Metro 2033 Redux, an underrated horror shooter that's garnered quite a cult following, is now available to claim and keep for free on PC. The Metro series has long existed on the fringes of pop culture, as 4A Games' titles have pulled in plenty of critical acclaim and yet have never become mainstream hits like genre titans Resident Evil or Bioshock. Fortunately, the series has performed well enough to establish an entire trilogy and a VR spinoff, so those who have yet to explore the irradiated tunnels of the Metro have plenty of content to enjoy.

On Steam and GOG, players can pick up a copy of Metro 2033 Redux for free, but the window to do so is closing rapidly: The offer officially ends on April 16, 11 am ET, 8 am PT, and 5 pm CET. The sale is being held in honor of the game's 15th anniversary as 4A Games celebrates the original's legacy by handing it out to anyone who has not played it. The rest of the franchise is also deeply discounted, so those who enjoy Metro 2033 Redux can also check out the sequels: Metro: Last Light and Metro: Exodus​​​​​​.

Metro 2033 Still Holds Up Today

It's An Excellent Shooter

When Metro 2033 released in 2010, it was a breath of fresh air for a genre that had become oversaturated with explosive, semi-realistic shooters. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where a nuclear catastrophe forced the country of Russia to set up a new civilization within the underground railways, 4A Games made the experience far slower than many were used to. Ammo is scarce, and the different human factions scraping out a life underground are the least of players' worries as the Metro hides some particularly sinister creatures.

That emphasis on methodical combat and scavenging for resources creates a tense loop that has players constantly bracing to see what horror awaits around the next darkened corner. In of gameplay, Metro 2033 has aged very well: It's still fun 15 years later thanks to its excellent combat and atmosphere. The Redux version simply improves upon the original by rebuilding everything in an upgraded version of the 4A Engine that brings with it better lighting, physics, and dynamic weather effects.

Metro 2033 Deserves More Love

It's An Exceptional Horror Shooter

Having played Metro 2033 Redux a couple of times, I'd happily recommend it to anyone itching for a compelling horror experience. The claustrophobic environments and tense combat situations make for an exhilarating experience, one that's not really been captured by many other franchises. Given that it's free, there's no reason not to at least give it a try.

Source: Steam