The Complete List of Metro Games in Chronological & Release Order

4A Games’ Metro series is the stealthy first-person shooter/survival horror hybrid series that takes place in post-apocalyptic Moscow. Taking inspiration from Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novel of the same name, the Metro series envisions a world ravaged by a nuclear winter following an apocalyptic conflict. Civilization now resides underground while mutant abominations roam the surface. In addition to spawning multiple game releases based on the source material, the Metro universe also has a plethora of novels and other print adaptations to flesh out the story.

Ukranian developer 4A Games have the honor of having produced all of the Metro games, with Metro 2033 serving as the studio’s debut title. Several key members of the team had previous experience working on S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, which shares a similar setting and gameplay elements. The series is widely praised for the way that it blends first-person shooting and stealth, along with a healthy dose of tension and horror in each game’s tonality. Similar to the Fallout series, players must also manage their radiation levels when venturing out to the surface.

Metro 2033 (2010)

• Released for Windows PC, Xbox 360, Linux, and Mac OS. Remastered for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

As the first game in the series, Metro 2033 is an excellent proof-of-concept and introduction to the franchise. Taking inspiration from the novel of the same name, players assume the role of Artyom. A 24-year-old survivor living in the subway tunnels beneath Moscow, Artyom agrees to investigate the mutant attacks occurring at other stations. The mutants, known as Dark Ones, have been increasing and simultaneously becoming more aggressive. Artyom eventually makes his way to Moscow, facing a difficult choice that will affect the rest of civilization.

Despite being a first-person shooter, Metro 2033 has a heavy survival-horror influence. Ammunition and supplies are scarce, with stealth and avoiding combat often more desirable alternatives. Additionally, the Dark Ones are more than just nuclear-irradiated mutants. They exhibit supernatural psychic powers and cause vivid hallucinations. The choices that the player makes in the game have an impact on both the ending and on interactions with NPCs.

Metro: Last Light (2013)

• Released for Windows PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Linux, and Mac OS. Remastered for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

Arriving just 3 years after the first game in the series is the sequel, Metro: Last Light. Instead of taking inspiration from one of the other novels in the Metro series, Last Light continues the adaptation of the Metro 2033 novel as its source material. The canonical ending of Metro 2033 sees Artyom use a guided missile system to destroy the Dark Ones. Picking up one year later in 2034, Last Light brings players back into the shoes of Artyom, who is now a full-fledged Ranger. The Dark Ones are now mostly gone, with few stragglers remaining. Instead, the neo-Nazi group the Fourth Reich serve as primary antagonists.

Gameplay in Metro: Last Light continues much of what is present in Metro 2033. The game is still a first-person shooter that relies heavily on stealth and survival horror elements. Additionally, players’ choices still impact a “Karma” meter that affects both NPC interactions and the game’s ending. Last Light also continues the use of supernatural elements from the first game, with players needing to contend with hallucinations and paranormal activity in the post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Metro Exodus (2019)

• Released for Windows PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Linux, and Mac OS

Continuing the trend of Metro: Last Light before it, Metro Exodus arrived in 2019 as a cross-gen release for PS4 and Xbox One, with next gen-versions arriving at launch the next year. Exodus is currently the final game in the Metro series and concludes Artyom’s tale, for now at least. While Exodus features linear levels like the previous games in the series, it is the first Metro game to introduce larger open-world style sections. Gameplay is still first-person shooting with a healthy stealth influence but abandons the supernatural elements of its predecessors for a more grounded tale.

As its name implies, Exodus sees Artyom leave the confines of Russia for a trek that takes him to The Republic of Kazakhstan. Similar to previous games in the series, the choices that Artyom makes along the way impact his relationships with NPCs as well as the game’s ending. The game has two DLC expansions as well as a sequel currently in development. While Exodus is currently the final game in a Metro trilogy, a follow-up is coming down the pike.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Box art for each of the Metro games.