Metro 2033 Redux is having a birthday to remember. Marking 15 years of the apocalyptic survival FPS series, developer 4A Games and publisher Deep Silver gave away copies of the original game's remastered edition, and it's had a surprisingly big impact. Previously peaking at just under 15,000 active players back in 2018, Metro 2033 has just reached a new high of more than 50,000 concurrent users on the Valve platform, and it's looking likely to continue that success for a third day straight as players discover its charm.
The bad news is that you've missed your chance to jump on the free giveaway that is likely responsible for Metro 2033 Redux flying up Steam's charts. The good news is that you still have a chance to get the remaster of this magnificent 2010 FPS for just under $3 thanks to an ongoing Steam sale, so you can join in with its huge, newfound audience.
For those of you who missed the original (and the polished-up Redux edition that first launched in 2014) it might still be the most distinctive of the series. While later entries Last Light and Exodus feel a little more traditional and all-out, the original has a tremendous sense of place, dipping more into the realms of horror and survival games. 4A Games, founded by former GSC developers, brought their experience from Stalker to the table, and it certainly shows in the tense encounter design.
The vast majority of Metro 2033 traps you in the Moscow Metro, 20 years on from a devastating nuclear war. The labyrinthine tunnel network has become society's new home, offering some measure of protection from the irradiated, mutant-strewn wasteland above. Light is in limited supply and you'll frequently find yourself reaching for a torch to navigate, although sometimes it's safer to stay in the dark.
Metro 2033's most famous and memorable dynamic comes in the form of its ammunition. This is in constant short supply. The powerful, military-grade 5.45 x 39mm rounds are so sought after that they also function as the game's main currency. This creates a thrilling conflict whereby combat literally costs money, an effect only amplified by the minimal HUD, that demands you manually inspect your weapons to check how many bullets are currently in your magazine.
It's a delight to see such a resurgence for Metro 2033 - its new record of more than 50,000 active users has dramatically eclipsed anything the series has achieved before, even including previous giveaways. As mentioned, while the free deal is gone, you can still grab the game at a tremendous discount in an ongoing Steam sale if you're quick, and it's certainly well worth the asking price.
Metro 200 Redux is 85% off on Steam until Monday April 21, meaning you'll pay just $2.99 / £2.66 for your copy. Grab it right here if you're ready to go underground.
If you love a spot of tension, the best horror games will keep you on the edge of your seat. For more throwback essentials, take a look through the best classic PC games you can still play in 2025.
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