Which Metro Game Is First?

Which Metro Game Is First?

Okay, let’s talk about the Metro games! You might be wondering, “Which one do I play first?” It can get a little confusing because there are different stories and orders to think about. We’re going to break it down so it’s super easy to understand. This series of games is based on a set of awesome books by Dmitry Glukhovsky, and they take you into a post-apocalyptic world, mostly in the Moscow subway system. They’re full of scary creatures and tough choices, and each game takes you deeper into the story.

The Chronological Order vs. Release Order

The first thing we need to understand is that the order in which the games came out isn’t the same as the order of events in the story. Think of it like watching a movie series, sometimes you see a prequel that was released later than the original. With Metro, it’s similar! Let’s look at both ways of understanding the order.

Release Date Order: How the Games Came Out

This is probably the way most people first met the Metro world. Here is the order of the games as they were published:

• Metro 2033 (2010): This game started it all. You play as Artyom and experience the world after a nuclear war. It focuses on the tunnels of Moscow and the dangers within.
• Metro: Last Light (2013): This game continues Artyom’s adventure. It expands on the story of the first game, introducing more factions and challenges.
• Metro Exodus (2019): This game takes Artyom outside the subway! You travel across Russia on a train, facing new environments and enemies.

Many players jumped into the series through this order. If you’re not worried about playing in the story order, it’s a good starting point.

Chronological Order: Story Order

This order follows the story as it happens within the game world. It goes like this:

1. Metro 2033: This game is first in the story, just like it was the first to be released. Artyom’s journey begins here.
2. Metro: Last Light: This game comes next in the story, picking up where Metro 2033 ends.
3. Metro Exodus: The last story entry for Artyom’s current saga. This game follows after the events of Metro: Last Light and has a major time jump.

The story unfolds in a linear fashion within the games. Therefore, this order might be more satisfying if you’re very interested in the narrative.

Why Start with Metro 2033?

You should start with Metro 2033 if you want to fully understand the world, Artyom’s motivations, and all the different factions within the Metro. It sets the stage for the next games. It introduces important characters and concepts. The events that happen in Metro 2033 have an impact on Last Light and Exodus.

Setting the Stage: World and Characters

Metro 2033 places you right in the heart of post-nuclear Moscow. You’ll see how people adapted to living underground. You will meet the Rangers and other groups who are trying to survive. You’ll also encounter terrifying mutants and dangerous enemies that lurk in the darkness of the tunnels. The story introduces us to Artyom, a young man who receives an important mission that drives the plot of the game and the series. You can see his growth as the games go forward.

Understanding Factions and Lore

The game introduces the different factions of the Metro. From the peaceful traders to the communist Reds to the fascist Fourth Reich, you get to see the conflict and diversity within the remaining human population. You’ll get to understand these groups and how they act in the different games. You also start to understand the dangers of the world through Artyom’s eyes.

Building the Foundation for Later Games

Metro 2033 sets up the plot points and character arcs for Last Light and Exodus. You need to play Metro 2033 to know what the second game is referencing and why Artyom’s story is so important. This helps make the story more meaningful as you go through each game.

Diving Deeper into Metro 2033

Let’s delve a little deeper into what makes Metro 2033 so special and why it’s the ideal starting point.

The Story of Artyom: A Journey from VDNKh

You play as Artyom, a young man who grew up in the subway station of VDNKh. The story starts when Artyom is asked to go on a dangerous mission to help his home station. He must travel through dangerous tunnels and find help from the Rangers. The game focuses on his personal journey and the challenges he faces. It’s a great way to connect with the story. The game doesn’t just throw you into action, it slowly shows you the dangers and the story of the world.

Gameplay Mechanics and the Atmosphere

Metro 2033 is not like a typical shooter game. Ammo is scarce, and stealth is often more useful than going in guns blazing. The game’s environment is dark and claustrophobic, which adds to the tension and scariness. It has a unique gameplay style that makes the experience unforgettable. The use of light and shadow, along with the sound design, makes the game feel very realistic and immersive.

The Importance of Choices

Even though Metro 2033 doesn’t have as many choices as Last Light, there are still some choices that can affect the game. These choices are important because they show the moral dilemmas of the characters. This also lets the player feel like their actions matter in the story. They can shape how the world views Artyom.

What About Metro: Last Light?

After you’ve played Metro 2033, you’ll be ready to play Metro: Last Light. This game builds on the first game in many ways.

Continuing Artyom’s Story

Last Light continues Artyom’s journey, starting after the ending of Metro 2033. You will see the results of the choices you made and the impact those choices have. Last Light dives deeper into the characters and factions, expanding on the world you were introduced to in 2033.

Improved Gameplay and More Complex Narrative

Last Light takes what Metro 2033 did well and improves on it. The combat feels more refined, there are more stealth options, and there’s a lot more story development. The game introduces new groups and enemies, making the world feel bigger and more dangerous. The choices you make in Last Light have a greater effect than in 2033, leading to multiple endings.

Moral Choices and Their Impact

Last Light places a strong focus on moral choices. The game’s morality system influences the outcome of the story. This means that your decisions matter and can lead to different story results and experiences. You need to think carefully about how to act in different situations.

Venturing Outside in Metro Exodus

Metro Exodus is different because it moves the action from the tunnels and into the wider world of Russia. It’s still very much part of the same story.

Artyom’s Journey Across Russia

Instead of going through tunnels, in Exodus you travel across the Russian landscape on a train. This is a big change and offers a different kind of exploration. You visit many new places, meet new people, and fight against new enemies. The world feels vast and more diverse than the previous two games.

Open World Elements

While it isn’t completely an open-world game, Exodus has more open environments to explore than Last Light and 2033. This allows you to go off the beaten path and discover extra content. It also offers more freedom in how you want to approach missions and fight against your foes.

Continuing Themes and Characters

Despite the change of scenery, Exodus continues with the same central themes and characters. It makes the world of Metro bigger, and it shows that the struggle for survival isn’t limited to Moscow. The characters you know and love from the previous games develop even more in Exodus.

Can You Skip a Metro Game?

While you could technically start with Last Light or Exodus, you might not fully understand the story. You will be missing out on crucial parts of the character development and the setting of the world. The story of the series flows together, and the previous games are very important. Each game is designed to give the player a new experience, all while building on the foundation of the previous games. Missing one game would mean missing out on part of the full story and the character development.

Understanding Character Development

The growth of Artyom and other characters is vital in the series. In Metro 2033, we see him as a young man starting on a journey. In Last Light, we see how he handles the burdens of his actions. By Exodus, we see him as a person who is leading others. If you start later in the series, you might not understand the change or context of the characters.

Building Emotional Connections

The game’s emotional connection is based on the player’s understanding of the world. The themes of loss, survival, and hope get stronger as the series continues. Skipping a game can make the experience less powerful. You might not fully appreciate why the characters act a certain way, or you might not understand the overall message of the game. The emotional beats of the story are very important and build off of the previous games.

Understanding the Lore

The games introduce different aspects of the Metro world bit by bit. Skipping ahead can leave you confused about the history, the different groups, or the monsters. Every game adds information and gives you a different layer of the world. Skipping games means missing parts of the puzzle. Starting with the first game allows you to fully appreciate the overall lore.

The Ideal Metro Experience: Starting with Metro 2033

To have the best experience with the Metro series, start with Metro 2033. It introduces you to the world, the characters, and the mechanics. You’ll be able to follow Artyom’s journey from start to finish. Each game will feel more fulfilling and meaningful if you play them in the right order.

Why It’s Worth Playing in Order

• You will understand the complete story and character development.
• You will appreciate how the game world is designed.
• You will be more invested in Artyom’s journey.
• The emotional impact of each game will be much stronger.

Think of it like reading a book series, you should start with the first book to follow the story from the beginning. The same idea applies to the Metro games. You will enjoy them more if you start from the very start of the saga.

Tips for Playing Metro 2033

Here are a few tips that will help you enjoy your start in the Metro series with Metro 2033:

• Be Patient: Metro 2033 has a different pace than most shooter games. Take your time, explore, and be cautious.
• Use Stealth: Sneaking around is often better than rushing into combat. Save your ammo.
• Conserve Ammo: Ammo is precious in the Metro. Use it wisely.
• Listen to the Dialogue: The conversations give you background and details about the world.
• Explore: There is a lot to find if you look around. Be curious and see what you can discover.

By being patient, smart, and exploratory you will have the best possible time exploring the world of Metro.

So, if you’re ready to step into the dark and scary world of the Moscow Metro, start with Metro 2033. You’ll be glad you did!