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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11No. Deep Silver describes Metro 2039 as “a good jumping on point for new fans.” It has a new protagonist, The Stranger, and a new cast, so you are not expected to know Artyom’s history or to finish the earlier trilogy before starting.
The earlier games are still useful if you want more context for the Moscow Metro, the series’ factions and survival-combat traditions, or Artyom’s complete story. Your best route depends on whether you want to play the old games, understand their plot quickly, or simply begin with the new release.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Metro Redux - PlayStation 4 | $13.33 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Metro Redux - Nintendo Switch | $27.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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METRO EXODUS - Complete Edition (PS5) | $25.60 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Metro Redux (Nintendo Switch) | $29.68 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Metro Redux (Windows PC) | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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The short answer: Metro 2039 does not require the previous games
Deep Silver’s official FAQ directly addresses newcomers: despite the franchise’s 16-year history, Metro 2039 is “a good jumping on point for new fans, with a new protagonist and new cast of complex and compelling characters.” That makes the earlier games optional rather than prerequisites.
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Metro 2039 is the fourth mainline game developed by 4A Games, following Metro 2033 (2010), Metro: Last Light (2013) and Metro Exodus (2019). Being the fourth entry establishes its place in the series, but it does not mean you must complete the first three to understand its central story.
#1 Best Overall
- Immerse yourself in the Moscow Metro - witness one of the most atmospheric worlds in gaming brought to life with stunning next-gen visuals at 60FPS
- Brave the horrors of the Russian apocalypse - equip your gasmask and an arsenal of hand-made weaponry as you face the threat of deadly mutants, human foes, and the terrifying environment itself
- Rebuilt and Remastered for next gen - with all previous DLC content included, new modes and features, and many gameplay improvements, this is the definitive version of the critically acclaimed series that fans and newcomers alike will enjoy
- Two campaigns, and all DLC included - Metro Redux includes two complete campaigns that combine to create one epic adventure. With 10 hours of bonus content, that means 30+ hours of solo FPS gameplay just on one play-through
- Two unique Play Styles : 'Spartan' and 'Survival' - approach the campaign as a slow burn Survival Horror , or tackle it with the combat skills of a Spartan Ranger in these two unique modes
The publisher also calls it a brand-new entry with an original story from 4A Games, written in collaboration with Metro author Dmitry Glukhovsky. It is inspired by the world and stories he created rather than being an adaptation of one specific book.
What carries over from the older games
Starting fresh does not mean the new game is disconnected. Metro 2039 returns to the established Metro universe and to the Moscow Metro. Xbox Wire highlights recurring elements such as Nosalises and the familiar survival-combat design, while the publisher says longtime players will notice ties to the existing universe.
That continuity affects how much background you may want, not whether you can follow the new plot. The older games give you accumulated knowledge about the setting and its history. They can also make references, returning ideas and the atmosphere of the underground world more meaningful. However, the new lead and cast are intended to provide an independent entry point.
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The Stranger is not Artyom
Artyom is the protagonist of the previous trilogy. Metro 2039 instead introduces The Stranger, whom Xbox Wire describes as the series’ first fully voiced lead protagonist. Because the game is not asking you to resume Artyom’s personal journey, you do not need to know his decisions, relationships or past missions to understand who you are playing at the start.
Rank #2
- Immerse yourself in the Moscow Metro - witness One of the most atmospheric worlds in gaming brought to life on Nintendo Switch
- Brave the horrors of the Russian Apocalypse - equip your gasmask and an arsenal of hand-made weaponry as you face the threat of deadly mutants, human foes, and the terrifying environment itself
- Two campaigns, and all DLC included - Metro Redux includes two complete campaigns that combine to create One epic solo adventure, plus a further 10 hours of bonus content
- Two unique play styles: 'spartan' And 'survival' - approach the campaign as a slow burn survival horror, or tackle it with the combat skills of a spartan ranger in these two unique modes
Do you need to play Metro 2033 before Metro 2039?
No. Metro 2033 is the beginning of Artyom’s story, but it is not a required tutorial for Metro 2039. It follows Artyom, who was raised underground after the apocalypse, as he travels through the Moscow Metro and surface ruins on a mission that establishes the series’ setting and tone.
Playing it first is worthwhile if you want to see how the Metro world was introduced and why the underground communities matter. It is unnecessary if your only goal is to understand The Stranger’s new story. You can begin with Metro 2039 and return to Metro 2033 later without having approached the series in the wrong order.
Should you play Metro: Last Light first?
Also no. Metro: Last Light continues Artyom’s story in 2034 and expands the conflict around the D6 military facility. Its value before Metro 2039 is historical and contextual: it shows the next stage of the original protagonist’s arc and adds to your understanding of the series’ factions and post-apocalyptic politics.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf you skip it, you lose that part of Artyom’s journey, not the basic ability to follow the new game. For readers who want to play the earlier narrative in sequence, it belongs immediately after Metro 2033.
Rank #3
- Enhanced for PlayStation 5 - optimized for platform specific features including 60 FPS up to 4K resolution, Ray traced lighting and Dual sense haptic feedback support.
- Experience sandbox survival - flee the shattered ruins of Dead Moscow and follow a gripping story that links together classic Metro gameplay with huge, non-linear levels.
- Deadly combat and stealth - scavenge and craft in the field to customize your arsenal of hand-made weaponry, and engage human and mutant foes in thrilling tactical combat.
- Explore a hostile world - Embark on journey that spans an entire year through Spring, Summer and Autumn to the depths of nuclear Winter. Discover the Russian wilderness, brought to life with day/ night cycles and dynamic weather
Should you play Metro Exodus first?
Metro Exodus is optional as preparation for Metro 2039. Set in 2036, it follows Artyom and the Spartan Rangers as they leave the Moscow Metro for a journey across Russia. It is the latest completed chapter of the Artyom-era trilogy and therefore gives you the fullest pre-2039 experience of that protagonist.
It is the right choice if you want the complete earlier arc or prefer to experience the games in chronological story order. It is not a gate you must pass through before meeting The Stranger. Starting with Metro 2039 remains consistent with the publisher’s stated newcomer-friendly design.
The earlier games in story and release order
The three predecessor games line up in both the main release sequence and the story chronology:
| Game | Release year | Story year | What it contributes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro 2033 | 2010 | 2033 | Introduces Artyom, the underground communities, the Moscow Metro and the surface ruins. |
| Metro: Last Light | 2013 | 2034 | Continues Artyom’s story and centers on factional conflict over the D6 military facility. |
| Metro Exodus | 2019 | 2036 | Follows Artyom and the Spartan Rangers beyond the Moscow Metro across Russia. |
| Metro 2039 | Official FAQ currently lists 2027 | Not stated in the supplied official material | Introduces The Stranger and a new cast in an original story set in the established Metro universe. |
The listed Metro 2039 release date is February 4, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC through Steam, Epic Games Store and Xbox on PC. Release information can change, so check the publisher’s current FAQ or store listing when you are ready to buy.
Rank #4
- Two campaigns, and all DLC included - Metro Redux includes two complete campaigns that combine to create one epic solo adventure, plus a further 10 hours of bonus content. Two unique Play Styles and Ranger Mode add hours more replayability!
- Two unique Play Styles : 'Spartan' and 'Survival' - approach the campaign as a slow burn Survival Horror , or tackle it with the combat skills of a Spartan Ranger in these two unique modes
Choose your starting point by what you want from the series
There is no single correct order. Use the option that matches the experience you want:
| Your priority | Recommended route | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Play the new game as soon as possible | Start with Metro 2039 | The intended newcomer entry point, with no prerequisite playthrough. |
| Get the core background efficiently | Play Metro 2033 Redux, then Metro: Last Light Redux | The first two Artyom chapters in their definitive remastered versions. |
| Experience the complete Artyom-era arc | Metro 2033 → Metro: Last Light → Metro Exodus → Metro 2039 | The full prior trilogy before moving to The Stranger’s story. |
| Only need a plot refresher | Read the publisher’s “Story so far” summaries | Premise and chronology without committing to three full games. |
| Want the setting more than the old protagonist’s arc | Start with Metro 2039, then sample the earlier games later | Immediate access to the new story while leaving the older context for when you want it. |
Why Metro Redux is the efficient catch-up option
Deep Silver’s official “Story so far” page identifies Metro Redux as the ultimate double-game collection, containing the definitive versions of both Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light. If you want to play the first two chapters without purchasing or locating them separately, it is the most efficient catch-up package described by the publisher.
A practical catch-up sequence is:
- Play Metro 2033 Redux first, following Artyom’s introduction to the Metro and the surface.
- Continue with Metro: Last Light Redux to follow the 2034 continuation and D6 conflict.
- Decide whether you want Metro Exodus for the final part of Artyom’s trilogy.
- Move to Metro 2039 when it releases if you want the new protagonist and original story.
This route supplies the strongest background while avoiding a fragmented order. It is still a choice, not a requirement imposed by the new game.
What you miss if you start with Metro 2039
Starting with Metro 2039 means you will not have firsthand knowledge of:
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- Artyom’s rise from an underground survivor in Metro 2033.
- The 2034 continuation and D6-centered factional conflict in Metro: Last Light.
- The Spartan Rangers’ departure from Moscow and the wider Russian journey in Metro Exodus.
- How the earlier games developed the series’ recurring survival-combat style and its use of the Moscow Metro.
Those are losses of context and history, not stated barriers to comprehension. The publisher’s newcomer wording and the new lead are the evidence that the fourth game is designed to stand on its own.
How to prepare without playing three full games
If you have limited time, the publisher’s “Story so far” page is the fastest official refresher. Its summaries establish the three earlier settings and their chronology: Artyom’s 2033 mission in the Metro and surface ruins, the 2034 D6 conflict, and the 2036 journey across Russia with the Spartan Rangers.
That approach is appropriate when you want the broad premise but do not need every character moment or gameplay sequence. It also avoids assuming that a plot summary can reproduce the experience of the games themselves. Read the summaries for orientation, then start Metro 2039 without treating the skipped playthroughs as homework.
Is Metro 2039 a sequel?
It is a new mainline entry in the same Metro video-game franchise, so it has continuity with the established universe. It is not presented as a direct continuation of Artyom’s personal storyline. Deep Silver calls it an original story, and the game introduces The Stranger and a new cast. The most accurate description is a connected new chapter rather than a prerequisite-heavy direct sequel.
That distinction explains the two audiences the game is serving. New players receive a fresh lead and a clean entry point; returning players can recognize the setting, recurring threats and series identity.
Quick Recap
Bottom line for common questions
- “Do I need to play Metro 2033 first?” No; it is optional background.
- “Should I play Metro Exodus first?” Only if you want the complete Artyom-era arc or its wider Russian journey.
- “Can I start the series with Metro 2039?” Yes; the publisher explicitly presents it as a good starting point for new fans.
- “What should I play before the new one?” Nothing is required. Choose Metro Redux for an efficient two-game introduction, add Metro Exodus for the complete trilogy, or use the official story summaries for a quick refresher.
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