily in the metro system, with brief surface excursions devastated by nuclear war.
Story: Artyom, raised in the underground station Exhibition, ventures through the metro to seek help against mutants threatening his home. He faces horrors like mutated creatures, bandits, and eerie tunnel phenomena.
Gameplay: Emphasizes survival with resource management (e.g., ammo, gas mask filters). The game blends stealth, combat, and exploration in a linear, story-driven experience.
Significance: The first game introduces the Metro universe, setting the tone with its atmospheric horror and narrative depth.
Metro: Last Light (2013)
- Developer: 4A Games
- Publisher: Deep Silver
- Genre: First-Person Shooter/Survival Horror
- Setting: Continues in Moscow’s metro system, one year after Metro 2033.
Story: Artyom, now a Ranger, protects his station while uncovering threats tied to the metro’s factions and a mysterious entity. The narrative expands with side quests and moral choices.
Gameplay: Builds on Metro 2033 with improved mechanics, including weapon customization (e.g., sights, silencers) and refined stealth. The “Chronicles Pack” DLC adds three missions deepening the lore.
Significance: A commercial hit, surpassing Metro 2033’s lifetime U.S. retail sales in its first week. It’s praised for its refined gameplay and immersive world.
Read More: Google reportedly pausing Kirkland Urban office buildout in Seattle area
Metro: Redux (2014)
- Developer: 4A Games
- Publisher: Deep Silver
- Genre: First-Person Shooter/Survival Horror
- Description: A remastered collection of Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light, not a new story but a polished package.
Enhancements: Features upgraded visuals, improved AI, enhanced combat, and higher resolution support. Introduces “Spartan” and “Survival” modes, with Survival mode (previously in the Ranger Pack DLC) removing HUD elements, increasing damage, and reducing ammo for greater immersion.
Significance: Critics lauded Redux as a definitive edition, offering a cohesive entry point for new players with its refined visuals and challenging gameplay.
Metro: Exodus (2019)
- Developer: 4A Games
- Publisher: Deep Silver
- Genre: First-Person Shooter/Survival Horror
- Setting: Expands beyond Moscow’s metro to diverse, open-world-like regions across Russia, set one year after Metro: Last Light.
- Story: Artyom and his allies board the Aurora locomotive, escaping Moscow to search for a new home in Russia’s wastelands. They face mutants, bandits, and hostile cults across varied landscapes.
- Gameplay: Shifts to semi-open-world environments with larger levels, maintaining survival elements like resource scavenging and crafting. The game retains the series’ signature atmosphere and narrative focus.
- Significance: Released after delays from 2018 to 2019, Exodus earned praise for its visuals, story, and open-world transition. It sold over 200,000 copies on Steam in its first week and received nominations for Game of the Year and Best Storytelling in 2019.
Do You Need to Play the Metro Games in Order?
The Metro series follows a linear storyline, so playing in chronological order (Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, Metro: Exodus) is recommended for the fullest narrative experience, especially if unfamiliar with Glukhovsky’s books. Each game builds on Artyom’s journey and the metro’s lore. However, each title is self-contained enough to enjoy independently, with Metro: Exodus often cited as the most polished and accessible due to its refined mechanics and expansive world.
Is Metro 4 Coming?
In 2019, 4A Games confirmed development of a new Metro game for Gen 9 consoles and PC, featuring an overhauled engine and renderer. The title will prioritize single-player storytelling, consistent with the series, while introducing a multiplayer mode designed to fit the Metro universe. No release date or further details are available as of July 2025, but anticipation remains high.
Final Thoughts
The Metro series offers a haunting, immersive dive into a post-apocalyptic world, blending survival horror with rich storytelling. Whether you’re navigating the claustrophobic tunnels of Metro 2033 or the vast wastelands of Exodus, each game delivers a unique experience. For newcomers, Metro: Redux is an excellent starting point, while Exodus shines as the series’
