The year is 2033. The world has been destroyed by nuclear war, and the only survivors are those who happened to be inside the Moscow Metro during the missile strikes. Among them is Artyom, who was not even five years old on the Last Day. Twenty years later, he lives at VDNKh station — the last inhabited stop on its line. Artyom dreams that one day humanity will return to the surface, but a terrifying threat is growing.

From the contaminated surface, mysterious creatures known as the Dark Ones begin to infiltrate the Metro. They possess the power to invade human minds and instill paralyzing fear. To save his home — and the entire Metro — Artyom must embark on a perilous journey through tunnels and stations in search of an ancient weapon that may hold the key to defeating the monsters.

The video game « Metro 2033 », based on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novel of the same name, launched what is now a cult-classic game series. Developed by the Ukrainian studio 4A Games, the collaboration with Glukhovsky has continued for over two decades — and endures even amid the ongoing Russian–Ukrainian war.

The year is 2034. Human civilization has been nearly wiped out by the nuclear fire of the Last War. The Earth’s surface is uninhabitable. Artyom, who saved the Metro from the Dark Ones, has been honored with induction into the Spartan Order — an elite fighting force sworn to protect the Metro’s survivors at any cost.

But this time, the threat does not come from mutants on the surface — it comes from other humans. No lessons have been learned from the Last War. Even underground, humanity continues to wage senseless civil wars: tiny state against tiny state, fascists against communists, station against station, brother against brother… The Spartan Order must choose a side and prevent the looming catastrophe. That can only happen if its members are willing to reckon with the mistakes of the past.

The events of « Metro: Last Light » unfold in parallel with the storyline of the novel « Metro 2034 ». Unlike the book, the game once again centers on Artyom and his transformation — from a naïve idealist into a battle-hardened warrior. In this way, the « Metro » video games and novels diverge in plot and evolve into a transmedia saga — one whose parts do not simply repeat one another, but instead complement and expand the universe. To fully immerse yourself in the story, you need both to read the novels and play the games.

Artyom and a select group of Spartan Order fighters break free from the Metro and embark on a journey across the radioactive wastelands of Russia aboard a heavily modified steam locomotive called « Aurora », traveling the Trans-Siberian Railway in search of a new home. Outside the Metro, life does exist — but this discovery, first made by Artyom in the novel « Metro 2035 », comes at a heavy price: the price of his friendships with fellow Spartan soldiers, the love of his wife Anna, and his relationship with her father, the legendary Spartan commander Miller. Those who seem like friends may turn out to be enemies. Those who appear to be enemies may be phantoms. And what once seemed like the meaning of life may reveal itself as an illusion. Where is « Aurora » truly headed?

« Metro Exodus » is the third and most expansive installment in the « Metro » video game series. It continues both the story of « Metro: Last Light » and the narrative of the novel « Metro 2035 ». Dmitry Glukhovsky collaborated with the Ukrainian studio 4A Games on the game’s script and dialogue.

Khan — the wandering mystic and philosopher from « Metro 2033 » — is one of the saga’s most significant and enigmatic characters. Able to perceive what others cannot, convinced that nothing truly dies in the Metro, and believing in what seems impossible to everyone else, Khan has often guided Artyom toward the truth. « Metro Awakening » tells Khan’s story — his origins and his transformation. The game’s narrative begins long before the events of « Metro 2033 », serving as a prequel that explores the unseen history of the Metro universe.

Harnessing the immersive power of virtual reality, « Metro Awakening » draws players deep into Khan’s perception of the world. They travel not only from station to station in search of his missing wife, but also between the realm of the visible and that of the unseen — encountering forces and phenomena beyond ordinary human understanding.

The story for « Metro Awakening » was written by Dmitry Glukhovsky in collaboration with Dutch developer Vertigo Games. The game was nominated for Best VR Game at The Game Awards.