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{{short description|2010 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox video game {{Infobox video game
| title = Metro 2033 | title = Metro 2033
| image = ] | image = Metro 2033 Game Cover.jpg
| developer = ] | developer = ]
| publisher = ]<br /> ] <small>(Redux)</small> | publisher = {{ubl|]|] (''Redux'')}}
| director = Andrew Prohorov | director = Andrew Prokhorov
| designer = Vyacheslav Aristov | designer = Viacheslav Aristov
| programmer = {{Unbulleted list|Oles Shyshkovstov|Alexander Maximchuk|Alexei Buinitskiy}}
| artist = Andrey Tkachenko
| artist = Andrey Tkachenko
| writer = ] <br /> Andrew Prohorov <br /> Vyacheslav Aristov
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|]|Andrew Prokhorov|Viacheslav Aristov}}
| composer = Alexey Omelchuk
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|Alexei Omelchuk|Georgiy Beloglazov}}
| series = '']''
| series = '']''
| engine = ] with ] and ]
| engine = ]
| platforms = ]<br />]<br />] <br> ]<br> ]<br> ]
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]}}
| released = '''PC, Xbox 360'''<br/>{{vgrelease new|NA|March 16, 2010|AU|March 18, 2010|EU|March 19, 2010<ref name="drdcntrl"/><ref name="metro2033outnow"/>|JP|May 13, 2010 <small>(X360)</small>|JP|June 25, 2010 <small>(PC)</small>}}'''PS4, Xbox One'''{{Video game release|NA=August 26, 2014|EU=August 29, 2014<ref name="ign.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/24/metro-redux-release-date-announced |title=Metro: Redux release date announced |publisher=ign.com |date=2014-06-24 |accessdate=2014-08-07}}</ref>}}'''Linux'''{{Video game release|WW=December 11, 2014<ref name="linuxplatform">{{cite web | url=http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTg2MDI | title=Metro Redux Games Launch For Linux | publisher=Phoronix | date=11 December 2014 | accessdate=14 December 2014 | last=Larabel | first=Michael}}</ref>}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|16 March 2010}}|'''Windows''', '''Xbox 360'''{{Video game release|NA|16 March 2010|AU|18 March 2010|EU|19 March 2010}}'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''{{Video game release|NA|26 August 2014|EU|29 August 2014|AU|4 September 2014}}'''Linux'''{{Video game release|WW|11 December 2014}}'''OS X'''{{Video game release|WW|14 April 2015}}'''Nintendo Switch'''{{Video game release|WW|28 February 2020}}'''Stadia'''{{Video game release|WW|23 June 2020}}}}
| genre = ], ]
| genre = ], ]
| modes = ]
| modes = ]
| media = ], ]
}} }}
{{see also|Metro 2033 (disambiguation)}}


'''''Metro 2033''''' is a 2010 ] ] video game developed by ] and published by ]. The story is based on ]'s ], where survivors of a ] have taken refuge in the ] tunnels of ]. 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 ] to explore areas covered in nuclear radiation, both underground and on the surface.
'''''Metro 2033''''' is a ] ] video game, based on the novel '']'' by Russian author ]. ''Metro 2033'' was developed by ] in Ukraine, and was released on ] and ] in March 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091022005262/en/THQ-Unveils-Person-Shooter-Metro-2033TM |title=THQ Unveils First Person-Shooter Metro 2033 |date=22 October 2009 |agency=Business Wire |publisher=THQ |accessdate=2010-01-09 }}</ref>


''Metro 2033'' was the debut title for 4A Games, whose founders had experience working on '']'' at ]. 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 ] gameplay to achieve their goal. The game was powered by the studio's own proprietary ]. It was first announced in 2006 as ''Metro 2033: The Last Refuge''.
In ''Metro 2033'', the player controls Artyom as he moves through the ruins of post-nuclear-apocalyptic Russia. The player uses guns of both real and fictitious designs to kill mutants and hostile survivors. Most of the game takes place within the Metro system, although Artyom does venture above ground on rare occasions.


The game was released in March 2010 for ] and ]. 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 ]. ''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 '']'' was released in 2013, with ] acquiring the publishing rights from THQ after their bankruptcy. A remastered version titled '''''Metro 2033 Redux''''' was released in 2014 for ], ] and ]. 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 instalment, '']'', was released in 2019.
''Metro 2033'' received positive reviews: it was praised for its horror elements, detailed environments and appealing plot, but it was criticized for its buggy artificial intelligence and its many graphical issues.

A sequel, '']'' was released in May 2013.<ref name="Metro: Last Light">{{cite web|url=http://www.enterthemetro.com/|title=Metro: Last Light Homepage|date=January 25, 2013|accessdate=March 2, 2013}}</ref> On August 26, 2014, a compilation of both titles was released for ], ], and ]. On PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, this remake was entitled ''Metro Redux''. On ], ], ] and ], a release entitled as ''Metro Redux Bundle'' includes both this game and '']''.


==Gameplay== ==Gameplay==
]
The game is played from the perspective of Artyom, the player-character. The story takes place in ] ], mostly inside the ], but occasionally missions bring the player above ground.


''Metro 2033'' is a ] video game.<ref name="IGN Review"/> It is predominantly set within the tunnels of the ], though some sections take place on the surface, in the ruins of ].<ref name="KillScreen">{{cite web|last=Muncy|first=Jake|url=https://killscreen.com/articles/metro-2033-and-poetics-urban-agoraphobia/|title=Metro 2033 And The Poetics Of Urban Agoraphobia|work=]|date=16 January 2015|access-date=14 July 2016|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816072957/https://killscreen.com/articles/metro-2033-and-poetics-urban-agoraphobia/|url-status=live}}</ref> The story is told through a linear ] campaign,<ref name="destructrev"/> and important plot moments are shown during ]s.<ref name="The Guardian Review">{{cite web|last=Bandini|first=Nicky|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/mar/26/metro-2033-pc-xbox-review|title=Metro 2033|work=]|date=26 March 2010|access-date=15 July 2016|archive-date=26 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826002219/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/mar/26/metro-2033-pc-xbox-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
As a ], ''Metro 2033'' features a variety of firearms (some fictional and some based on real weapons) which the player will use in combat. Combat alternates between the player fighting mutants (mutated animals) and the player fighting hostile humans. Mutants do not possess weapons and tend to physically attack the player in swarms, while humans fight with the same firearms available to the player. The game features recharging health rather than a traditional ] system—if the player avoids taking damage for a period of time, health will slowly recharge. The player can speed up this process by using a stim from a medkit, which will almost instantly heal the player to full health. When the player is severely injured, it may take over twenty seconds to return to full health. In any difficulty above " Hardcore" health does not regenerate.


The human and mutant enemies can be killed with a variety of firearms. The game features traditional guns like a ], ]s and ]s, as well as more inventive weapons like a pneumatic crossbow.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> In firefights, human enemies take cover and ] the player, while mutant enemies stay in the open and try to bite them.<ref name="GB Rev"/> Alternatively, the player can employ ] to evade their enemies or kill them silently.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/on-rails-hands-on-with-metro-2033|title=On Rails: Hands-On With Metro 2033|first=Alec|last=Meer|website=]|date=4 February 2010|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501063342/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/on-rails-hands-on-with-metro-2033|url-status=live}}</ref> This can be achieved by using a throwing knife to kill an enemy from afar, or shooting an enemy with a ] weapon.<ref name="EuroGRev"/> The player can recover ] by waiting for it to regenerate, or by using a med-kit to heal themselves immediately.<ref name="destructrev"/> The game features a minimalistic ] (HUD). Gameplay information is presented to the player via audio and visual cues. For instance, players must inspect their weapons to see if they are about to run out of ammunition and therefore have to reload.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/who-needs-a-hud-metro-last-light-and-the-return-to-realism/|title=Who needs a HUD? Metro: Last Light and the return to realism|first=Timothy|last=J. Seppala|work=]|date=16 July 2013|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-date=10 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710075138/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/who-needs-a-hud-metro-last-light-and-the-return-to-realism/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the post-apocalyptic environment, ammunition is a rare and essential commodity. Pre-apocalypse military-grade ] ammunition is used as currency; to avoid "shooting money", the player can also use lower quality bullets made within the Metros, which do less damage. Due to the scarcity of ammunition, a crucial aspect of gameplay is scavenging. The player can loot corpses and the environment for spare ammunition, as well as weapons and items. The military-grade ammo can be used to purchase other ammunition, weapons, and items within most of the Metro stations, albeit at high prices.


Since the game has a large ] focus, the player often has little ammunition, and must scavenge for supplies from caches or dead bodies.<ref name="destructrev"/> An essential supply is pre-war ] ammunition (referred to in the game as "military grade ammunition"), which is also the main currency in the tunnels.<ref name="destructrev"/> This ammunition can be traded for weapons and upgrades, or used directly as stronger bullets than other scavenged ammunition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/24/5-reasons-to-have-metro-2033-on-your-radar-2|title=5 Reasons to Have Metro 2033 on Your Radar|first=Levi|last=Buchanan|work=]|date=24 February 2010|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501055800/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/24/5-reasons-to-have-metro-2033-on-your-radar-2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GIRev"/> As most of the tunnels feature little to no light, the player can use a flashlight to explore dark areas.<ref name="destructrev"/> However, the flashlight needs to be charged with a battery charger in order to stay effective.<ref name="return of horror"/> The player must also use a gas mask to explore areas affected by ], both underground and on the surface.<ref name="EuroGRev"/> The gas mask can be damaged in combat, which forces the player to find a replacement.<ref name="GB Rev"/> The player's survival also depends on constantly replacing their air filter,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/04/exploring-the-depths-of-metro-2033|title=Exploring the Depths of Metro 2033|first=Nick|last=Kolan|work=]|date=5 February 2010|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501063344/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/04/exploring-the-depths-of-metro-2033|url-status=live}}</ref> which they can monitor by inspecting Artyom's wristwatch.<ref name="return of horror">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/metro-2033-the-return-of-proper-survival-horror/|title=Metro 2033: The return of 'proper' survival horror?|first=David|last=Houghton|work=]|date=1 December 2009|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501065716/https://www.gamesradar.com/metro-2033-the-return-of-proper-survival-horror/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The game's locations reflect the dark atmosphere of real metro tunnels, with added survival horror elements. Strange phenomena and noises are frequent, and most of the time the player has to rely only on the flashlight (and sometimes, the ]) to navigate in otherwise total darkness. Even more lethal is the surface, as it is severely irradiated and a gas mask must be worn at all times due to the toxic air.<ref>{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> Often, locations have an intricate layout, and the game lacks any form of map, leaving the player to try to find their objectives with only a compass.


Throughout the game, there are certain moral choices that can be made. If the player is compassionate to the people living in the tunnels, such as giving the homeless some military grade ammunition, they may be able to watch a different cutscene at the end of the game. These moral choices are never explicitly mentioned, and it is possible to play through the game without knowing of their presence.<ref name="Eurogamer Retrospective">{{cite web|last=Stafford|first=Patrick|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-03-10-metro-2033-retrospective|title=Metro 2033 retrospective|publisher=]|date=10 March 2013|access-date=15 July 2016|archive-date=26 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426082041/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-03-10-metro-2033-retrospective|url-status=live}}</ref>
As ''Metro 2033'' aims to be immersive, the gameplay and interface are somewhat atypical. The game lacks a health meter, relying on audible heart rate and blood spatters on the screen to show the player's current state of health. The player must collect air filters for the gas mask, which last several minutes each and are automatically replaced, as long as the player has more in reserve. There is no heads-up display indicator to tell how long the player has until the gas mask's filters begin to fail—rather, a timer on the character's wristwatch shows how long until the current filter expires. The gas mask can become visibly damaged and will stop functioning if punctured, requiring it to be replaced. With every weapon, the bullets are (partly) visible, informing the player that their weapon is about to run out of ammo and they have to reload. The game does feature sparse traditional ] elements, such as an ammunition indicator. However, on the hardest difficulty setting, no HUD elements are present, and players have to keep track of ammunition by the partly visible magazines.


==Synopsis==
There are also certain moral choices in the game that give ], which leads to different endings. Choices can either get the player good Karma, for example, saving prisoners from execution, or bad Karma, for example being rude to people or stealing.
=== Setting ===


''Metro 2033'' takes place in the city of ], Russia 20 years after a global nuclear holocaust in 2013. Moscow has become a wasteland filled with killer mutants and irradiated air and is uninhabitable for humans without protective gear. The surviving population now lives in the ], which is described as a labyrinth of railways, tunnels, and bunkers.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Shuster |first1=Simon (29 July 2013) |title=Moscow Underground |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,2147725,00.html |magazine=] |date=29 July 2013 |access-date=29 July 2021}}</ref> Inside the metro, food, water, and supplies are scarce which lead to the formation of factions; Most notably the "Hanza," the "Red Line," and the "Rangers of the Order." The metro is dilapidated, with some places even requiring a universal charger in order to activate certain gates or switches. Other areas of the metro are also irradiated and filled with water or debris. Some areas contain anomalies or the supernatural which can cause ] towards those that approach those areas. On the surface, the city is desolate, air and water are contaminated with radiation, and nearly everything is covered in ice and snow. While uninhabitable to humans, the surface is home to many mutants, especially the Dark Ones. The overall tone that the game tries to encapture is a grim and melancholic feeling, as well as displaying the miserable lives of people who have survived the great war.
==Plot==
In 2013, a ] occurred. ] was targeted with atomic bombs, causing severe radiation across ]. This forced the survivors to live underground in the metro stations away from the deadly effects of radiation. Many animals were heavily mutated into aggressive beasts, which make travel dangerous.


===Plot===
Twenty years later in 2033, Artyom (Russian: Артём), a 20-year-old male survivor born before the bombs fell, learns from Hunter, an elite soldier of the rangers, that a group of mysterious creatures referred to as the Dark Ones are threatening Artyom's home station, ], in the ]. Hunter gives Artyom his dog tags and tells him if he does not come back, he must go to Polis and present these to see if they will help his station.
In 2013, ] devastated the Earth, wiping out billions of lives. Among the affected nations is Russia, including the now-desolate wasteland of Moscow. A handful of survivors manage to hide in the Metro system, salvaging spare parts and growing mushrooms for food. Animals such as rats or bears have mutated into horrific monsters, while the air in many areas becomes heavily irradiated and impossible to survive in without a gas mask. There is a constant state of war between ] and ], while opportunistic bandits seize hostages and supplies in the metro tunnels. The Rangers emerge as a neutral peacekeeping force within the Metro.


By 2033, the northern station of ], now called Exhibition, is attacked by mysterious creatures called the Dark Ones. An elite Ranger named Hunter asks for support from a 24-year-old survivor named Artyom (Russian: Артём), the adopted son of the station commander. Before leaving to track the Dark Ones, Hunter gives Artyom his dog tags and tells him to present them to his superiors in Polis, the "capital" of the Metro.
Artyom must travel through territory occupied by ] and a ], and infested with mutants as well as the much changed surface of Moscow. Once in Polis, he meets with a Ranger named Miller, who agrees to help him. Miller knows of a missile silo known as ] that has the firepower necessary to destroy the Dark Ones. Artyom, Miller, and several other Rangers reactivate the command center for the missiles, and Artyom installs a laser guidance system on a nearby radio tower. After the laser system is installed, Artyom experiences a vivid hallucination induced by a Dark One.


The next day, Artyom signs on as a guard for a caravan headed to ], a neighboring station. Along the way, the crew is incapacitated by a psychic attack, but Artyom is not affected. After the caravan reaches safety, Artyom meets Bourbon, a smuggler who offers to take him to Polis. The two make their way through several stations and tunnels, and even pass through the surface of Moscow itself, before Bourbon is killed by bandits. A traveler named Khan then rescues Artyom. After escorting Artyom through haunted tunnels and an embattled station, Khan advises Artyom to meet his contact Andrew the Blacksmith, who lives under the control of the Red Line, a Stalinist regime. With Andrew's help, Artyom sneaks out of Red Line territory but is subsequently captured by their enemies, the neo-Nazi Fourth Reich.
After the hallucination, two endings are possible, depending on choices the player makes throughout the game. In the canonical ending, Artyom allows the missiles to fire, destroying the Dark Ones; only to realize later that they sought peace and the deaths by them were accidental. The alternate ending gives Artyom the choice to destroy the laser guidance device, citing a last-minute realization that the Dark Ones were actually attempting to make peaceful contact through the hallucinations. This ending is only available by performing various positive acts throughout the game.

Artyom is rescued from execution by two Rangers, Pavel and Ulman, before Pavel eventually dies escorting Artyom out of Reich territory. Now travelling alone, Artyom comes across a group of survivors trying to stop a mutant horde from reaching Polis. Although they fail, Artyom manages to rescue a young boy before they escape, and the defenders help Artyom reach the surface. There he reunites with Ulman, who takes him to meet Miller, the colonel of the Rangers in Polis.

The Polis governing council ultimately refuses to help Exhibition. But Miller tells Artyom his back-up plan: a missile silo known as ] that could destroy the Dark Ones' hive in the ]. To find a way to D6, Miller tells Artyom to meet him at the ] to search for a map. As he makes his way to the library, Artyom is forced to continue alone while avoiding mutants. He eventually finds a map and flees with the help of both Miller and Ulman. They recruit Artyom as a Ranger, who joins an operation to locate and reactivate the D6 command center. After their success, Artyom and Miller climb ] to install a laser guidance system. Soon after, Artyom experiences a vivid hallucination induced by a Dark One.

After the hallucination, there are two possible endings depending on the player's choices throughout the game. In the canonical ending, Artyom allows the missiles to fire, destroying the Dark Ones. The alternate ending gives Artyom the choice to destroy the laser guidance device, citing a last-minute realization that the Dark Ones were using the hallucinations to make peaceful contact. This ending is only available if the player has performed certain compassionate acts, such as helping fellow humans and not fleeing the Dark Ones in various hallucinations.


==Development== ==Development==
], the author of '']'']]
] 2009]]


''Metro 2033'' was developed by Ukrainian studio ], founded around 2005. The founders had worked at ], previously Ukraine's only major game studio, and creators of '']''. After the release of ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R'', Andrew Prokhorov left GSC due to disagreements with management, helping to found 4A Games as director. GSC's ] also fired the entire art team after ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R'' was released, and nearly all employees came to work at 4A.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/8/4568598/stalker-fallout-gsc-game-world|title=Stalker Fallout: Polygon Traces the Exodus from Kiev's Legendary GSC Game World|first=Charlie|last=Hall|work=]|date=8 September 2013|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328115749/https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/8/4568598/stalker-fallout-gsc-game-world|url-status=live}}</ref>
4A Games was founded by Oles' Shiskovtsov and Aleksandr Maksimchuk, former programmers for ] who left about a year before the release of '']''. Shiskovtsov and Maksimchuk had worked on the development of X-Ray engine used in the ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stalker-game-world.com/index/0-85 |title=Gsc&nbsp;– S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Team |publisher=Stalker Game World |date=2009-05-19 |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref> In March 2006, 4A Games announced a partnership with Glukhovsky to collaborate on the game.<ref name="Glukhovsky partnership">{{cite web |url=http://www.4a-games.com/ |title=4A Games announces its partnership with Dmitry Glukhovsky |date=30 March 2006 |publisher=4A Games |format=Adobe Flash |accessdate=2010-01-09 |quote=4A Games announces its partnership with Dmitry Glukhovskiy, the author of the cult postnuclear novel "Metro 2033" he will help create a game based on his novel, writing of its scenario, and working on its concept as an integral part of the 4A Games team.}}</ref> The game was announced at the 2009 ] in Leipzig;<ref name="game announcement">{{cite web |url=http://www.4a-games.com/ |title=4A Games at Games Convention |date=9 August 2009 |publisher=4A Games |format=Adobe Flash |accessdate=2010-01-09 |quote=4A Games is ready to announce our first project which will appear on Games Convention in Leipzig! During the Exposition we will have an exclusive showcase of our product, codename "Metro 2033. The Last Refuge".}}</ref> along with an official trailer.<ref>{{cite video|date=30 August 2009|title=GC 2006 Trailer|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gc-2006-metro-2033/12793|publisher=4A Games|accessdate=2010-01-09}}</ref>


The game is based on ]'s ].<ref name="MCVUK" /> Glukhovsky was inspired by the books of ] and ], as well as the first '']'' game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Martin|date=9 May 2012|title=Metro 2033 Interview|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/12/01/metro-2033-interview|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502112703/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/12/01/metro-2033-interview|archive-date=2 May 2021|work=]|access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> Years before Glukhovsky was offered a book publishing deal in 2005, he uploaded the manuscript of the novel to his personal website, leading a number of game studios to approach him for a potential adaptation of his work.<ref name="MCVUK">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/a-novel-idea/|title=A novel idea: How 4A is adapting Russia's smash-hit Metro 2033|magazine=]|date=4 January 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503172648/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/a-novel-idea/|url-status=live}}</ref> Glukhovsky was open-minded about studios creating new chapters in his ''Metro'' series, describing this as "as much of an honor as getting the book screened and turned into a movie", and hoping that this would grow the audience for his fiction.<ref name="VB Int">{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/community/2010/03/31/metro-2033-interview/|title=Metro 2033: The Book's Author Discusses the Game, Multiple Endings, and Too Much Dialogue|first=Dan|last=Hsu|work=]|date=31 March 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501222810/https://venturebeat.com/community/2010/03/31/metro-2033-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also felt that a game adaptation would allow him to focus on other projects, leaving the ''Metro'' universe in the careful custody of other artists.<ref name="MCVUK"/>
The game utilizes multi-platform ], running on ] and ]. There is some contention regarding whether the engine is based on the pre-release X-Ray engine (as claimed by Sergiy Grygorovych, the founder of GSC Game World,<ref>{{Dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> as well as users who have seen the 4A Engine SDK screenshots, citing visual similarities, shared resources, and technical evaluation of the pre-release 4A Engine demo conducted at the request of GSC Game World), or whether the engine is an original development (as claimed by 4A Games and Oles' Shiskovtsov in particular,<ref>{{cite web|last=Leadbetter |first=Richard |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-tech-interview-metro-2033 |title=Tech Interview: Metro 2033 Interview • Page 1 • Interviews • |publisher=Eurogamer.net |date=2010-02-25 |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref> who claims it would have been impractical to retrofit the X-ray engine with console support). 4A Engine features Nvidia ] support, enhanced AI, and a console SDK for Xbox 360.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/50904/Metro-2033-Re-Unveiled|title=Metro 2033 Re-Unveiled}}</ref> The PC version includes exclusive features such as DirectX 11 support and has been described as "a love letter to PC gamers" because of the developers' choice "to make the PC version phenomenal".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/98849-Metro-2033-is-a-Love-Letter-to-PC-Gamers|title=Metro 2033 is a "Love Letter" to PC Gamers|author=Andy Chalk}}</ref>


Glukhovsky ultimately chose 4A Games because they shared an "Eastern European mindset", both having a first-hand understanding of the collapse of the ]. He was also impressed with the team's previous work, as well as their pitch to adapt ''Metro'' as a ], since the book reveals the thoughts of the protagonists (though it is written in the third-person).<ref name="MCVUK" /> Glukhovsky gave 4A a lot of creative freedom, while ensuring that the game was true to his story, themes, and meaning, even rewriting the dialog for the Russian version of the game. According to Glukhovsky, the main theme of ''Metro 2033'' is ], particularly the human reaction to the mysterious Dark Ones. Glukhovsky also saw it as a ] story for protagonist Arytom, as a young man trying to find the meaning of his life.<ref name="VG247 int">{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2010/02/25/interview-metro-2033s-dmitry-glukhovsky-and-huw-beynon/|title=Interview: Metro 2033's Dmitry Glukhovsky and Huw Beynon|first=Patrick|last=Garett|work=]|date=25 February 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502112726/https://www.vg247.com/2010/02/25/interview-metro-2033s-dmitry-glukhovsky-and-huw-beynon/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game does feature ] and ], particularly about modern Russia, but this was not intended as the game's focus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/thqs-huw-beynon-talks-metro-2033/1100-6253650/|title=THQ's Huw Beynon talks Metro 2033|first=James|last=Kozanecki|date=16 March 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501070221/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/thqs-huw-beynon-talks-metro-2033/1100-6253650/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game differs from the book by offering two endings, which Glukhovsky felt was an interesting choice to give the player.<ref name="VB Int"/>
A ] version was planned, but ultimately cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/metro-2033-not-coming-to-ps3-because-of-business-164975.phtml |title=Metro 2033 not coming to PS3 because of business |publisher=Destructoid |date= |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref> On February 19, THQ and 4A Games announced the game features ] software and DRM. This gives ''Metro 2033'' achievements, Steam support for in-game ] and auto-updating. {{-}}


The game utilizes ], a proprietary game engine developed by 4A Games. It was developed by programmers Oles Shishkovtsov and Oleksandr Maksimchuk, who had previously worked on the X-Ray engine for the ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'' series.<ref name="metroeuro">{{Cite web|last=Leadbetter|first=Richard|date=20 February 2010|title=Metrospective: 4A Games vs. Digital Foundry|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-metro2033-article|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218032017/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-metro2033-article|archive-date=18 December 2017|access-date=29 December 2017|website=]}}</ref> Grygorovych accused 4A Games of using the pre-release versions of the X-Ray engine, but Shishkovtsov responded by refuting this. First, the GSC engine did not work on home consoles, whereas the 4A Engine was designed with this in mind. Shishkovtsov also described how the 4A Engine began as a pet project due to his frustrations with the X-Ray engine, before expanding his project with the 4A Games team.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Matt|date=18 February 2010|title=4A Games dismisses Metro 2033 engine rumours|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/4a-games-dismisses-metro-2033-engine-rumours|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120143141/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/4a-games-dismisses-metro-2033-engine-rumours|archive-date=20 January 2021|work=]|access-date=5 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="metroeuro" />
==Release==
]
A ] of the game was released in Russia&nbsp;– it contained the game itself in special packaging, a game guide, a map of the post-apocalyptic subway of Moscow and a unique watch with the game's logo on it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozon.ru/context/detail/id/7097605/?item=4971854 |title=Софт &#124; Метро 2033 &#124; Компьютерная игра &#124; Интернет-магазин: компьютерные программы |publisher=OZON.ru |date= |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref> An even larger ] was released in Poland; it contained: the game itself in special packaging, a Polish translation of the novel '']'', instructions for the game, an army container and a gas mask (with filters and a military bag included).<ref>{{Dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> A special edition was also released in Germany&nbsp;– more similar in size to the Russian collector's edition and smaller than the Polish one, it contained: the game itself in a special edition box, a hardback novel (]) titled "Davor und Danach" (''Before and After''), a fully working replica of the watch that Artyom uses in the game, a bear-shaped key ring with one of Hunter's dog tags on it and a download code for the Heavy Automatic Shotgun.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metro2033.de/index.php?p=content&id=12&name=metro2033special-edition |title=Metro&nbsp;– Last Light &#124; Metro2033&nbsp;– The last Refuge &#124; Metro2033- Special Edition |publisher=Metro2033.de |date= |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://collectorsedition.org/game-db/metro-2033-amazon-exclusive-special-edition-pc-dvd-rom |title=Metro 2033 (Amazon Exclusive Special Edition) (PC) [DVD-ROM&#93; |publisher=CollectorsEdition.org |date=2011-06-24 |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref>


The studio's goal was to focus on atmosphere and story, having been largely inspired by '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/30/15905504/metro-exodus-e3-2017-reveal-interview-feature|title=Metro Exodus and the developer that won't stop fighting|first=Phillip|last=Kollar|work=]|date=30 June 2017|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701010633/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/30/15905504/metro-exodus-e3-2017-reveal-interview-feature|url-status=live}}</ref> They hoped that their narrative focus would help the game stand out from other ] titles like ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/metro-2033-focuses-on-story-setting-and-atmosphere-161609.phtml|title=Metro 2033 focuses on story, setting and atmosphere|first=Jim|last=Sterling|work=]|date=26 January 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503172658/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/metro-2033-focuses-on-story-setting-and-atmosphere-161609.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> According to producer Huw Beynon, their aim was for every scene to contribute to the game's narrative, describing this as "cinematic".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2010/03/05/metro-2033-its-not-a-horror-game-says-thq/|title=Metro 2033: "It's not a horror game," says THQ|first=Patrick|last=Garett|work=]|date=5 March 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501070909/https://www.vg247.com/2010/03/05/metro-2033-its-not-a-horror-game-says-thq/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since it was not practical to turn every major plot point into a ], the studio instead strove to create an immersive atmosphere by using both environmental storytelling and incidental conversations. For instance, ]s have their own daily routines and frequently gossip with each other.<ref name="MCVUK" /> The team also included a lot of quieter non-combat moments, to improve the game's variety, pacing, and sense of discovery.<ref name="VG247 int" /> The team decided to keep the ] minimalistic, to keep the player immersed in the game world with fewer distractions.<ref name="VG247 int" /> Instead, the game puts many of its cues in the environment, such as the player viewing their objectives by physically opening Artyom's journal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/metro-2033-the-last-refuge-first-look/|title=Metro 2033: The Last Refuge - first look|first=Evan|last=Lathi|work=]|date=20 December 2008|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502052401/https://www.gamesradar.com/metro-2033-the-last-refuge-first-look/|url-status=live}}</ref> The team also focused their resources exclusively on the single-player experience, deliberately avoiding any ] component.<ref name="VG247 int"/>
In February 2014, the Xbox 360 version of ''2033'' was included in Microsoft's "Games with Gold" program exclusively for German subscribers. This served as a replacement for ''Dead Island'', the game offered in other territories, as it is unavailable for purchase in Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.de/articles/2014-02-03-games-with-gold-metro-2033-und-toy-soldiers-cold-war-im-februar-kostenlos|title=Games with Gold: Metro 2033 und Toy Soldiers: Cold War im Februar kostenlos|date=3 February 2014|work=Eurogamer.de}}</ref>


==Marketing and release==
On May 22, 2014, a ''Redux'' version of the game was announced. It uses the latest version of the 4A Engine bringing the graphical and gameplay changes from '']'' to ''2033''. It was released on August 26, 2014 in North America and August 29, 2014 in Europe for the PC, ], and ].<ref name="ign.com"/> A compilation package, titled ''Metro Redux'', was released at the same time which includes both games.<ref name="gamespot-redux">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/metro-2033-and-metro-last-light-coming-to-xbox-one-ps4-and-pc-for-25-each/1100-6419809/|title=Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light coming to Xbox One, PS4, and PC for $25 each|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=22 May 2014|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=23 May 2014}}</ref> {{-}}
In August 2006, 4A Games first announced the game as ''Metro 2033: The Last Refuge'', for both PC and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/metro-2033-the-last-refuge|title=METRO 2033. The Last Refuge|work=]|date=17 August 2006|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501070221/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/metro-2033-the-last-refuge|url-status=live}}</ref> ]'s Dean Sharpe saw early footage of the game at a trade show, incidentally around the time that Sharpe was also promoting ''S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl''. Sharpe was impressed with 4A's work and convinced THQ to become their publisher, which later led him to join 4A Games as CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-07-28-dean-sharpe-sent-to-save-stalker|title=The Californian sent to save Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl from development hell|first=Robert|last=Purchese|work=]|date=28 July 2018|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501070221/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-07-28-dean-sharpe-sent-to-save-stalker|url-status=live}}</ref> THQ officially announced the partnership in October 2009, revealing the now-renamed game ''Metro 2033'' for both PC and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/22/thq-unveils-metro-2033|title=THQ Unveils Metro 2033|first=Jim|last=Reilly|work=]|date=23 October 2009|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503023236/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/22/thq-unveils-metro-2033|url-status=live}}</ref> The decision to skip PlayStation 3 was a business decision for THQ, and not a technical limitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/metro-2033-not-coming-to-ps3-because-of-business/|title=Metro 2033 not coming to PS3 because of business|first=Jim|last=Sterling|work=]|date=25 February 2010|access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> ''Metro 2033'' was marketed on ] by offering '']'' with pre-orders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-02-05-steam-pre-order-metro-2033-get-red-faction-guerrilla-free.html?|title=Steam: Pre-order Metro 2033, get Red Faction Guerrilla free|first=Alexander|last=Sliwinski|date=5 February 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|work=]|publisher=]|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502052407/https://www.engadget.com/2010-02-05-steam-pre-order-metro-2033-get-red-faction-guerrilla-free.html|url-status=live}}</ref> THQ also released a Limited Edition for the game, including the game disc, four art cards, and a replica of an in-game automatic shotgun.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2010/02/09/thq-announces-limited-edition-for-metro-2033/|title=THQ announces Limited Edition for Metro 2033|first=Stephany|last=Nunneley|work=]|date=9 February 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501133823/https://www.vg247.com/2010/02/09/thq-announces-limited-edition-for-metro-2033/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The game was released on 16 March 2010 in North America, and 19 March 2010 in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/metro-2033-ticketed-for-march-16/1100-6248470/|title=Metro 2033 ticketed for 16 March|first=Tor|last=Thorsen|work=]|date=28 January 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627173223/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/metro-2033-ticketed-for-march-16/1100-6248470/|url-status=live}}</ref> Immediately after the game's release, the studio announced that it had begun developing ] for ''Metro 2033''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2010/03/17/production-on-metro-2033-dlc-has-started-multiplayer-not-possible/|title=Production on Metro 2033 DLC has started, multiplayer not possible|first=Stephany|last=Nunneley|work=]|date=17 March 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501070908/https://www.vg247.com/2010/03/17/production-on-metro-2033-dlc-has-started-multiplayer-not-possible/|url-status=live}}</ref> The content was later revealed to as the "Ranger pack", which added two new weapons, as well as a Ranger mode that removed the HUD, and reduced the ammunition supply while boosting damage. The pack was released on 3 August 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/30/metro-2033-dlc-hitting-steam-and-xbox-live-next-week.aspx|title=Metro 2033 DLC Hitting Steam And Xbox Live Next Week|first=Phil|last=Kollar|magazine=]|date=30 July 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=25 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825043803/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/30/metro-2033-dlc-hitting-steam-and-xbox-live-next-week.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Reflecting on the game a year after release, THQ's Vice-President ] admitted that the game was not "properly supported in all areas", singling out problems with ] and ]. Bilson also described the game as "an orphan stepchild", as the publishing agreement with 4A Games was signed late in development, leaving less time to properly market the title before release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gilbert|first=Ben|date=14 January 2011|title=THQ's Bilson: Metro 2033 'wasn't properly nurtured,' sequel to address issues|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-01-14-thq-bilson-metro-2033-wasnt-properly-nurtured-sequel-to-a.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502053721/https://www.engadget.com/2011-01-14-thq-bilson-metro-2033-wasnt-properly-nurtured-sequel-to-a.html|archive-date=2 May 2021|work=]|publisher=]|access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref>

===''2033 Redux''===
On 22 May 2014, a remastered version titled ''Metro 2033 Redux'' was announced, featuring updates to the 4A Engine from the development of the sequel, '']''. This led to graphical changes such as improved lighting, animations, and ]s, as well as dynamic weather. This also allowed gameplay changes from ''Last Light'', including improved controls, combat, stealth mechanics, and ]. This also added ''Last Light'''s features to ''2033'', such as silent takedowns, customized weapons, and the ability to wipe gas masks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/metro-redux-announced|title=Rail Replacement: Metro 2033 & Last Light Revamped|first=Alice|last=O'Connor|website=]|date=22 May 2014|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313193645/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/metro-redux-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Redux'' version was released on 26 August 2014 in North America, and 29 August 2014 in Europe for ], ], and ].<ref name="ign.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/24/metro-redux-release-date-announced |title=Metro: Redux release date announced |work=] |first=Luke |last=Karmali |date=24 June 2014 |access-date=7 August 2014 |archive-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627054224/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/24/metro-redux-release-date-announced |url-status=live }}</ref> The remastered version also led to a compilation package with both ''2033 Redux'' and ''Last Light Redux'', under the cumulative title of ''Metro Redux''.<ref name="gamespot-redux">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/metro-2033-and-metro-last-light-coming-to-xbox-one-ps4-and-pc-for-25-each/1100-6419809/|title=Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light coming to Xbox One, PS4, and PC for $25 each|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=22 May 2014|work=]|publisher=]|access-date=23 May 2014|archive-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226050950/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/metro-2033-and-metro-last-light-coming-to-xbox-one-ps4-and-pc-for-25-each/1100-6419809/|url-status=live}}</ref> The remastered versions of the two games were published by ]. A demo of ''2033 Redux'', which allows players to play through the first one-third of the game, was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 2 June 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-06-02-metro-redux-titles-now-offer-lengthy-free-demos|title=Metro Redux titles now offer lengthy free demos|first=Jeffery|last=Matulef|work=]|date=2 June 2015|access-date=3 June 2015|archive-date=2 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602181351/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-06-02-metro-redux-titles-now-offer-lengthy-free-demos|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Metro 2033 Redux'' was later released for the ] on 28 February 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2020-01-16-metro-redux-nintendo-switch-4a-games.html|title='Metro Redux' is coming to Nintendo Switch 28 February|work=]|date=16 January 2020|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226043216/https://www.engadget.com/2020-01-16-metro-redux-nintendo-switch-4a-games.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and on ] on 23 June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 June 2020|title=This Week on Stadia: Free games headed to Pro … and much more.|url=https://community.stadia.com/t5/Stadia-Community-Blog/This-Week-on-Stadia-Free-games-headed-to-Pro-and-much-more/ba-p/25345|access-date=23 June 2020|website=community.stadia.com|language=en}}</ref>


==Reception== ==Reception==
===Critical reception===
{{Video game reviews {{Video game reviews
|GR = 80.65% (PC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/935068-metro-2033/index.html |title=Metro 2033 for PC |publisher=GameRankings |date=2010-03-16 |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref> <br />78.28% (X360)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/935091-metro-2033/index.html |title=Metro 2033 for Xbox 360 |publisher=GameRankings |date=2010-03-16 |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref> | MC = PC: 81/100<ref name="MC-PC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metro-2033/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Metro 2033 for PC Reviews |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=29 May 2020 |archive-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024144632/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/metro-2033 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />X360: 77/100<ref name="MC-360">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metro-2033/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Metro 2033 for Xbox 360 Reviews |work=] |access-date=29 May 2020 |publisher=] |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610134548/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/metro-2033 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 1UP = C+<ref name="review-1up">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3178441&p=1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101163953/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3178441&p=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 January 2013 |title=Metro 2033 Review for the PC, Xbox 360 from 1UP.com |access-date=23 March 2010 |date=22 March 2010 |work=]}}</ref>
|MC = 81/100 (PC)<ref name="MC-PC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/metro2033 |title=Metro 2033 (pc) reviews at Metacritic.com |accessdate=2010-03-20 }}</ref><br />90/100 (PC Redux)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/metro-2033-redux |title=Metro 2033 Redux (PC) reviews at Metacritic.com |accessdate=2015-02-09 }}</ref><br /> 77/100 (X360)<ref name="MC-360">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/metro2033 |title=Metro 2033 (xbox360) reviews at Metacritic.com |accessdate=2010-03-20 }}</ref>
| Destruct = 8/10<ref name="destructrev">{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-metro-2033-202353.phtml|title=Review: Metro 2033|first=Jim|last=Sterling|work=]|date=30 January 2011|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816175919/https://www.destructoid.com/review-metro-2033-202353.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
|1UP = C+<ref name='review-1up'>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3178441&p=1 |title=Metro 2033 Review for the PC, Xbox 360 from 1UP.com |accessdate=2010-03-23 |date=2010-03-22 }}</ref>
|IGN = 6.9/10<ref name="review-ign">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/107/1078872p1.html |title=Metro 2033 Review&nbsp;– IGN |publisher=Xbox360.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref> | EuroG = 8/10<ref name="EuroGRev">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/metro-2033-review|title=Metro 2033 review: No Picnic|first=Jim|last=Rossignol|date=19 September 2011|access-date=3 May 2021|work=]|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501191724/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/metro-2033-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GI = 9/10<ref name="GIRev">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/metro_2033/b/xbox360/archive/2010/03/16/a-dreary-subway-ride-well-worth-taking.aspx|title=Metro 2033: A Dreary Subway Ride Well Worth Taking|first=Phil|last=Kollar|magazine=]|date=16 March 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127104522/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/metro_2033/b/xbox360/archive/2010/03/16/a-dreary-subway-ride-well-worth-taking.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|GamePro = 3.5/5<ref name="review-gamepro">{{cite web|last=Kim |first=Tae K. |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/214423/metro-2033/ |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110607062117/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/214423/metro-2033/ |archivedate=2011-06-07 |title=Metro 2033 Review from GamePro |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2011-06-07 |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref>
|GSpot = 8.0/10<ref name="review-gamespot">{{cite web|author=Watters, Chris |url=http://asia.gamespot.com/pc/action/metro2033thelastrefuge/index.html |title= Metro 2033 Review |publisher = GameSpot |date=2010-03-17 |accessdate=2010-03-18}}</ref> | GamePro = 3.5/5<ref name="review-gamepro">{{cite magazine|last=Kim |first=Tae K. |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/214423/metro-2033/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607062117/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/214423/metro-2033/ |archive-date=7 June 2011 |title=Metro 2033 Review |magazine=]|date=7 June 2011 |access-date=20 July 2013}}</ref>
| GT = 7.8/10<ref name="GTRev">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf982foP4DQ|title=Metro 2033 Review|work=]|publisher=]|date=3 June 2016|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503172841/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf982foP4DQ|url-status=live}}</ref>
|GI = 9/10 <ref name=GameInformer>{{cite web|last=Adrian |first=Undertaker |url=http://gameinformer.com/games/metro_2033/b/pc/archive/2010/03/16/a-dreary-subway-ride-well-worth-taking.aspx |title=A Dreary Subway Ride Well Worth Taking&nbsp;– Metro 2033&nbsp;– PC |publisher=www.GameInformer.com |date=2010-03-16 |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref>
| GB = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="GB Rev">{{cite web|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/metro-2033-review/1900-268/|title=Metro 2033 Review|first=Dave|last=Snider|work=]|date=23 March 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521202748/https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/metro-2033-review/1900-268/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GRadar = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="GRadarRev">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/metro-2033-review/|title=Metro 2033 Review: From Russia with Love|first=Matthew|last=Pellett|work=]|date=13 March 2010|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422211127/https://www.gamesradar.com/metro-2033-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8/10<ref name="GameSpot Review">{{cite web|last=Watters|first=Chris|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/metro-2033-review/1900-6253862/|title=Metro 2033 Review|work=]|date=18 March 2010|access-date=18 March 2010|archive-date=25 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025091222/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/metro-2033-review/1900-6253862/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN = Original: 6.9/10<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web|last=Clements|first=Ryan|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/20/metro-2033-review|title=Metro 2033 Review|work=]|date=19 March 2010|access-date=20 July 2013|archive-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208124642/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/20/metro-2033-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
Redux: 8.6/10<ref name="Reparaz">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/19/metro-redux-review|title=Metro Redux reviews|first=Mike|last=Reparaz|work=]|date=19 August 2014|access-date=21 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718031513/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/19/metro-redux-review|archive-date=18 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Joystiq = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="JoystiqRev">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-03-16-metro-2033-video-game-review.html|title=Review: Metro 2033|first=Justin|last=McElroy|work=]|publisher=]|date=16 March 2010|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503172645/https://www.engadget.com/2010-03-16-metro-2033-video-game-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| VG = 7/10<ref name="VGRev">{{cite web|url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/metro-2033-review|title=Metro 2033 Review|first=Tom|last=Orry|work=VideoGamer.com|date=19 March 2010|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=9 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909155154/https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/metro-2033-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
}} }}


''Metro 2033'' received "generally favorable reviews", according to ] ].<ref name="MC-PC" /><ref name="MC-360" /> Most critics agreed that the game was a compelling and engrossing experience undermined by inadequate gameplay systems and poor artificial intelligence.<ref name="GB Rev"/><ref name="review-1up"/><ref name="VGRev"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/16/metro-2033-uk-review|title=Metro 2033 UK Review|first=Kristen|last=Reed|work=]|date=9 May 2012|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040102/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/16/metro-2033-uk-review|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GTRev"/>
The game has received generally favorable reviews, scoring 81/100<ref name="MC-PC" /> and 77/100<ref name="MC-360" /> on ] for the PC and Xbox 360 versions respectively. '']'' praised it, giving it 9 out of 10. ]'s Dakota Grabowski gave the game an 8 out of 10, saying, "The single-player affair is worthy of every FPS fanatics' time since the 4A Games and THQ were able to put forth a wonderful tale that deserved telling. The world is engrossing as it invites players for multiple trips with the sheer amount of detail 4A Games spent implementing into the environments. ''Metro 2033'' is as pure as they come in the genre and I gladly welcome any sequel that may reach fruition."<ref>{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref>


During the ], the ] nominated ''Metro 2033'' for "]" and "]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2011&idGame=1144 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Metro 2033 |publisher=] |website=interactive.org |access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>
Video game talk show '']'' gave the game an 8.5 out of 10 praising the RPG and survival horror elements which add richness to the gameplay as well saying the HUD-less design was a choice which suits this particular game. Overall they said "I'm a big '']'' fan and I was worried this would try to be something similar and fail dismally. But it's more FPS than RPG, so I think it manages to dodge a direct comparison. They've just worked really hard to bring RPG narrative and decisions into the action, and it works."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s2846192.htm |title=Good Game stories&nbsp;– Metro 2033| publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date=2010-03-15}}</ref>


The game's story and pacing received acclaim from critics. Phil Kollar from '']'' praised the main campaign's variety of scenarios and set-pieces, especially the climax of the game's story.<ref name="GIRev"/> '']''{{'}}s Jim Rossignol also liked the campaign's variety and cinematic sequences, highlighting how "the action is expertly punctuated with unexpected experiences".<ref name="EuroGRev"/> ] from '']'' also liked the story, praising the characters as likeable for their courage and resilience.<ref name="JoystiqRev"/> '']''{{'}}s Ryan Clements felt that the game included "interesting sights and sounds", that the game suffered from bland characters and a "clumsy" story.<ref name="IGN Review"/> ] from '']'' felt that the story was "decent" and the themes were "intruiging" and "powerful", but expressed disappointment that it was not as fleshed out as the source materials.<ref name="destructrev"/> '']''{{'}}s Tae K. Kim felt that there was not enough context for an otherwise strong backstory, as he "never fully understood the world", making the game an awkward entry point to the fiction of the novel.<ref name="review-gamepro"/>
] gave the game a 3 out of 5, the reviewer pointed out the game's great atmosphere, attention to detail, and that the game had some truly scary moments. The reviewer also pointed out that, they "didn't do enough with the creepy atmosphere". Saying that the game would come close to truly frightening moments, but "never truly commits to scaring the audience". The reviewer said that the mapping of the buttons on the controller for the Xbox 360 can be "less than optimal", but the problem does not apply to PC users. In the conclusion, the reviewer said that the game was, "over all a respectable effort, provided you don't expect the same level of depth found in, let's say '']''."<ref>{{cite web|author=April 1, 2010 |url=http://g4tv.com/videos/45113/Metro-2033-Review/ |title=Metro 2033 Review&nbsp;– |publisher=G4tv.com |date=2010-04-01 |accessdate=2013-07-20}}</ref>


The atmosphere was often considered one of the game's highlights. Matthew Pellett from '']'' described the setting as "evocative", and compared the game favourably to '']'' and '']''.<ref name="GRadarRev"/> Writing for '']'', Chris Waters praised the atmosphere as "oppressive", and that the "relentless gloom can begin to wear you down".<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> The dialogue between non-playable characters was often praised for making the game world more immersive.<ref name="GIRev"/><ref name="GameSpot Review"/><ref name="EuroGRev"/><ref name="destructrev"/> McElroy highlighted details such as the wristwatch and battery pump for adding to the sense of immersion.<ref name="JoystiqRev"/> Rossignol described the game world as one that is "heaving with apocalyptic detail", and praised the gas masks for inducing a "claustrophobic feeling".<ref name="EuroGRev"/> Sterling felt that the game's unforgiving gameplay also facilitated players immersion. He added that ''2033'' was "one of the most traditional survival horrors to be seen in years", as players must survive the tunnels with a bare minimum of resources, making the experience more intense and frightening.<ref name="destructrev"/> Kim also praised the 4A Engine for "bringing this desolate and sad world to life", and applauded the developers' effort to interweave gameplay with the narrative.<ref name="review-gamepro"/> Tom Orry from ''VideoGamer.com'' also applauded the game for its visuals and immersion, but criticized the game's linearity and ]s.<ref name="VGRev"/>
] gave the game 7.5 out of 10 for the Xbox 360 version and 8 out of 10 for the PC version, praising the atmosphere but noting problems with the ] and animations.<ref name="review-gamespot" />


Critics had more mixed opinions for the gameplay. Waters praised the game for rewarding players for exploration, as well as the game's diversity of weapons.<ref name="GameSpot Review"/> However, Kollar felt that the weapons were not interesting enough.<ref name="GIRev"/> Rossignol liked the scarce ammunition and survivalist elements of combat, but felt that the inaccuracy of the aiming system was frustrating.<ref name="EuroGRev"/> Kollar agreed that the aiming and the control was too loose.<ref name="GIRev" /> Sterling also analyzed the combat, expressing that it was better as a survival game than an action game.<ref name="destructrev"/> Sterling and Clements criticized the stealth mechanics for bugs,<ref name="destructrev"/><ref name="IGN Review"/> with McElroy remarking that enemies become invincible during certain animations.<ref name="JoystiqRev" /> Reviewers also criticized the game's ],<ref name="JoystiqRev" /> as well as the game's lack of replay value.<ref name="GB Rev"/><ref name="GIRev"/>
] gave the game a lower rating of 6.9 out of 10 (identical for Xbox 360 and PC versions), citing the frame rate, bugs, and disappointing graphics issues.<ref name="review-ign" /> {{-}}


The ''Redux'' version received a much more positive reception from critics. They heavily praised the game's overall atmosphere but especially the enhanced gameplay and graphical update with IGN's Mike Reparaz saying "Redux is overall a much smoother, more enjoyable, and better-looking way to experience Metro 2033."
==Sequel==
<ref name="Reparaz">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/19/metro-redux-review|title=Metro Redux reviews|first=Mike|last=Reparaz|work=]|date=19 August 2014|access-date=21 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718031513/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/19/metro-redux-review|archive-date=18 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/metro-2033-redux-review/|title=Metro: Redux Review|work=]|date=20 August 2014|access-date=21 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723090733/http://www.pcgamer.com/metro-last-light-redux-review/|archive-date=23 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
'']'' was released on May 14, 2013 in North America and May 17, 2013 in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Russia.<ref name="Metro: Last Light"/> Even though it acts as a sequel to the original game it does not follow any direct storylines from the book ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cook|first1=Dave|title=“Not your regular game story”&nbsp;– writing Metro: Last Light|url=http://www.vg247.com/2013/05/08/not-your-regular-game-story-glukhovsky-on-writing-metro-last-light/|website=http://www.vg247.com|publisher=VG 24/7|accessdate=14 December 2014}}</ref> An improved version called ''Redux'', with all downloadable content was released on August 26, 2014 in North America and August 29, 2014 in Europe for the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/24/metro-redux-release-date-announced |title=Metro Metro: Redux release date announced |publisher=ign.com |date=2014-06-24 |accessdate=2014-08-07}}</ref> A compilation package, titled ''Metro Redux'', was released at the same time which includes both ''Last Light'' and ''Metro 2033''.

===Sales===
''Metro 2033'' was the fifth best-selling retail game in the UK in its week of release, beaten by fellow new release '']'' and titles including '']'', '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/uk-charts-god-of-war-iii-at-summit|title=UK charts: God of War III at No. 1|first=Robert|last=Purchese|work=]|date=22 March 2010|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501070227/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/uk-charts-god-of-war-iii-at-summit|url-status=live}}</ref> THQ described the game as "very profitable" for the company. CEO for THQ, Brain Farrell, added that due to the low cost of development in Eastern Europe, modest level of sales would already guarantee ''Metro 2033'' as a commercial success. The game was significantly more popular in Europe than North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-05-05-metro-2033-has-been-very-profitable-for-thq-ceo-says.html|title=Metro 2033 has been 'very profitable' for THQ, CEO says|first=James|last=Ransom-Wiley|date=6 May 2010|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503172701/https://www.engadget.com/2010-05-05-metro-2033-has-been-very-profitable-for-thq-ceo-says.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2012, it was revealed that the game had sold more than 1.5 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-06-05-metro-2033-sales-reach-1-5-million.html|title=Metro 2033 sales reach 1.5 million|first=Alexander|last=Sliwinski|work=]|publisher=]|date=5 June 2012|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503040723/https://www.engadget.com/2012-06-05-metro-2033-sales-reach-1-5-million.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While the exact sales of the game have not been revealed, Deep Silver announced that the ''Metro Redux'' collection sold more than 1.5 million copies in April 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/metro-redux-sells-1-5-million-copies/1100-6426640/|title=Metro Redux Sells 1.5 Million Copies|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=]|date=15 April 2015|access-date=21 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401111024/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/metro-redux-sells-1-5-million-copies/1100-6426640/|archive-date=1 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sequels==
The sequel '']'' was released in 2013. The story continues the events from the original game, and does not follow any direct storylines from the book '']''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cook|first1=Dave|title="Not your regular game story"&nbsp;– writing Metro: Last Light|url=http://www.vg247.com/2013/05/08/not-your-regular-game-story-glukhovsky-on-writing-metro-last-light/|website=]|date=8 May 2013|publisher=VG 24/7|access-date=14 December 2014|archive-date=1 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801015427/http://www.vg247.com/2013/05/08/not-your-regular-game-story-glukhovsky-on-writing-metro-last-light/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] acquired the publishing rights from ] after they declared bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/185966/How_Saints_Row_and_Metro_ended_up_with_Koch_Media.php|title=How Saints Row and Metro ended up with Koch Media|first=Kris|last=Graft|work=]|date=5 February 2013|access-date=18 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702032452/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/185966/How_Saints_Row_and_Metro_ended_up_with_Koch_Media.php|archive-date=2 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> A third instalment, '']'', was released in 2019.<ref name="pcgamer">{{cite magazine |last1=Brown |first1=Fraser |title=Metro Exodus brings its release date forward by a week |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/metro-exodus-release-date/ |magazine=] |date=13 December 2018 |access-date=3 May 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924224700/https://www.pcgamer.com/metro-exodus-release-date/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs= {{Reflist}}
<ref name="drdcntrl">{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36160/trailer-metro-2033-your-destination-terror |title=Trailer: Metro 2033&nbsp;– Your Destination for Terror |publisher=Dread Central Media LLC |date=February 27, 2010 |accessdate=June 3, 2011}}</ref><ref name="metro2033outnow">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro2033game.com/au/news/10171 |title=Metro 2033&nbsp;– Out Now! |publisher=THQ Inc. |date=2010-03-18 |accessdate=2011-03-24}}</ref>
}}


==External links== ==External links==
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Latest revision as of 22:11, 25 December 2024

2010 video game

2010 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 nuclear 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 instalment, Metro Exodus, was released in 2019.

Gameplay

A gameplay screenshot of Metro 2033. The tunnels are often dimly lit, and the player must use a flashlight to see in the darkness.

Metro 2033 is a first-person shooter video game. It is predominantly set within the tunnels of the Moscow Metro, though some sections take place on the surface, in the ruins of Moscow. The story is told through a linear single-player campaign, and important plot moments are shown during cutscenes.

The human and mutant enemies can be killed with a variety of firearms. The game features traditional guns like a revolver, assault rifles and shotguns, as well as more inventive weapons like a pneumatic crossbow. In firefights, human enemies take cover and flank the player, while mutant enemies stay in the open and try to bite them. Alternatively, the player can employ stealth to evade their enemies or kill them silently. This can be achieved by using a throwing knife to kill an enemy from afar, or shooting an enemy with a suppressed weapon. The player can recover health by waiting for it to regenerate, or by using a med-kit to heal themselves immediately. The game features a minimalistic heads-up display (HUD). Gameplay information is presented to the player via audio and visual cues. For instance, players must inspect their weapons to see if they are about to run out of ammunition and therefore have to reload.

Since the game has a large survival horror focus, the player often has little ammunition, and must scavenge for supplies from caches or dead bodies. An essential supply is pre-war 5.45×39mm ammunition (referred to in the game as "military grade ammunition"), which is also the main currency in the tunnels. This ammunition can be traded for weapons and upgrades, or used directly as stronger bullets than other scavenged ammunition. As most of the tunnels feature little to no light, the player can use a flashlight to explore dark areas. However, the flashlight needs to be charged with a battery charger in order to stay effective. The player must also use a gas mask to explore areas affected by radiation, both underground and on the surface. The gas mask can be damaged in combat, which forces the player to find a replacement. The player's survival also depends on constantly replacing their air filter, which they can monitor by inspecting Artyom's wristwatch.

Throughout the game, there are certain moral choices that can be made. If the player is compassionate to the people living in the tunnels, such as giving the homeless some military grade ammunition, they may be able to watch a different cutscene at the end of the game. These moral choices are never explicitly mentioned, and it is possible to play through the game without knowing of their presence.

Synopsis

Setting

Metro 2033 takes place in the city of Moscow, Russia 20 years after a global nuclear holocaust in 2013. Moscow has become a wasteland filled with killer mutants and irradiated air and is uninhabitable for humans without protective gear. The surviving population now lives in the Moscow Metro, which is described as a labyrinth of railways, tunnels, and bunkers. Inside the metro, food, water, and supplies are scarce which lead to the formation of factions; Most notably the "Hanza," the "Red Line," and the "Rangers of the Order." The metro is dilapidated, with some places even requiring a universal charger in order to activate certain gates or switches. Other areas of the metro are also irradiated and filled with water or debris. Some areas contain anomalies or the supernatural which can cause psychic damage towards those that approach those areas. On the surface, the city is desolate, air and water are contaminated with radiation, and nearly everything is covered in ice and snow. While uninhabitable to humans, the surface is home to many mutants, especially the Dark Ones. The overall tone that the game tries to encapture is a grim and melancholic feeling, as well as displaying the miserable lives of people who have survived the great war.

Plot

In 2013, nuclear war devastated the Earth, wiping out billions of lives. Among the affected nations is Russia, including the now-desolate wasteland of Moscow. A handful of survivors manage to hide in the Metro system, salvaging spare parts and growing mushrooms for food. Animals such as rats or bears have mutated into horrific monsters, while the air in many areas becomes heavily irradiated and impossible to survive in without a gas mask. There is a constant state of war between Stalinists and Nazis, while opportunistic bandits seize hostages and supplies in the metro tunnels. The Rangers emerge as a neutral peacekeeping force within the Metro.

By 2033, the northern station of VDNKh, now called Exhibition, is attacked by mysterious creatures called the Dark Ones. An elite Ranger named Hunter asks for support from a 24-year-old survivor named Artyom (Russian: Артём), the adopted son of the station commander. Before leaving to track the Dark Ones, Hunter gives Artyom his dog tags and tells him to present them to his superiors in Polis, the "capital" of the Metro.

The next day, Artyom signs on as a guard for a caravan headed to Riga, a neighboring station. Along the way, the crew is incapacitated by a psychic attack, but Artyom is not affected. After the caravan reaches safety, Artyom meets Bourbon, a smuggler who offers to take him to Polis. The two make their way through several stations and tunnels, and even pass through the surface of Moscow itself, before Bourbon is killed by bandits. A traveler named Khan then rescues Artyom. After escorting Artyom through haunted tunnels and an embattled station, Khan advises Artyom to meet his contact Andrew the Blacksmith, who lives under the control of the Red Line, a Stalinist regime. With Andrew's help, Artyom sneaks out of Red Line territory but is subsequently captured by their enemies, the neo-Nazi Fourth Reich.

Artyom is rescued from execution by two Rangers, Pavel and Ulman, before Pavel eventually dies escorting Artyom out of Reich territory. Now travelling alone, Artyom comes across a group of survivors trying to stop a mutant horde from reaching Polis. Although they fail, Artyom manages to rescue a young boy before they escape, and the defenders help Artyom reach the surface. There he reunites with Ulman, who takes him to meet Miller, the colonel of the Rangers in Polis.

The Polis governing council ultimately refuses to help Exhibition. But Miller tells Artyom his back-up plan: a missile silo known as D6 that could destroy the Dark Ones' hive in the Botanical Gardens. To find a way to D6, Miller tells Artyom to meet him at the Moscow State Library to search for a map. As he makes his way to the library, Artyom is forced to continue alone while avoiding mutants. He eventually finds a map and flees with the help of both Miller and Ulman. They recruit Artyom as a Ranger, who joins an operation to locate and reactivate the D6 command center. After their success, Artyom and Miller climb Ostankino Tower to install a laser guidance system. Soon after, Artyom experiences a vivid hallucination induced by a Dark One.

After the hallucination, there are two possible endings depending on the player's choices throughout the game. In the canonical ending, Artyom allows the missiles to fire, destroying the Dark Ones. The alternate ending gives Artyom the choice to destroy the laser guidance device, citing a last-minute realization that the Dark Ones were using the hallucinations to make peaceful contact. This ending is only available if the player has performed certain compassionate acts, such as helping fellow humans and not fleeing the Dark Ones in various hallucinations.

Development

Dmitry Glukhovsky, the author of Metro 2033

Metro 2033 was developed by Ukrainian studio 4A Games, founded around 2005. The founders had worked at GSC Game World, previously Ukraine's only major game studio, and creators of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. After the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R, Andrew Prokhorov left GSC due to disagreements with management, helping to found 4A Games as director. GSC's chief executive officer also fired the entire art team after S.T.A.L.K.E.R was released, and nearly all employees came to work at 4A.

The game is based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novel of the same name. Glukhovsky was inspired by the books of Roger Zelazny and Ray Bradbury, as well as the first Fallout game. Years before Glukhovsky was offered a book publishing deal in 2005, he uploaded the manuscript of the novel to his personal website, leading a number of game studios to approach him for a potential adaptation of his work. Glukhovsky was open-minded about studios creating new chapters in his Metro series, describing this as "as much of an honor as getting the book screened and turned into a movie", and hoping that this would grow the audience for his fiction. He also felt that a game adaptation would allow him to focus on other projects, leaving the Metro universe in the careful custody of other artists.

Glukhovsky ultimately chose 4A Games because they shared an "Eastern European mindset", both having a first-hand understanding of the collapse of the Soviet Union. He was also impressed with the team's previous work, as well as their pitch to adapt Metro as a first-person shooter, since the book reveals the thoughts of the protagonists (though it is written in the third-person). Glukhovsky gave 4A a lot of creative freedom, while ensuring that the game was true to his story, themes, and meaning, even rewriting the dialog for the Russian version of the game. According to Glukhovsky, the main theme of Metro 2033 is xenophobia, particularly the human reaction to the mysterious Dark Ones. Glukhovsky also saw it as a coming of age story for protagonist Arytom, as a young man trying to find the meaning of his life. The game does feature political satire and social criticism, particularly about modern Russia, but this was not intended as the game's focus. The game differs from the book by offering two endings, which Glukhovsky felt was an interesting choice to give the player.

The game utilizes 4A Engine, a proprietary game engine developed by 4A Games. It was developed by programmers Oles Shishkovtsov and Oleksandr Maksimchuk, who had previously worked on the X-Ray engine for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. Grygorovych accused 4A Games of using the pre-release versions of the X-Ray engine, but Shishkovtsov responded by refuting this. First, the GSC engine did not work on home consoles, whereas the 4A Engine was designed with this in mind. Shishkovtsov also described how the 4A Engine began as a pet project due to his frustrations with the X-Ray engine, before expanding his project with the 4A Games team.

The studio's goal was to focus on atmosphere and story, having been largely inspired by Half-Life 2. They hoped that their narrative focus would help the game stand out from other post-apocalyptic titles like S.T.A.L.K.E.R and Fallout. According to producer Huw Beynon, their aim was for every scene to contribute to the game's narrative, describing this as "cinematic". Since it was not practical to turn every major plot point into a cutscene, the studio instead strove to create an immersive atmosphere by using both environmental storytelling and incidental conversations. For instance, non-playable characters have their own daily routines and frequently gossip with each other. The team also included a lot of quieter non-combat moments, to improve the game's variety, pacing, and sense of discovery. The team decided to keep the HUD minimalistic, to keep the player immersed in the game world with fewer distractions. Instead, the game puts many of its cues in the environment, such as the player viewing their objectives by physically opening Artyom's journal. The team also focused their resources exclusively on the single-player experience, deliberately avoiding any multiplayer component.

Marketing and release

In August 2006, 4A Games first announced the game as Metro 2033: The Last Refuge, for both PC and PlayStation 3. THQ's Dean Sharpe saw early footage of the game at a trade show, incidentally around the time that Sharpe was also promoting S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. Sharpe was impressed with 4A's work and convinced THQ to become their publisher, which later led him to join 4A Games as CEO. THQ officially announced the partnership in October 2009, revealing the now-renamed game Metro 2033 for both PC and Xbox 360. The decision to skip PlayStation 3 was a business decision for THQ, and not a technical limitation. Metro 2033 was marketed on Steam by offering Red Faction: Guerrilla with pre-orders. THQ also released a Limited Edition for the game, including the game disc, four art cards, and a replica of an in-game automatic shotgun.

The game was released on 16 March 2010 in North America, and 19 March 2010 in Europe. Immediately after the game's release, the studio announced that it had begun developing downloadable content for Metro 2033. The content was later revealed to as the "Ranger pack", which added two new weapons, as well as a Ranger mode that removed the HUD, and reduced the ammunition supply while boosting damage. The pack was released on 3 August 2010.

Reflecting on the game a year after release, THQ's Vice-President Danny Bilson admitted that the game was not "properly supported in all areas", singling out problems with product development and marketing. Bilson also described the game as "an orphan stepchild", as the publishing agreement with 4A Games was signed late in development, leaving less time to properly market the title before release.

2033 Redux

On 22 May 2014, a remastered version titled Metro 2033 Redux was announced, featuring updates to the 4A Engine from the development of the sequel, Metro: Last Light. This led to graphical changes such as improved lighting, animations, and particle effects, as well as dynamic weather. This also allowed gameplay changes from Last Light, including improved controls, combat, stealth mechanics, and artificial intelligence. This also added Last Light's features to 2033, such as silent takedowns, customized weapons, and the ability to wipe gas masks. The Redux version was released on 26 August 2014 in North America, and 29 August 2014 in Europe for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The remastered version also led to a compilation package with both 2033 Redux and Last Light Redux, under the cumulative title of Metro Redux. The remastered versions of the two games were published by Deep Silver. A demo of 2033 Redux, which allows players to play through the first one-third of the game, was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 2 June 2015. Metro 2033 Redux was later released for the Nintendo Switch on 28 February 2020 and on Stadia on 23 June 2020.

Reception

Critical reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
MetacriticPC: 81/100
X360: 77/100
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comC+
Destructoid8/10
Eurogamer8/10
Game Informer9/10
GamePro3.5/5
GameSpot8/10
GamesRadar+
GameTrailers7.8/10
Giant Bomb
IGNOriginal: 6.9/10 Redux: 8.6/10
Joystiq
VideoGamer.com7/10

Metro 2033 received "generally favorable reviews", according to review aggregator Metacritic. Most critics agreed that the game was a compelling and engrossing experience undermined by inadequate gameplay systems and poor artificial intelligence.

During the 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Metro 2033 for "Outstanding Achievement in Story" and "Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering".

The game's story and pacing received acclaim from critics. Phil Kollar from Game Informer praised the main campaign's variety of scenarios and set-pieces, especially the climax of the game's story. Eurogamer's Jim Rossignol also liked the campaign's variety and cinematic sequences, highlighting how "the action is expertly punctuated with unexpected experiences". Justin McElroy from Joystiq also liked the story, praising the characters as likeable for their courage and resilience. IGN's Ryan Clements felt that the game included "interesting sights and sounds", that the game suffered from bland characters and a "clumsy" story. Jim Sterling from Destructoid felt that the story was "decent" and the themes were "intruiging" and "powerful", but expressed disappointment that it was not as fleshed out as the source materials. GamePro's Tae K. Kim felt that there was not enough context for an otherwise strong backstory, as he "never fully understood the world", making the game an awkward entry point to the fiction of the novel.

The atmosphere was often considered one of the game's highlights. Matthew Pellett from GamesRadar described the setting as "evocative", and compared the game favourably to BioShock and Half-Life 2. Writing for GameSpot, Chris Waters praised the atmosphere as "oppressive", and that the "relentless gloom can begin to wear you down". The dialogue between non-playable characters was often praised for making the game world more immersive. McElroy highlighted details such as the wristwatch and battery pump for adding to the sense of immersion. Rossignol described the game world as one that is "heaving with apocalyptic detail", and praised the gas masks for inducing a "claustrophobic feeling". Sterling felt that the game's unforgiving gameplay also facilitated players immersion. He added that 2033 was "one of the most traditional survival horrors to be seen in years", as players must survive the tunnels with a bare minimum of resources, making the experience more intense and frightening. Kim also praised the 4A Engine for "bringing this desolate and sad world to life", and applauded the developers' effort to interweave gameplay with the narrative. Tom Orry from VideoGamer.com also applauded the game for its visuals and immersion, but criticized the game's linearity and loading screens.

Critics had more mixed opinions for the gameplay. Waters praised the game for rewarding players for exploration, as well as the game's diversity of weapons. However, Kollar felt that the weapons were not interesting enough. Rossignol liked the scarce ammunition and survivalist elements of combat, but felt that the inaccuracy of the aiming system was frustrating. Kollar agreed that the aiming and the control was too loose. Sterling also analyzed the combat, expressing that it was better as a survival game than an action game. Sterling and Clements criticized the stealth mechanics for bugs, with McElroy remarking that enemies become invincible during certain animations. Reviewers also criticized the game's artificial intelligence, as well as the game's lack of replay value.

The Redux version received a much more positive reception from critics. They heavily praised the game's overall atmosphere but especially the enhanced gameplay and graphical update with IGN's Mike Reparaz saying "Redux is overall a much smoother, more enjoyable, and better-looking way to experience Metro 2033."

Sales

Metro 2033 was the fifth best-selling retail game in the UK in its week of release, beaten by fellow new release God of War III and titles including Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Final Fantasy XIII and Just Dance. THQ described the game as "very profitable" for the company. CEO for THQ, Brain Farrell, added that due to the low cost of development in Eastern Europe, modest level of sales would already guarantee Metro 2033 as a commercial success. The game was significantly more popular in Europe than North America. In June 2012, it was revealed that the game had sold more than 1.5 million copies. While the exact sales of the game have not been revealed, Deep Silver announced that the Metro Redux collection sold more than 1.5 million copies in April 2015.

Sequels

The sequel Metro: Last Light was released in 2013. The story continues the events from the original game, and does not follow any direct storylines from the book Metro 2034. Deep Silver acquired the publishing rights from THQ after they declared bankruptcy. A third instalment, Metro Exodus, was released in 2019.

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External links

Metro by Dmitry Glukhovsky
Novels
Games
Related4A Games
Embracer Group
List of video games (Deep Silver, Prime Matter, Ravenscourt, Saber Interactive, THQ Nordic) / List of mergers and acquisitions (THQ Nordic)
THQ Nordic
Plaion
Coffee Stain
Amplifier Game Invest
Deca Games
Asmodee
Dark Horse Media
Freemode
CDE Entertainment
Other assets
Former assets

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