Metro 2033 (video game)

Metro 2033
Developer(s)4A Games
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Andrew Prokhorov
Designer(s)Viacheslav Aristov
Programmer(s)
  • Oles Shyshkovstov
  • Alexander Maximchuk
  • Alexei Buinitskiy
Artist(s)Andrey Tkachenko
Writer(s)
Composer(s)
  • Alexei Omelchuk
  • Georgiy Beloglazov
SeriesMetro
Engine4A Engine
Platform(s)
Release
16 March 2010
  • Windows, Xbox 360
    • NA: 16 March 2010
    • AU: 18 March 2010
    • EU: 19 March 2010
    PlayStation 4, Xbox One
    • NA: 26 August 2014
    • EU: 29 August 2014
    • AU: 4 September 2014
    Linux
    • WW: 11 December 2014
    OS X
    • WW: 14 April 2015
    Nintendo Switch
    • WW: 28 February 2020
    Stadia
    • WW: 23 June 2020
Genre(s)First-person shooter, survival horror
Mode(s)Single-player

Metro 2033 is a 2010 first-person shooter survival horror video game developed by 4A Games and published by THQ. The story is based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novel of the same name, where survivors of a nuclear war have taken refuge in the Metro tunnels of Moscow. Players control Artyom, a man who must save his home station from the dangers lurking within the Metro. In the game, players encounter human and mutant enemies, who can be killed with a variety of firearms. Players must also wear a gas mask to explore areas covered in fallout radiation, both underground and on the surface.

Metro 2033 was the debut title for 4A Games, whose founders had experience working on S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl at GSC Game World. Glukhovsky chose 4A Games to adapt his novel due to the studio's location in Ukraine, and their expertise in developing first-person shooters. Glukhovsky gave the studio a lot of creative freedom. 4A Games focused their efforts on storytelling and atmosphere, intentionally avoiding any multiplayer gameplay to achieve their goal. The game was powered by the studio's own proprietary 4A Engine. It was first announced in 2006 as Metro 2033: The Last Refuge.

The game was released in March 2010 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360. Critics gave the game positive reviews, with praise for its horror elements, detailed environments, and interesting plot. However, the game was also criticized for its bugs and artificial intelligence. Metro 2033 was profitable for THQ, selling more than 1.5 million copies by June 2012, though the publisher felt that their marketing efforts were rushed. A sequel titled Metro: Last Light was released in 2013, with Deep Silver acquiring the publishing rights from THQ after their bankruptcy. A remastered version titled Metro 2033 Redux was released in 2014 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The remastered version was also included as part of a compilation titled Metro Redux containing both Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux. A third installment, Metro Exodus, was released in 2019.