A few traits have come to define the Metro franchise, like its snowy and bleak environments, monstrous creatures transformed by radiation, and light survival elements via limited mask filters and ammunition. Whether it’s the upcoming Metro 2039 game or the entries that preceded it, these elements have been crucial to creating the IP’s identity. And luckily for co-op gamers craving a Metro-like experience with friends, the upcoming Steam game Frostrail has all of these elements—plus a specific concept from Metro Exodus.
Metro Exodus stood out from previous entries in the series by moving away from the titular subway system and offering semi-open-world locations to explore. It also offered a train hub that served as not just a method of travel, but a place of escape and relaxation for protagonist Artyom. Not only does Frostrail go even further than Metro Exodus’ large zones by being a fully open-world game on Steam, but it also elevates the train concept as well. Like Metro Exodus, players will use the locomotive to traverse a post-apocalyptic world, but they’ll regularly be upgrading and expanding it via items scavenged from the monster-filled world.
What is Frostrail?
- EXPLORE a frozen world filled with eldritch threats solo or with 3 other players.
- EXPAND your train hub with armor upgrades, new crafting stations, engine upgrades, and more.
- SCAVENGE supplies in the icy wasteland, managing body temperature and scouting potential threats.
- CRAFT stronger weapons and gear using items found within the open-world, building up your character to fight monsters both big and small.
- RELEASES Q4 2026
Through the frost, death follows the tracks. Dive into a ruthless survival FPS, solo or co-op. Explore, scavenge, craft, and fight to endure a frozen, corrupted world. Operate and upgrade your steam-powered train through an unforgiving wasteland, where every choice is a matter of survival.
Frostrail’s World is Extremely Metro-Coded
Conceptually, it’s hard not to notice the parallels between the Metro series and Frostrail. Sure, the creatures of its frozen world come about due to a pact between the land’s emperor and the void as opposed to nuclear bombs and radiation, but the creatures themselves are similarly terrifying. Towering rocky creatures look like they’ll take several shots to put down, while some zombie-like humanoids in dark areas could leave players spooked. The survivors that players control are referred to as Penitent Gardeners, who are brave fighters tasked with purging the monstrosities from the world so that humans can eventually retake their land. On paper, this sounds extremely similar to Metro’s Rangers.
As players explore the world, they’ll enter abandoned bunkers and strongholds, having nothing but a flashlight and their weapons to protect themselves: a feeling that should remind FPS game fans of some of Metro’s more tense sequences. Similar to Metro Exodus, players will want to explore every nook and cranny of the world for resources to make survival easier. Ammunition, pieces to craft new forms of weaponry, and more will be able to be found and looted by groups of survivors. However, instead of having to manage gas mask damage and filters for the headwear, players will need to keep their character from freezing to death. Blizzards will “blind, slow, and suffocate; frostbite is a constant threat, an ever-present danger; and heat sources are scarce, all traits that will keep groups on their toes.
Frostrail’s Train is a Cut Above Metro Exodus’ Aurora
While Metro Exodus having a proper hub area via the Aurora train was a welcome addition, and a logical way to take Artyom to a wider range of settings, said train was a static location as opposed to something that evolved throughout the game’s story. With Frostrail, it’s a huge focus of the gameplay at every turn, as players are constantly expanding their train to progress further and survive longer. When out adventuring, finding fuel will be just as important as collecting ammo and other loot, and players will have to choose whether to spend their resources on gear or the train itself.
There are a range of potential upgrades for the train, all of which are going to be impactful. Players will be able to reinforce walls to make the train more resistant to attacks, they’ll be able to add weapon stations so that they can refine their gear while riding the rails, and they can boost the engine to get around on the train faster. Additionally, players can tack on more carriages for extra storage space or to make the train feel more homey. With groups turning a basic locomotive into a moving fortress as the game progresses, there should be a constant feeling of progression within every Frostrail session.
It’s worth noting that Frostrail will be one of the many titles that launch in Steam Early Access. While all of the game’s core mechanics will be present from day one, developer FakeFish will be expanding the title with additional content:
- Loot items
- Dungeons
- Biomes
- Items
- Weapons
- Spawn locations
Alongside these extra features, the usual bug fixes, polishing, and balancing adjustments can be expected. The game’s price will increase slightly with the 1.0 launch, which can be expected in about a year, so those with interest in making Frostrail a fixture of their co-op game sessions on Steam may want to consider picking it up for its cheaper Early Access price. Plus, for players seeking a Metro-like experience before the next entry arrives in February, it’s hard to think of a better alternative than this late 2026 release.
