Metro 2033 has been in development for ages. Long enough, in fact, that when it finally resurfaced we’d completely forgotten it had ever existed. Much like the benighted citizen’s of the game’s murky subterranean setting…

The game itself is a first-person shooter inspired by a cult novel of the same name by Russian author, Dmitry Glukhovsky. Ukrainian outfit, 4A Games, has been beavering away on development almost anonymously since at least 2006. But what a grand job they’ve been doing, as you can see from these stunning new screenshots.

The action takes place in a post-apocalyptic Moscow of 2033, where a handful of survivors have sought refuge in underground train stations – not just to shelter from the harsh nuclear winter, but also to hide from the horrific mutoid creatures that now stalk the streets outside. Into this entertaining scenario steps Artryom, a child born during the last days of the great fire that scorched the earth, and raised below ground ever since.

One particularly fateful event sets Artyom on a mission to warn the last remnants of human society of the terrible looming threat. So begins a perilous journey through the darkest, dankest corners of the Moscow Metro system and up into the desolated wastelands above. The very destiny of mankind is at stake, we’re warned.

Okay, as far as premises go this is pretty standard stuff. However, as these new screens brilliantly demonstrate, the game looks anything but average. Metro 2033 is slated for release on Xbox 360 and PC in early 2010 and is already shaping up as one of the games of the year. Polish-up your comedy Russian accents and head to www.metro2033game.com for more info and a suitably atmospheric trailer.