For a first playthrough, follow the story in this order: Metro 2033 Redux → Metro: Last Light Redux → Metro Exodus → The Two Colonels → Sam’s Story. Treat Metro Awakening as an optional VR prequel: play it after the trilogy if you want the original introduction to remain your entry point, or before Metro 2033 if fictional chronology matters more to you.
The recommended first-playthrough order
The Metro series is easiest to follow when you experience the central Artyom storyline in release-era narrative order, then move into the two expansions that continue or supplement Metro Exodus. Use this sequence:
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| Step | Game or expansion | Why it belongs here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metro 2033 Redux | Introduces the setting, characters and central storyline. |
| 2 | Metro: Last Light Redux | Continues the main story directly from Metro 2033. |
| 3 | Metro Exodus | Advances the trilogy’s main campaign beyond the earlier games. |
| 4 | The Two Colonels | First Exodus story expansion; play it after completing Exodus. |
| 5 | Sam’s Story | Second Exodus expansion, explicitly set after the events of Exodus. |
| 6 | Metro Awakening | Optional VR prequel; best saved for afterward on a first playthrough. |
This order keeps each game’s major revelations in the context intended by the series’ overall progression. It also prevents either Exodus expansion from appearing before you have finished the campaign it expands.
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Metro 2033 Redux establishes the foundation
Start with Metro 2033 Redux, rather than jumping directly to Exodus. It is the first chapter of the central Metro storyline and establishes the world, its conflicts and the perspective through which the later games make sense. The Redux edition is the practical modern choice when available: it is the edition named in the complete-series bundle and is the version generally intended for a current first playthrough.
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If you own an original release as well as Redux, you do not need to play both. Choose one version and continue to Last Light; playing two editions of the same chapter adds length without advancing the story.
Metro: Last Light Redux follows directly
After finishing Metro 2033, play Metro: Last Light Redux. The two games form the opening movement of the main narrative, so switching to an unrelated prequel or expansion at this point would interrupt character and plot continuity.
Last Light Redux is also the sensible edition for a new player when it is available. The complete-series bundle lists the Redux version, making it the clearest way to keep the first two games consistent. Finish the main Last Light campaign before deciding how much optional side content you want to play.
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Metro Exodus completes the main trilogy arc
Play Metro Exodus after Last Light Redux. Exodus is the third main game, and its campaign is the point at which the trilogy’s principal storyline should be considered complete before you move to the dedicated expansions.
Do not stop partway through Exodus to begin an expansion. Both named Exodus add-ons are designed to be understood after the base campaign, and starting them early can reveal information that the main game has not yet delivered.
When to play the Exodus DLC
Complete the Metro Exodus main campaign first, then play the expansions in this order:
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- The Two Colonels
- Sam’s Story
The Two Colonels
The Two Colonels is the first Exodus expansion in the recommended route. Placing it immediately after the main campaign lets you remain in the same narrative period before moving to the later standalone expansion.
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Sam’s Story
Play Sam’s Story after The Two Colonels. The official Metro/Deep Silver description calls it “The second Expansion for Metro Exodus” and says it takes place “after the events of Metro Exodus.” That wording makes the post-campaign placement unambiguous. It should not be your introduction to Exodus, and it should not precede The Two Colonels in a first playthrough.
Because Sam’s Story is the later of the two Exodus expansions in this route, finishing it gives you a clean endpoint for the main trilogy plus its named story add-ons.
What to do with Last Light’s optional DLC
Last Light Redux is listed in Steam discussion material as including previously released Last Light DLC. However, that material does not establish a definitive sequence for every optional mission or side episode.
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The safest first-playthrough approach is:
- Finish the main Metro: Last Light Redux campaign.
- Return to the optional Last Light content afterward.
- Play those side missions in any convenient order unless a specific in-game description gives you a reason to choose otherwise.
This keeps the principal campaign uninterrupted while still allowing you to see the additional material before moving on to Exodus. The recommendation is less prescriptive than the Exodus expansion order because no single authoritative sequence is established for every Last Light side mission.
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Where Metro Awakening fits
Metro Awakening is an optional VR prequel to Metro 2033. Its placement depends on whether you value narrative introduction or fictional chronology more than release-era discovery.
Best placement for newcomers
Play Awakening after Metro 2033, Last Light Redux, Exodus, The Two Colonels and Sam’s Story. This preserves the original Artyom-led trilogy as your introduction and leaves the prequel as a return to the setting once you understand the main arc.
Chronology-focused placement
If your priority is the fictional timeline, play Awakening before Metro 2033 Redux. The resulting order is:
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- Metro 2033 Redux
- Metro: Last Light Redux
- Metro Exodus
- The Two Colonels
- Sam’s Story
Choose this route only if you already have access to compatible VR hardware and specifically want the prequel first. Awakening is not required to understand the trilogy, and postponing it does not leave a gap in the main storyline.
Why the two routes are both valid
| Route | Order | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended first playthrough | 2033 Redux → Last Light Redux → Exodus → The Two Colonels → Sam’s Story → Awakening | Preserving the main trilogy’s introduction and release-era reveals. |
| Chronology-focused | Awakening → 2033 Redux → Last Light Redux → Exodus → The Two Colonels → Sam’s Story | Players who prioritize the fictional timeline and already have VR access. |
Which editions should you buy or install?
Use Redux for the first two games
When choosing between the original Metro 2033 and Last Light releases and their remastered counterparts, select Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux when available. Those are the editions named in the complete-series bundle and provide a straightforward, consistent starting point.
You do not need to own both the original and Redux editions to follow the story. Buying or installing both is useful only if you have a separate reason to compare versions; it is not part of the recommended play order.
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Exodus Gold Edition
Metro Exodus Gold Edition contains the Exodus game and both named story expansions, The Two Colonels and Sam’s Story. If you choose this edition, install or launch the add-ons only after completing the base campaign so that the content appears in the intended sequence.
Metro Saga Bundle
The Metro Saga Bundle is the direct complete-series purchase path described for this lineup. It lists Metro 2033 Redux, Metro: Last Light Redux and Metro Exodus Gold Edition together, so it covers the three main games and both Exodus expansions in one package.
Store catalogs can differ by platform, region and edition. Before buying, check the product page for the exact platform, included items and current availability. A bundle name alone should not be treated as proof that every version or language is offered on your system.
A practical first-playthrough checklist
- Confirm your editions. Install Redux versions of Metro 2033 and Last Light where available. Verify that your Exodus edition includes The Two Colonels and Sam’s Story if you expect both expansions.
- Begin with Metro 2033 Redux. Treat it as the narrative and setting introduction rather than starting with a prequel or Exodus.
- Move directly to Last Light Redux. Finish its main campaign before spending time on optional side missions.
- Complete the Exodus campaign. Do not launch either Exodus expansion while the base story is still unfinished.
- Play The Two Colonels. This is the first Exodus add-on in the recommended sequence.
- Play Sam’s Story. It is the second Exodus expansion and follows the events of the main game.
- Add Awakening if wanted. Save the VR prequel for last on a newcomer route, or move it to the front only when fictional chronology is your priority.
Common ordering mistakes
Starting with Exodus
Exodus is the third main game, not a standalone entry point in the recommended route. Starting there skips the setup delivered by Metro 2033 and Last Light and can make the trilogy’s progression harder to follow.
Playing Sam’s Story before the campaign
Sam’s Story is explicitly set after Metro Exodus. Launching it first reverses the expansion’s intended context, so complete the base game and The Two Colonels before it.
Putting Awakening first automatically
Awakening is a prequel, but chronological setting and ideal introduction are different choices. Newcomers generally benefit from meeting the world through the main trilogy first; chronology-focused players can choose the VR prequel opening instead.
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Assuming every Last Light side mission has a fixed order
The available listing confirms that Last Light Redux includes previously released DLC, but it does not define one authoritative order for every optional mission. Finish the main campaign, then use your own preference for the side content.
If you already own only part of the series
You own Metro 2033 Redux
Play it first, then obtain Last Light Redux before moving to Exodus. There is no need to restart Metro 2033 when you acquire the next game.
You own Last Light Redux but not Metro 2033
For the clearest introduction, add Metro 2033 Redux and play it first. If you decide to begin with Last Light, expect to encounter an ongoing storyline without the setup provided by the preceding chapter.
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You own Exodus only
You can play Exodus, but the recommended experience is to complete Metro 2033 Redux and Last Light Redux beforehand. If you proceed directly to Exodus, postpone both expansions until its main campaign is finished.
You own an Exodus bundle
Check whether it is Metro Exodus Gold Edition or the Metro Saga Bundle. Gold Edition covers Exodus and its two story expansions; the Saga Bundle adds Redux editions of the first two games. In either case, follow the same story order rather than the order in which download tiles appear in your library.
Final route at a glance
For most players, the complete path is Metro 2033 Redux, Metro: Last Light Redux, Metro Exodus, The Two Colonels, Sam’s Story, then Metro Awakening. The only deliberate variation is moving Awakening to the beginning when you want fictional chronology and have the required VR setup. Keep the trilogy intact, finish Exodus before its add-ons, and treat Last Light’s optional DLC as post-campaign side content.
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