History of Metro 2033 (video game) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 13, 2026

Metro 2033 is a first-person shooter survival horror game set in the post-apocalyptic Moscow Metro. Based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novel, it follows Artyom, who must protect his station from threats within the tunnels. Players navigate dangerous environments, battling both human and mutant enemies using various firearms. The game features resource management, requiring players to maintain their gas mask in radiated areas, both underground and on the surface.

2005: 4A Games Founded

Around 2005, 4A Games, the developer of Metro 2033, was founded by former GSC Game World employees after disagreements with management following the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl.

2005: Glukhovsky Offered Book Deal

In 2005, Dmitry Glukhovsky was offered a book publishing deal. Before this, he uploaded the manuscript of the novel Metro 2033 to his personal website, leading game studios to approach him about adapting his work.

August 2006: Announcement of Metro 2033: The Last Refuge

In August 2006, 4A Games announced the game as Metro 2033: The Last Refuge for PC and PlayStation 3.

2006: Announcement of Metro 2033: The Last Refuge

In 2006, Metro 2033 was first announced as Metro 2033: The Last Refuge. This marked the debut title for 4A Games, who focused on storytelling and atmosphere, avoiding multiplayer gameplay. The game was powered by the studio's proprietary 4A Engine.

October 2009: THQ Partnership Announced

In October 2009, THQ officially announced their partnership with 4A Games, revealing the renamed game Metro 2033 for PC and Xbox 360.

March 2010: Release of Metro 2033

In March 2010, Metro 2033 was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360. It received positive reviews for its horror elements, detailed environments, and plot, but was criticized for bugs and AI. The game proved profitable, selling over 1.5 million copies by June 2012.

March 2010: Metro 2033 Game Release

Metro 2033 was released on March 16, 2010, in North America and on March 19, 2010, in Europe.

August 2010: Release of "Ranger Pack" DLC

In August 2010, the "Ranger pack" DLC for Metro 2033 was released, adding new weapons and a Ranger mode that enhanced difficulty by removing the HUD, reducing ammunition, and boosting damage.

2010: Metro 2033 Release

In 2010, Metro 2033, a first-person shooter survival horror video game developed by 4A Games and published by THQ, was released. The game, based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novel, is set in the Metro tunnels of Moscow after a nuclear war.

June 2012: Metro 2033 Sales Figures

By June 2012, Metro 2033 had sold more than 1.5 million copies, being described as "very profitable" for THQ due to low development costs in Eastern Europe.

2013: Metro: Last Light Release

In 2013, Metro: Last Light, the sequel to Metro 2033, was released. The game continues the story from the original and its publishing rights were acquired by Deep Silver from THQ after bankruptcy.

2013: Nuclear War Event

In 2013, a nuclear war devastated Earth, turning Moscow into a desolate wasteland and forcing survivors into the Metro system, where they face mutated animals, radiation, and conflicts between factions like Stalinists and Nazis.

2013: Release of Metro: Last Light

In 2013, a sequel, Metro: Last Light, was released. Deep Silver acquired the publishing rights after THQ's bankruptcy.

May 2014: Announcement of Metro 2033 Redux

On May 22, 2014, Metro 2033 Redux, a remastered version, was announced. It featured updates to the 4A Engine, graphical improvements, and gameplay changes from the sequel, Metro: Last Light.

August 2014: Release of Metro 2033 Redux

In August 2014, Metro 2033 Redux was released in North America on August 26 and in Europe on August 29 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It was also part of the Metro Redux compilation.

2014: Release of Metro 2033 Redux

In 2014, a remastered version, Metro 2033 Redux, was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It was also included in a compilation titled Metro Redux.

April 2015: Metro Redux Collection Sales Figures

In April 2015, Deep Silver announced that the Metro Redux collection had sold more than 1.5 million copies.

June 2015: Demo Release of Metro 2033 Redux

On June 2, 2015, a demo of Metro 2033 Redux was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, allowing players to experience the first third of the game.

2019: Metro Exodus Release

In 2019, Metro Exodus, the third installment in the Metro video game series, was released.

2019: Release of Metro Exodus

In 2019, Metro Exodus, the third installment in the series, was released.

February 2020: Metro 2033 Redux Nintendo Switch Release

On February 28, 2020, Metro 2033 Redux was released for the Nintendo Switch.

June 2020: Metro 2033 Redux Stadia Release

On June 23, 2020, Metro 2033 Redux was released on Stadia.

2033: Critical Acclaim for Metro 2033's Atmosphere

Critics praised Metro 2033's immersive atmosphere in 2033, highlighting its detailed setting, realistic dialogue, claustrophobic gas masks, and unforgiving survival horror gameplay.

2033: Nomination for Interactive Achievement Awards

During the 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards in 2033, Metro 2033 was nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Story" and "Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering".

2033: Metro 2033 Engine update

In 2033, Metro 2033 had updates to the 4A Engine from the development of the sequel, Metro: Last Light. This led to graphical changes.

2033: Reviews for Metro 2033

In 2033, Metro 2033 received "generally favorable reviews", according to review aggregator website Metacritic.

2033: Commercial Success

In 2033, Metro 2033 was the fifth best-selling retail game in the UK in its week of release.

2033: Positive Reception of Redux Version

In 2033, the Redux version of Metro 2033 received a more positive reception from critics, with praise for its enhanced gameplay and graphical updates.

2033: Dark Ones Attack Exhibition

In 2033, the northern station of VDNKh, called Exhibition, is attacked by the Dark Ones. Hunter asks Artyom to seek support in Polis, entrusting him with his dog tags.

2033: Setting of Metro 2033 game

Metro 2033 is set in 2033 within the tunnels of the Moscow Metro and the ruins of Moscow. The game features a linear single-player campaign with cutscenes.