of Dmitri Glukhovsky Metro The series takes place in the dark, apocalyptic setting of post-nuclear Russia, telling the story of Artyom as he goes from a mere tunnel dweller at his station to a fearsome ranger. Throughout the series, players can expect a mix of intense FPS action with elements of survival and psychological horror. The games are particularly known for being immersive in the FPS genre, combining stealth and strategy with crazy set-piece moments and battles against supernatural mutants.
For fans of the original novels or realistic first-person shooters in general, the series is sure to provide its fair share of memorable experiences with an engaging story and a wide range of themes spanning philosophy, religion, politics, and more. Most of the games can be enjoyed by both casual and hardcore gamers alike, which has earned the series a cult following since its inception over the past decade.
Updated by Mark Sammut on April 17, 2026: Metro 2039 has been revealed, and it should be out later this year. We added a section at the end of the article discussing the upcoming FPS game.
4
Metro Awakening
Highly immersive and terrifying VR experience
Metro Awakening It is the latest entry in the series, and is unique in the sense that it is the only game in the series that requires VR. In addition to being an extraordinary technical achievement, the game does an incredible job of replicating the environments, creatures, and environments of the original games. The story itself is a prequel Metro 2033 and was written by the original writer of the series, Dmitry Glukhovsky. Unlike the other games, however, it does not follow Artyom's journey, and instead follows a station doctor named Serdar.
Metro Awakening Writer Talks Gamers Immersed In VR
Game Rant talks to Metro series writer Dmitri Glukhovsky about his approach to immersive character writing in Metro Awakening.
Besides being a great VR experience, and arguably the most sophisticated VR game ever Half-Life: Alix, It meaningfully expands into the game world, exploring more themes of mysticism and the supernatural prevalent in the original novels. The only downside Metro Awakening These are the obstacles faced as a result of VR technology. However, it still pushes the boundaries and is a worthy entry in the series.
3
Metro Last Light
A perfect sequel expansion to the first game
Metro: Last Light
8/10
- issued
-
May 14, 2013
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Blood, intense violence, nudity, sexual content, strong language, use of drugs and alcohol
Metro Last Light improved on Metro 2033 In many ways. For some players, it's also considered the best game in the series, but as a standalone title, it's unlikely to make much sense to first-time players. Taking place among the events of Metro 2033 and Metro ExodusThe story follows Artyom as he becomes a more mature and established character and member of the SPARTA Rangers.
Metro Last Light Contains its fair share of memorable moments and has a more intuitive game design than almost any other title in the series. Most of the story takes place on the surface rather than in the tunnels, so the game has a more action-oriented theme than the psychological survival-horror elements found in other titles. Metro Last Light is a great bridge between the more limited stealth gameplay Metro 2033 and features more heavily on surface-level exploration Metro Exodus.
If you prefer action-horror to survival-horror, final light would be better than Metro 2033; However, it is a little less unique than its predecessor.
2
Metro Exodus
A successful pivot to an open-world format
Changing to an open world format, Metro Exodus It took a huge gamble by expanding beyond the limited environments and story-heavy focus of the original games. However, it pulled off very well and maintained the atmosphere of the original games while adding new elements, characters, and mechanics, all of which enhanced the experience. The game's pacing slows down somewhat during the second act, but other than that, it produces some of the most memorable moments of the entire series.
With more of a senior leadership role by the time of Artyom Metro ExodusIt is the best game in the series when it comes to the development of its characters and Artyom's relationship with them. Diverse environments keep gameplay dynamic, as players can use cars, boats, and even ziplines to make their way around the map. Metro Exodus It still retains many of the survival elements present in other games, such as the need for a gas mask filter and charging Artyom's little electric light.
1
Metro 2033
The iconic original is held up today as a true masterpiece
Metro 2033
- issued
-
March 16, 2010
- ESRB
-
M // Blood, sexual themes, strong language, drug use, violence
Based on the original novel by Dmitri Glukhovsky, Metro 2033 It's a series-defining title that tells the story of Artyom's evolution from a lone tunnel dweller to a battle-hardened traveler at VDNKh. The game also introduces key factions, cultures, and creatures that remain present throughout much of the series. Considering the game was originally released over a decade ago, and the Redux version only changes the scenery, the gameplay holds up incredibly well and is one of the best stealth shooters around.
On top of the many great moments, characters, and perhaps the best storyline of the series, Metro 2033 The game also perfectly portrays the frustration of the people living in the world. Guns and equipment are not as advanced as in later games, which can lead to extremely tense situations with uncertain outcomes. It is possible to have many different endings even if it is not clearly mentioned. There's still a lot to discover, and that applies to both new and returning players.
The Future of Metro: Metro 2039
a new one Metro The game is on the horizon, with 4A Games targeting a Winter 2026 release. Creating quite a bit of excitement for its unveiling, Metro 2039 It has the potential to be one of the best first-person shooters of the year, if not outright its best. The series has evolved from humble beginnings that only drew attention to the countdown clocks that hyped the world in preparation for the next game's performance. Coming to Xbox, PlayStation and PC, Metro 2039 The story continues the franchise's history of telling character-driven personal stories while incorporating social themes such as propaganda and the impact of current events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As the Stranger, players pursue the masks of the people who live outside the city and the remaining survivors, and are haunted by nightmares torn from the horror game. For the remaining humans, decades of conflict have subsided under the rule of a single leader named Hunter. When it comes to surface-level warfare against otherworldly creatures using fear to keep everyone under control, the hunter is effectively a dictator.
The cost of silence. The Tragedy of Tyranny. The price of freedom. – Team Metro
While primarily cinematic rather than gameplay, the trailer's tone and visuals were deeply unsettling and atmospheric. Metro 2039 Should be out by the end of the year, and who knows, it might be the biggest yet Metro Ever play?
