GameTimeline

Release & story order

Metro timeline

Metro from 2033 through Exodus and the upcoming Metro 2039 (2027)—US release dates, in-universe chronology (2033–2039), and where Redux, expansion DLC, and the novels fit around Artyom's saga and the new protagonist in Moscow.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When 4A Games shipped each chapter—Metro 2033 (2010) through Exodus expansions (2020)—with Metro Redux (2014) as a release-history row for the dual remaster bundle, plus Metro 2039 planned for February 2027. Redux is not a third story chapter.

  • Newcomers → Metro Redux bundle (2033 + Last Light) then Metro Exodus Complete Edition
  • Release chronology → 2033 → Last Light → Redux bundle (2014 row) → Exodus → DLC → 2039
  • Play order → Redux bundle (2033 then Last Light inside it) or originals—never Redux between Last Light and Exodus
  • One sitting → Play Exodus main campaign first; add Sam's Story after the Siberia arc for best pacing
  • Catch up before 2039 → Redux + Exodus Complete Edition; Metro 2039 is designed as a new entry point but rewards legacy fans
Story order tips

Artyom's saga in fiction runs 2033–2036; Metro 2039 jumps to 2039 with a new protagonist returning to Moscow. The Two Colonels flashback sits between Last Light and Exodus; Sam's Story runs parallel to Exodus's second half.

  • Core arc: Metro 2033 (2033) → Last Light (2034) → The Two Colonels (2034 flashback) → Exodus (2036) → Sam's Story (2036, parallel) → Metro 2039 (2039)
  • Novels by Dmitry Glukhovsky inspired the games—reading order differs; games are the focus on this page
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—click to reveal them, or turn on Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Metro 2033

    Metro 2033

    PCXbox 360FPSMainline

    Artyom's first journey through the Moscow metro—mutants, factions, and D6.

    Overview
    4A Games adapted Glukhovsky's novel into a claustrophobic FPS—gas-mask tension, bullet currency, and moral choices at key points.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2033: Artyom leaves Polis to stop the Dark Ones threat, passing Hansa, Nazi, and Red Line stations.
    Should you play it?
    Essential starting point. Most players today buy Metro 2033 Redux inside the Redux bundle rather than this 2010 build.
    Release date
    US launch March 16, 2010 (PC, Xbox 360). PS4, Xbox One, and Switch builds came through Metro Redux (2014 row).
  2. Metro: Last Light

    Metro: Last Light

    PCPS3Xbox 360FPSMainline

    Direct sequel—Rangers, Red Line politics, and a stolen baby Dark One.

    Overview
    Expanded stealth and gunplay while keeping metro survival tone. Multiple endings return based on moral choices and optional side tasks.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2034: picks up after Metro 2033's ending branch; Khan, Miller, and Anna drive the Rangers vs Red Line conflict.
    Should you play it?
    Play immediately after Metro 2033—story assumes you finished the first game (either ending works with minor dialogue tweaks in Redux).
    Release date
    US launch May 14, 2013. Remastered in Metro Redux (2014)—see the 2014 row for bundle dates and platforms.
  3. Metro Redux

    Metro Redux

    PCPlayStation 4Xbox OneRemasterBundle

    Dual remaster pack—Metro 2033 Redux + Last Light Redux. Same stories as 2010/2013; not a new chapter to play between Last Light and Exodus.

    Overview
    4A rebuilt both metro chapters with 1080p/60 targets, reworked gunplay, and combined DLC from the original PC/console releases—many players' modern entry point.
    In-game setting
    Contains the same 2033 and 2034 story arcs as the first two mainline games—no new plot. Nintendo Switch ports arrived later (2018–2020).
    Should you play it?
    Release-order milestone only. At play time, use Redux instead of the 2010/2013 originals at the start—2033 Redux then Last Light Redux—then move to Exodus. Do not insert this row into your play sequence.
    Release date
    Metro 2033 Redux on PC May 14, 2014; Last Light Redux and the PS4/Xbox One Metro Redux bundle August 26, 2014 (US). Later on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch as separate Redux SKUs or the dual pack.
  4. Metro Exodus

    Metro Exodus

    PCPS4Xbox OneFPSMainlineOpen world

    Artyom leaves Moscow on the Aurora—open zones across Russia.

    Overview
    Semi-open sandbox levels between train chapters—spring, summer, autumn, and winter biomes with crafting and mutant hunting.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2036: Artyom, Anna, and Rangers flee the metro aboard Aurora toward Vladivostok and a livable east.
    Should you play it?
    Tone shift to surface travel—still linear chapters, not a full open-world RPG. Finish Last Light first.
    Release date
    US launch February 15, 2019. Enhanced Edition with ray tracing May 6, 2021 (PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5).
  5. Metro Exodus: The Two Colonels

    Metro Exodus: The Two Colonels

    PCPS4Xbox OneExpansionExpansion

    Flashback DLC—Colonel Khlebnikov at the flooded Baikal bunker.

    Overview
    Short linear chapter focused on flamethrower combat and a new protagonist tied to Last Light's D6 siege backstory.
    In-game setting
    Story 2034 flashback—events leading toward Metro: Last Light's climax, told from Colonel Khlebnikov's perspective.
    Should you play it?
    Optional but strong lore bridge—best after Last Light, before or after Exodus main campaign (Story order places it before Exodus).
    Release date
    US launch August 6, 2019. Part of Exodus Expansion Pass or Complete Edition.
  6. Metro Exodus: Sam's Story

    Metro Exodus: Sam's Story

    PCPS4Xbox OneExpansionExpansion

    Sam's route to Vladivostok—parallel to Exodus's finale.

    Overview
    Survival-focused open map around a flooded Vladivostok port—new side characters and a separate ending for Sam.
    In-game setting
    Story 2036: runs parallel to the second half of Metro Exodus while Artyom travels on Aurora—Sam seeks a submarine escape east.
    Should you play it?
    Play after reaching the Siberia portion of Exodus—or after credits for cleanest pacing. Not required to understand the main ending.
    Release date
    US launch February 11, 2020. Included in Expansion Pass / Complete Edition.
  7. Metro 2039

    Metro 2039

    PCPlayStation 5Xbox Series X/SFPSMainlineUpcoming

    Fourth mainline game—announced April 2026; planned February 2027.

    Overview
    New voiced protagonist The Stranger; return to Moscow metro tunnels under the Novoreich regime led by Hunter. Original story by 4A Games with Dmitry Glukhovsky—not adapted from a single novel.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2039: ~three years after Exodus. Survivors face propaganda, fear, and a renewed push toward the irradiated surface.
    Should you play it?
    Not released yet—dates and details may shift. Finish Exodus first for full saga context; Deep Silver says newcomers can start here.
    Release date
    Planned February 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic, Xbox on PC). Revealed at Xbox First Look, April 16, 2026.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Redux vs originals, DLC placement, novels, and optional spin-offs.

Release order

The three main story games—Metro 2033, Last Light, and Exodus—match in release and story order. Release order also lists Metro Redux (2014) as a remaster bundle row—it marks when the dual remaster shipped, not a third chapter to play between Last Light and Exodus. DLC differs on Story order: The Two Colonels (2034 flashback) and Sam's Story (2036, parallel to Exodus) reorder there. Metro 2039 is last in both (planned 2027). Use Release for purchase history; use Story for strict in-universe chronology.

Buy Metro Redux (2033 + Last Light remasters) then Metro Exodus Complete Edition (base game plus both expansions). Play 2033 → Last Light → Exodus main campaign → The Two Colonels (optional) → Sam's Story (optional). Metro 2039 is planned for February 2027—catch up on the trilogy first unless you treat 2039 as your entry point (official FAQ says it works for newcomers).

Story & lore

The Two Colonels is a flashback to 2034 during the Last Light era—play it after Last Light and before Exodus for story order, or anytime after Last Light if you already started Exodus. Sam's Story follows Sam in Vladivostok while Artyom's crew continues on Aurora—start it after the Caspian desert chapter in Exodus, or after the main campaign credits.

Redux & editions

Metro Redux remastered Metro 2033 and Last Light with improved graphics, gameplay tweaks, and bundled DLC from the originals—story unchanged. On Release order it has its own 2014 row between Last Light and Exodus for when the bundle shipped; that is not play order. Buy Redux at the start instead of the 2010/2013 originals on modern platforms, play 2033 Redux then Last Light Redux inside it, then Exodus. The originals remain for release-history collectors or legacy console libraries.

Optional & spin-offs

Metro 2039 is the fourth mainline Metro FPS from 4A Games and Deep Silver—announced April 2026 and planned for February 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The story is set in 2039, about three years after Metro Exodus, with a new protagonist called The Stranger returning to Moscow's metro under a fascist regime (Novoreich) led by Hunter. It is an original game story written with author Dmitry Glukhovsky, not a direct adaptation of his Metro 2035 novel. Release dates can change—check the official Deep Silver page before pre-ordering.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.