Metro 2033
Metro 2033 is a first-person shooter with survival horror elements, based on the Russian book of the same name by Dmitry Glukhovsky. Most of the game takes place underground, but several times Artyom will have to venture outside, into the perpetual nuclear winter. Game progression is fairly linear, though areas may be explored more thoroughly for items and ammunition. Setpieces include a few on-rails sequences, missions that involve defending a location from an onslaught of monsters, and others. A few stages can be completed in a stealthy fashion.
What it feels like
The perpetual nuclear winter, cramped underground metro tunnels, and constant danger of mutants create a heavy, suffocating atmosphere. A slow-building anticipatory fear permeates exploration of dark tunnels and ventures to the toxic surface, where danger lurks unseen. The mood is grave and subdued, reflecting the collapse of civilization and the struggle for human survival in darkness.
What it's about
The game is set in post-nuclear-apocalypse Moscow with a poisoned surface and underground subway survival as the core setting. Survival against a hostile environment—underground, with mutants, resource scarcity, and the toxic surface—drives the core experience. Survival horror elements and mutant encounters create frightening, disturbing moments as a significant part of the experience.
How it plays
Aiming and firing ranged weapons against mutants and hostile humans is central to moment-to-moment combat and survival. Ammunition and items are scarce resources the player must gather and manage carefully to survive. The summary explicitly notes that several stages can be completed in a stealthy fashion, making stealth avoidance a meaningful tactical option.
How it looks and sounds
The game is explicitly a first-person shooter where the world is seen directly through the player character Artyom's eyes throughout most of the experience. The visuals emphasize worn, grimy underground infrastructure, rust, decay, and the harsh realism of post-apocalyptic survival. The atmospheric soundtrack emphasizes mood and environmental dread over melody, supporting the oppressive survival horror tone.
How it's structured
The game is designed and described as single-player only with no multiplayer component. Game progression is described as fairly linear, with discrete stages and setpieces progressing in a mostly fixed order. Although progression is linear, areas can be explored more thoroughly for items and ammunition, suggesting some spatial breadth within the linear spine.
Kindred games
Shares Post-Apocalyptic, First-Person, Survival Against Nature, Gunplay.
Both lean into Post-Apocalyptic, First-Person, Survival Against Nature, Single-Player.
Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Post-Apocalyptic, Oppressive.
Both lean into First-Person, Single-Player, Gunplay, Post-Apocalyptic.
Shares First-Person, Gunplay, Survival Against Nature, Post-Apocalyptic.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Survival Against Nature, Resource Management.
See all games like Metro 2033 →
Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — First-Person, Gunplay, Survival Against Nature, Horror. 96% positive across 4,352 Steam reviews.
Both lean into First-Person, Single-Player, Gunplay, Horror.
A lesser-known kindred — First-Person, Gunplay, Linear Levels, Survival Against Nature. 96% positive across 4,402 Steam reviews.
Both lean into First-Person, Gunplay, Single-Player, Linear Levels.
A lesser-known kindred — First-Person, Gritty, Dread, Linear Levels. 87% positive across 4,350 Steam reviews.
Both lean into First-Person, Single-Player, Gritty, Dread.