Back in 2005, Dimitry Glukhovsky released his new science fiction novel dubbed Metro 2033. Starting from Russia, the novel managed to stir up conversations in most European countries, such as Poland, Germany, and Hungary.
Five years later, 4A Games announced a video game adaptation of the famous novel. Unlike other popular video game franchises, Metro is a relatively new one with only a few installments in the series.
Even though it is new, the series brings an impressive gameplay experience. It’s one of the reasons why the franchise received good feedback from the gaming community.
If you haven’t already tried the game, then you really need to. Not sure in which order you should proceed? Well, that is why we’re here. Let’s look at the best order of playing the increasingly popular Metro video game franchise.
Metro Games In Order (Release & Chronological)
Most of the time, there are two different orders in which you can play the game, namely release order and chronological order.
But in the case of Metro games, the release order is essentially the same as the chronological order, so there isn’t any cause for confusion when you start playing the titles in this franchise. So, let’s look at all the titles in the franchise and see what to expect from them.
1. Metro 2033 (2010)
4A Games released their first-ever Metro video game back in the year 2010. The game was called “Metro 2033,” and it was based on a novel of the same name.
As the name suggests, it’s the year 2033. There is an entire generation of people who are born and raised underground. Why are they underground? Well, it’s a result of a war. The surface is filled with mutated horrors.
You play Artyom, the main protagonist born before the war but raised underground. A terrible threat is coming for humankind, and it’s your mission to venture beyond the home station to save humankind. Having never wandered above, this is the first time you’ll be heading above, so brace yourself because you’re in for a not-so-good treat.
Even though the game is a 2010 title, we still have two endings – a good one and a bad one. It’s up to you to decide which conclusion you want. Through the array of decisions, the outcome will be determined!
2. Metro: Last Light (2013)
After three years of the original release, 4A Games released the second installment and officially made Metro a video game franchise.
Metro: Last Light is a direct continuation of the previous installment, and the game is based in 2034. Once again, you play as Artyom, who is now a full-fledged Spartan ranger. It looks like the character survived the conclusion of the first title.
In this game, the station cities of the Metro are locked in a struggle for the ultimate power. We’re talking about the military vaults of D6. To top things off, a civil war is also on the verge that could wipe the entire humanity, and it’s up to you what the fate of humanity is.
With Metro: Last Light, the developers changed the gameplay style a bit. Instead of survival, this installment now focuses on action and spectacle. If you’re coming straight from the first game, then you will experience the difference.
3. Metro: Redux (2014)
Metro: Redux is technically not a continuation of the franchise but a remake of the first two games – Metro 2033 & Metro: Last Light.
4A Games decided to remaster both titles, building them up from the ground in the latest generation of the 4A engine at that time while fixing and addressing all the criticisms that the games received. The remastered version featured improved graphics, new game modes, and significant challenges for you as a player.
Plus, this title was released for other gaming platforms as well. While both Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light were available for Windows and Xbox 360, Metro: Redux was available to play on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch!
4. Metro Exodus (2019)
Metro Exodus is the third installment in the Metro video game franchise. Released in 2019, it’s the best-looking Metro title available right now.
The Exodus further expands the storyline, and this time, we’re in the year 2035. Once again, Artyom is the main protagonist of the game, and he’s back, but this time with her partner, Anna, who is also a member of Spartan Rangers.
The game takes place in Russia, and Artyom, along with his comrades, heads out on a country-spanning trip to find out about other survivors. It looks like 4A Games realized that there is a need to keep continuing the survival elements.
Throughout the game, you’ll explore various regions, such as the bleak banks of the Bolga River, the Caspian Sea, Siberia, and whatnot. The environmental changes were taken with great light as they allowed players to explore areas.
Metro Video Games (Spin-offs)
When it comes to the Metro franchise, there are a few spin-offs that the developers have revealed over the last couple of years. Once again, the number of games remains on the lower side. Here are all the spin-offs in the Metro video game franchise.
1. Metro 2033 (VK)
- Release date: August 10, 2012
- Platform: Browser, iOS, Android
Metro 2033 (VK) is the browser game bringing the RPG element to the franchise. To play the game, all you need to do is create an account over at CIS social networking service Vkontakte. Soon after the browser version, the developers introduced the title to mobile platforms, namely Android and iOS.
In this title, you create your own character and can customize them the way you want. You need to complete various tasks to level up, and as you do, you can travel across the metro to see more significant rewards. The more you level up, the more challenging the opponents will get.
Overall, it’s a nice game, and you can try it out if you want. Once again, it’s a spin-off, and it doesn’t really add anything extra to the original storyline.
2. Metro 2033: Wars
- Release date: September 11, 2014
- Platform: Android, iOS, Windows Phone
Metro 2033: Wars is a turn-based open-world strategy game. In this game, you try to survive the post-nuclear Moscow, where the population lives under the city’s subway. Sounds familiar, right? The storyline for the title somewhat remains the same.
The mobile version also consists of survival aspects such as gathering resources, commandeering many Metro stations, and much more. Considering it’s the game launched in 2014 and that too on a mobile platform, the gameplay experience is quite good and addictive. The game doesn’t bring anything extra regarding the storyline, so even if you don’t check it out, there’s no loss.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, Metro is a relatively newer video game franchise with just three main installments. The reason is that 4A Games took a while to launch its installments. There was a three-year gap between the first two titles and six years between the Metro: Last Light and Metro Exodus.
That’s not a bad thing per se. We have already witnessed popular video game franchises going downhill because of too many titles in a shorter period. Well, 4A Games has managed to keep things the same way and, in fact, even better with the third installment.
That brings us to the conclusion of this article, where we featured all the Metro games in order of release date. If you like survival games with horror elements and action, do give these titles a try!
