The Metro games came out in this order: Metro 2033 (2010), Metro: Last Light (2013), Metro Redux (2014), Metro Exodus (2019), the VR spin-off Metro Awakening (2024) and Metro 2039, which launches on 4 February 2027 according to 4A Games and Deep Silver as of 13 November 2026. In story order, Awakening comes first because it is set in 2028. Below you will find both orders, whether to pick Redux or the originals, how the books by Dmitry Glukhovsky fit in and whether you need any of it before Metro 2039. No story spoilers here.
Quick answer: release order
| Game | Released | Where to play today |
|---|---|---|
| Metro 2033 | 2010 (Steam: 16 March 2010) | Original on GOG since 14 May 2026; remastered as Metro 2033 Redux |
| Metro: Last Light | 2013 | Complete Edition on GOG since 14 May 2026; remastered as Last Light Redux |
| Metro Redux (2033 Redux + Last Light Redux) | 2014 (Steam: 27 August 2014) | Steam, Epic, GOG, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series |
| Metro Exodus | 2019 (Steam: 14 February 2020) | Steam |
| Metro Awakening (VR only) | 2024 (Steam: 7 November 2024) | Steam (VR) |
| Metro 2039 | 4 February 2027 (according to 4A Games and Deep Silver as of 13 November 2026) | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam, Epic, Xbox on PC) |
Metro 2033 was developed by 4A Games and today it is published by Deep Silver. Metro Exodus first came out in 2019 and only reached Steam on 14 February 2020, which is why you will see two dates for it. Metro Awakening was made by a different studio, Vertigo Games.
Story order: Awakening (2028) to Metro 2039 (2039)
The in-game years run like this:
- Metro Awakening – 2028
- Metro 2033 – 2033
- Metro: Last Light – 2034
- Metro Exodus – 2036
- Metro 2039 – 2039
Metro 2033, Last Light and Exodus follow Artyom, who was born just before the war and grew up underground. Metro 2039 introduces a new protagonist, the Stranger, and is set six years after Metro 2033. More about the new game is in our Metro 2039 overview.
Redux or original? The 2014 remasters and the 2026 next-gen update
In 2014, 4A released Metro Redux: Metro 2033 Redux and Metro Last Light Redux, both rebuilt in a newer version of the 4A Engine. Redux is also the version Deep Silver presents on its official Metro 2039 story page.
In 2026 Redux got another upgrade. The Metro Redux Next-Gen Update is free for owners of 2033 Redux and Last Light Redux. It arrived on PC on 22 October 2026 and on consoles on 29 October 2026. It adds native versions for PS5, PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X|S, 4K textures and DLSS on PC. On consoles you get 4K at 60 FPS or upscaled 4K at 120 FPS.
The originals have not disappeared. Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light Complete Edition have been available on GOG since 14 May 2026, if you want to play them as they were.
If you have PlayStation Plus, check the current catalogue for Metro Redux; the September 2026 additions are in our PS Plus September article.
Metro Awakening: the VR-only prequel
Metro Awakening is a VR-only spin-off from Vertigo Games, released on Steam on 7 November 2024. It is set in 2028, five years before Metro 2033, and follows Doctor Serdar. It is an origins story from Metro creator Dmitry Glukhovsky.
You need a VR headset to play it. It is the earliest point in the timeline, but it is not required for the main games.
The books: Metro 2033, 2034, 2035
Dmitry Glukhovsky’s main trilogy goes in this order:
- Metro 2033 – began appearing in 2002. Artyom from VDNKh station has to reach Polis and warn the Metro.
- Metro 2034 – a pandemic of an unknown disease, with a girl named Sasha as the main character.
- Metro 2035 – Artyom tries to lead the survivors back to the surface and searches for signals from other survivors.
The games and books are not one-to-one adaptations. According to Deep Silver, the story of Metro Exodus continues from the games Metro 2033 and Last Light and crosses over with the novels Metro 2033, 2034 and 2035; it was created in collaboration with Glukhovsky. Glukhovsky is the creator of the wider Metro universe, which includes 4A’s games.
Metro 2039 is not based on any particular book. Its story is original, written by 4A Games in collaboration with Glukhovsky.
Do you need to play them before Metro 2039?
No. The official FAQ calls Metro 2039 a good starting point for newcomers: a new protagonist and new characters, while veterans will appreciate the ties to the existing world.
If you want the background anyway, Deep Silver recommends the story so far in this order: Metro 2033, Last Light, Exodus. If you don’t have time to play three games, our story recap covers it in a few minutes, with spoilers. How the endings were decided is explained in our endings guide.
Where to play today
- Steam – Metro 2033 Redux, Last Light Redux, Metro Exodus and Metro Awakening (VR).
- Epic Games Store – Metro Redux.
- GOG – Metro Redux, plus the original Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light Complete Edition since 14 May 2026.
- PlayStation – Metro Redux on PS4 and PS5, with native PS5 versions since the next-gen update.
- Xbox – Metro Redux on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, with native Series X|S versions since the next-gen update.
Metro 2039 itself will be on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. The exact launch time is in our release date guide.
Join our Discord and tell us where you started with Metro: GamersTogether Discord.
FAQ
In release order: Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light and Metro Exodus. Metro Awakening is a VR-only prequel and optional. Metro 2039 follows on 4 February 2027 according to 4A Games and Deep Silver as of 13 November 2026.
No. According to the official FAQ, Metro 2039 is a good starting point for newcomers with a new protagonist and new characters.
Redux are the 2014 remasters rebuilt in a newer 4A Engine and since October 2026 they have native PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions. The originals are on GOG if you prefer them.
Metro 2033, Metro 2034 and Metro 2035, all by Dmitry Glukhovsky. Metro 2039 is not based on any of them.
In 2028, five years before Metro 2033. It is a VR-only game from Vertigo Games.
Information verified on 13 November 2026. We will update this article once Metro 2039 launches and when its Story Expansion DLC gets a date. All guides are in our Metro 2039 section.