Recommended Free Tools
No. You can start with Metro 2039 without playing Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light or Metro Exodus. Deep Silver’s official FAQ calls it “a good jumping on point for new fans,” and identifies a new protagonist and a new cast. Earlier games are optional context, not prerequisites.
Play the older titles if you want the history of Artyom, a fuller understanding of the Moscow Metro universe and the small continuity details that returning players will recognize. The best route depends on whether you want to experience that story, learn its plot quickly or simply begin the new game.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Metro Redux - PlayStation 4 | $13.33 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Metro Redux - Nintendo Switch | $27.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
METRO EXODUS - Complete Edition (PS5) | $25.60 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Metro Redux (Nintendo Switch) | $29.68 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Metro Redux (Windows PC) | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What the official information tells us
A new entry designed for newcomers
Deep Silver describes Metro 2039 as a “brand new entry” with an original story from 4A Games, written in collaboration with Metro author Dmitry Glukhovsky. The publisher says the game has a new protagonist and a new cast of complex characters. That is the clearest reason a first-time player does not need to know the earlier campaigns before starting.
Metro 2039 is the fourth mainline game made by 4A Games. Xbox Wire lists the series sequence as Metro 2033 (2010), Metro: Last Light (2013), Metro Exodus (2019) and then Metro 2039. Being the fourth mainline entry establishes its place in the series, but it does not mean the previous three are mandatory homework.
#1 Best Overall
- Immerse yourself in the Moscow Metro - witness one of the most atmospheric worlds in gaming brought to life with stunning next-gen visuals at 60FPS
- Brave the horrors of the Russian apocalypse - equip your gasmask and an arsenal of hand-made weaponry as you face the threat of deadly mutants, human foes, and the terrifying environment itself
- Rebuilt and Remastered for next gen - with all previous DLC content included, new modes and features, and many gameplay improvements, this is the definitive version of the critically acclaimed series that fans and newcomers alike will enjoy
- Two campaigns, and all DLC included - Metro Redux includes two complete campaigns that combine to create one epic adventure. With 10 hours of bonus content, that means 30+ hours of solo FPS gameplay just on one play-through
- Two unique Play Styles : 'Spartan' and 'Survival' - approach the campaign as a slow burn Survival Horror , or tackle it with the combat skills of a Spartan Ranger in these two unique modes
Continuity is still part of the appeal
Starting fresh does not mean the setting has been reset. The new game returns to the Moscow Metro and retains recognizable series ingredients, including Nosalises and the survival-combat design associated with Metro. Xbox Wire also describes the creative direction as going “back to the tunnels and leaning into what makes Metro, Metro.” Those connections are useful atmosphere and rewarding callbacks rather than information you must memorize to follow the new plot.
The lead is not Artyom
Artyom is the protagonist of the previous trilogy. Xbox Wire describes The Stranger as the series’ first fully voiced lead protagonist, making the change in viewpoint explicit. Because Metro 2039 introduces a different central character, new players are not expected to arrive with Artyom’s personal history already understood.
What the earlier games cover
The publisher’s “Story so far” material gives the chronology below. It is enough to understand the broad shape of the older arc without turning the new game into a spoiler exercise.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteMetro 2033
The 2033 story follows Artyom, who was raised underground after the apocalypse. His mission takes him through the Moscow Metro and the ruined surface above it. This game establishes the setting’s isolated stations, the dangers outside the tunnels and the pressures that shape life after the catastrophe.
Rank #2
- Immerse yourself in the Moscow Metro - witness One of the most atmospheric worlds in gaming brought to life on Nintendo Switch
- Brave the horrors of the Russian Apocalypse - equip your gasmask and an arsenal of hand-made weaponry as you face the threat of deadly mutants, human foes, and the terrifying environment itself
- Two campaigns, and all DLC included - Metro Redux includes two complete campaigns that combine to create One epic solo adventure, plus a further 10 hours of bonus content
- Two unique play styles: 'spartan' And 'survival' - approach the campaign as a slow burn survival horror, or tackle it with the combat skills of a spartan ranger in these two unique modes
Metro: Last Light
Set in 2034, Last Light continues Artyom’s story while factional conflict grows around the D6 military facility. It develops the political and military tensions inside the Metro and shows how the consequences of the first game affect the people living there.
Metro Exodus
Set in 2036, Exodus follows Artyom and the Spartan Rangers as they leave the Moscow Metro for a journey across Russia. Its wider geography gives the trilogy’s final chapter a different scope while continuing Artyom’s personal arc and the group’s search for a future beyond the underground.
Which starting route fits you?
There is no single correct preparation plan. Choose according to whether you value immediate access to the new story, the complete Artyom arc, or a fast plot refresher.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Route | What you play or read | Story context | Artyom’s arc | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start with Metro 2039 | Only the new game | Context is introduced through its new cast and setting | No earlier arc required | Players mainly interested in the 2039 story |
| Play Metro Redux | Metro 2033 Redux, then Metro: Last Light Redux | The first two campaigns in definitive form | Covers the beginning and middle of Artyom’s story | Readers who want efficient, modernized background |
| Play the complete trilogy | Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, then Metro Exodus | The full pre-2039 mainline sequence | Experiences the entire Artyom-era arc | Players who want the series’ complete narrative journey |
| Use the publisher’s summaries | The official “Story so far” descriptions | Premise and chronology without three full playthroughs | Plot outline rather than gameplay experience | Players short on time or interested only in a refresher |
If you mainly want to play 2039
Start with Metro 2039. This route avoids delaying the game you actually want to play, and the publisher’s newcomer language indicates that its premise is meant to stand on its own. You may notice references, creatures or design choices that have a longer history, but recognizing them is optional background knowledge.
Rank #3
- Enhanced for PlayStation 5 - optimized for platform specific features including 60 FPS up to 4K resolution, Ray traced lighting and Dual sense haptic feedback support.
- Experience sandbox survival - flee the shattered ruins of Dead Moscow and follow a gripping story that links together classic Metro gameplay with huge, non-linear levels.
- Deadly combat and stealth - scavenge and craft in the field to customize your arsenal of hand-made weaponry, and engage human and mutant foes in thrilling tactical combat.
- Explore a hostile world - Embark on journey that spans an entire year through Spring, Summer and Autumn to the depths of nuclear Winter. Discover the Russian wilderness, brought to life with day/ night cycles and dynamic weather
If you want the core narrative with the least duplication
Choose Metro Redux, beginning with Metro 2033 Redux and continuing to Metro: Last Light Redux. Deep Silver’s “Story so far” page calls Metro Redux the ultimate double-game collection and identifies those two versions as the definitive editions of the first games. It is the most efficient catch-up purchase when you want to play the foundations of the series in a modernized package.
After those two games, decide whether Metro Exodus is worth adding. It is the third chapter of Artyom’s story and broadens the journey beyond the Metro, but it is not listed by the publisher as a requirement for understanding Metro 2039.
If you want every part of Artyom’s story
Play the three earlier mainline games in order: Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light and Metro Exodus. Release order and story order match the sequence supplied by Xbox Wire and the publisher’s summaries. This route gives you the most complete experience of the protagonist who led the previous trilogy before you meet The Stranger.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
If you only need the plot
Read Deep Silver’s official “Story so far” summaries. They cover Artyom’s underground upbringing, the 2034 conflict around D6 and the 2036 departure from Moscow. You will not get the tension, exploration or survival-combat experience of the games, but you can learn the chronology without committing to three campaigns.
Rank #4
- Two campaigns, and all DLC included - Metro Redux includes two complete campaigns that combine to create one epic solo adventure, plus a further 10 hours of bonus content. Two unique Play Styles and Ranger Mode add hours more replayability!
- Two unique Play Styles : 'Spartan' and 'Survival' - approach the campaign as a slow burn Survival Horror , or tackle it with the combat skills of a Spartan Ranger in these two unique modes
Answers to the questions new players usually ask
Do I need to play Metro 2033 before Metro 2039?
No. Metro 2033 is the beginning of Artyom’s earlier storyline, while Metro 2039 introduces The Stranger and a new cast. Play it first only if you want to experience how the Moscow Metro, its factions and its survival rules were established.
Should I play Metro Exodus first?
No. Exodus concludes the previous Artyom-led sequence and is set in 2036; it is not identified as a prerequisite for the new game. It is the right choice before 2039 when your goal is to complete the old protagonist’s journey, not when you simply want enough information to begin the new one.
Is Metro 2039 a direct sequel?
It is the fourth mainline 4A Games entry and remains in the established Metro universe, so continuity and familiar elements matter. At the same time, Deep Silver presents it as a new entry with an original story, a new protagonist and a new cast. The available official description therefore supports treating it as an accessible continuation of the universe rather than a chapter that depends on Artyom’s unresolved personal history.
Who is The Stranger?
The Stranger is the lead character of Metro 2039. Xbox Wire identifies this character as the first fully voiced lead protagonist in the series. The change gives newcomers a natural point of entry: you learn this character’s circumstances in the new game instead of needing to reconstruct Artyom’s past from three earlier campaigns.
Best Value
What will returning players recognize?
Veterans can expect links to the existing universe, a return to the Moscow Metro and recurring elements such as Nosalises. The survival-combat approach also remains part of the identity of the series. These details can make earlier knowledge rewarding, but familiarity is an enhancement rather than a condition of comprehension.
A practical preparation plan
- Decide what you want from the series. If your priority is the new story, begin with Metro 2039. If your priority is the old narrative, choose the trilogy route.
- Use the right order when playing older games. Follow Metro 2033, then Metro: Last Light, then Metro Exodus. This preserves both the release sequence and the story chronology established by the official material.
- Pick the compact package for the first two games. Metro Redux contains Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux, described by Deep Silver as the definitive versions of those titles.
- Add Exodus only if its wider journey interests you. It supplies the final part of Artyom’s pre-2039 arc, but it is optional preparation for the new protagonist’s story.
- Use the official summaries as a no-playthrough refresher. They are the fastest way to recover the premise and dates if you played years ago or do not want to revisit the campaigns.
Release information to keep separate from the play-order decision
Deep Silver’s 2026 FAQ currently lists Metro 2039 for February 4, 2027, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC through Steam, the Epic Games Store and Xbox on PC. That date and platform list are current publisher information and can change before launch, so treat them as a planning snapshot rather than part of the story requirement.
The series has a 16-year history according to Deep Silver’s 2026 FAQ. That long history explains why returning players may find more references and connective tissue, but the same FAQ explicitly frames 2039 as a jumping-on point. Series age should not be mistaken for an entry barrier.
Quick Recap
Decision checklist
- Choose 2039 now if you want the new protagonist, new cast and original story without delaying for older campaigns.
- Choose Metro Redux if you want hands-on context from the first two games in one definitive collection.
- Choose the full trilogy if completing Artyom’s story is more important than reaching 2039 quickly.
- Choose the official summaries if you need chronology and premise but not the earlier gameplay.
- Expect continuity, not required homework: the Moscow Metro, Nosalises and survival-combat traditions return, while the new lead provides a fresh narrative entry point.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
