The Best Metro Game, Ranked

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Dmitry Glukhovsky’s Metro series is set in a bleak, post-nuclear Russia. It follows Artyom’s journey from an ordinary resident of an underground station to a skilled Ranger. The games combine fast-paced shooting action with survival and psychological horror, creating a deeply immersive experience. Players will need to use stealth and strategy while facing intense battles and terrifying supernatural creatures.

Whether you loved the books or enjoy immersive, realistic shooters, this series delivers plenty of memorable moments, a captivating story, and explores big ideas like philosophy, religion, and politics. It’s accessible to both casual and dedicated gamers, which has helped it build a devoted fanbase over the last ten years.

4. Metro Awakening

A Highly Immersive & Terrifying VR Experience

Metro Awakening is the newest installment in the Metro series, and it stands out because it’s the first game that requires virtual reality. Beyond being a great technical accomplishment, the game beautifully recreates the settings, creatures, and overall feel of previous titles. The story is a prequel to Metro 2033, penned by the series’ creator, Dmitry Glukhovsky. However, this game doesn’t follow Artyom’s story; instead, you play as a doctor named Serdar who lives in the Metro stations.

Metro Awakening isn’t just a great VR game – it’s one of the most advanced since Half-Life: Alyx. It also deepens the game’s world, building on the themes of the occult and supernatural found in the original books. The main limitation is the technology of VR itself, but even with those constraints, it’s an innovative and worthwhile addition to the Metro series.

3. Metro Last Light

A Perfect Sequel Expanding On The First Game

Metro Last Light is a significant improvement over Metro 2033, and many fans consider it the best game in the series. However, it’s best experienced by those already familiar with the story. The game is set between the events of Metro 2033 and Metro Exodus, and follows Artyom, who has grown as a character and is now a member of the SPARTA Rangers.

As a fan, I think Metro Last Light really hits a sweet spot in the series. It’s got some truly unforgettable moments, and honestly, it just feels more natural to play than some of the other games. What I loved most was that a lot of the story happens out in the open, above ground, which meant more action. It’s a perfect middle ground – it takes the tighter, stealthier gameplay of Metro 2033 and smoothly transitions into the wider, more open exploration we see in Metro Exodus. It really connects those two experiences beautifully.

If you enjoy fast-paced, action-packed horror more than slower, suspenseful survival horror, you’ll probably prefer Last Light over Metro 2033. However, some people feel Last Light isn’t quite as original as the first game.

2. Metro Exodus

A Successful Pivot Into An Open-World Format

With Metro Exodus, the series took a big risk by moving to a more open-world design, leaving behind the close quarters and story-driven approach of the earlier games. Fortunately, this change worked brilliantly. It kept the dark and immersive feel of the original Metro games while introducing fresh characters, gameplay, and environments, ultimately making for a richer experience. The game’s pace dips a little in the middle, but overall, Metro Exodus delivers some of the most unforgettable moments in the entire series.

By the time of Metro Exodus, Artyom has grown into a leader, and the game really shines when it comes to character development and his connections with others. The diverse environments keep the gameplay interesting, offering players different ways to travel – from cars and boats to even ziplines. Despite these changes, Metro Exodus still keeps the core survival elements of the series, like managing gas mask filters and keeping Artyom’s flashlight powered.

Metro Exodus isn’t fully open-world, as only two segments really qualify.

1. Metro 2033

The Iconic Original Holds Up Today As A True Masterpiece

Inspired by Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novel, Metro 2033 is the game that launched the series, following Artyom’s journey from a simple resident of the VDNKh metro station to a seasoned survivor. It also establishes the important groups, cultures, and creatures you’ll encounter throughout the rest of the series. Despite being over ten years old—and the updated ‘Redux’ version mainly improving the graphics—the gameplay remains excellent, making it one of the best stealth-action shooters available.

Beyond its memorable characters and a truly compelling story – arguably the best in the series – Metro 2033 brilliantly captures the feeling of desperation within its world. The limited and less-advanced weaponry and equipment create genuinely tense and unpredictable encounters. The game also features multiple endings, adding to its replayability. Whether you’re new to the series or returning, there’s still much to explore and discover.

The Future of Metro: Metro 2039

A new Metro game, Metro 2039, is scheduled to launch in Winter 2026. The game is already generating a lot of buzz and could be one of the year’s top first-person shooters. The Metro series has grown significantly in popularity, and the anticipation for this new installment is high. It will be available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC and will continue the franchise’s tradition of focusing on compelling characters and exploring relevant social issues, including themes of propaganda and the impact of world events like the war in Ukraine.

In this game, you play as the Stranger, an outsider living beyond the city walls, tormented by terrifying visions that feel like they’re ripped from a horror game. Within the city, decades of war have ended under the rule of Hunter, who maintains control through fear. While claiming to protect people from monsters, Hunter is truly a dictator.

The Cost of Silence. The Horror of Tyranny. The Price of Freedom. – Team Metro

The reveal trailer focused more on creating a mood and look than showing actual gameplay, and it was genuinely creepy and immersive. Metro 2039 is expected to release before the year ends, and it might just be the best Metro game we’ve seen yet.

By Casey David Muir-Taylor

Metro 2039 Trailer and Gameplay Revealed

Metro 2039 Trailer and Gameplay Revealed

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2026-04-17 10:35