Metro: Last Light confirmed

After weeks of rumours, publisher THQ has finally announced Metro 2033 sequel Metro: Last Light.

Developed by 4A Games, it promises to expand on the tense single-player experiences of the first title amidst the setting of a civivl war for control over a secret doomsday device.

THQ has admitted that it failed to back the last game with the necessary marketing commitment needed for it to flourish. But buoyed by the success of Homefront – which overcame a harsh critical reception thanks to a very expensive marketing campaign – it promises to make amends with this new release.

"We believe that Metro 2033 was a flawed masterpiece," THQ’s core games EVP Danny Bilson stated. "It was a beautiful, original game that didn’t get the marketing support it needed.

"We won’t make that mistake with Metro: Last Light. This game improves on the original in every way – it will have more polish, deeper and more sophisticated gameplay, and satisfyingly visceral combat, without losing what our fans loved about the original.

"Metro: Last Light is another artful piece of game development from an Eastern European studio that will thrill and terrify anyone looking for a more cerebral experience than your typical first person shooter."

Metro: Last Light is due out on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in 2012.