Metro 2033 Redux Is Free on GOG and Steam – A Perfect Excuse to Revisit the Underground

If you've somehow missed Metro 2033 Redux over the past decade, now’s the perfect time to catch up. As part of a limited-time promo, both GOG and Steam are giving away the remastered version of the iconic post-apocalyptic FPS for free, and it’s yours to keep forever. The deadline? April 16, 6PM GMT+3. Set a reminder.

Why should you care? First off, Metro 2033 Redux isn’t just some slightly upgraded version of an old game — it’s a full rebuild of the original 2010 cult classic using the vastly improved Metro: Last Light engine. That means tighter controls, better AI, dynamic weather effects, and much better lighting — all while preserving the tense, claustrophobic vibe that made the original so memorable.

This is the definitive edition of a game that kickstarted one of the most unique shooter franchises of the 2010s — a linear, story-driven FPS in a world where almost everything else is open world or sandbox.

What’s New in Redux?

Technically, Redux was more than a remaster — it was a reimagining. Here’s what’s upgraded compared to the original:

• New lighting system
• Advanced physics (with NVIDIA PhysX support)
• Dynamic weather and environment enhancements
• New stealth mechanics from Last Light
• Complete AI overhaul
• Runs smoothly on modern systems, including RTX 50 series GPUs

That last point matters more than you'd think. The original Metro 2033 and Last Light used 32-bit PhysX, which doesn’t play well with modern graphics cards, especially if you try to enable those old-school "advanced" effects. Redux, however, uses 64-bit PhysX, meaning it runs just fine on today’s hardware — even if you’re rocking a shiny new 5090.

Grab it on Steam

Also worth noting: the GOG version is completely DRM-free, which means you can back it up, mod it, and play it offline forever. But if you prefer the Steam ecosystem or want to flex your library, it’s free there too. Your call.

The Case for Linear Shooters

In a time when every other FPS feels like it’s gunning for the “next big open-world” title, Metro 2033 is refreshingly compact. It’s laser-focused, atmospheric, and doesn’t waste your time with fetch quests or filler.

"I kind of miss these games. I got really tired of all the open-world games," said John Papadopoulos (DSO Gaming), echoing a sentiment a lot of us quietly feel.

Metro 2033 Redux is a reminder that not every game needs to be a 100-hour collectathon. Sometimes, a tight 6–8 hour narrative with killer set pieces and grim storytelling is exactly what the doctor ordered.

More About the Metro Series

The Metro games are based on the bestselling novels by Dmitry Glukhovsky, and they blend survival horror, immersive sim mechanics, and rich Slavic sci-fi worldbuilding like no other franchise. The trilogy — Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, and Metro Exodus — takes you from the underground tunnels of post-nuclear Moscow to the devastated Russian wilderness.

Each entry builds on the previous one. Last Light expanded the combat and stealth mechanics, while Exodus took things in a semi-open-world direction — without losing the series’ sense of dread and isolation.

Despite not being as globally dominant as something like Call of Duty or Battlefield, Metro has carved out a loyal fanbase and critical respect. Metro Exodus, for instance, was one of the first games to show off real-time ray tracing with RTX hardware and remains one of the best-looking PC games to this day.

What About STALKER?

You can’t talk about Metro without bringing up its spiritual cousin — S.T.A.L.K.E.R.. Both franchises grew out of post-Soviet game development circles, and both tackle themes of survival, radiation, and existential dread. But where STALKER leans more into emergent gameplay and systemic sandbox chaos, Metro thrives on scripting, atmosphere, and narrative momentum.

That said, STALKER 2 is finally on the way after years of delays, and its launch could spark renewed interest in all things post-apocalyptic and Eastern European. So this free Metro drop is timed perfectly.

Whether you’re revisiting Metro 2033 Redux for nostalgia or diving in for the first time, now’s your chance to experience one of the most atmospheric shooters ever made — for free. No excuses. Just you, a gas mask, and the haunting echoes of the Moscow Metro.

Go on, take a ride through the tunnels. You’ll never look at subway stations the same way again.