Metro: Last Light has just been formally announced by publisher THQ and developer 4A Games, a horror-themed first-person shooter that will follow on from the events of Metro 2033.

According to THQ, Metro: Last Light will plunge us further into the “haunting, desolate ruins of post-apocalyptic Moscow,” while delivering a “terrifying, atmospheric single-player adventure that fuses thrilling combat with exploration and survival horror to create a unique, memorable experience.”

Set in 2024, Metro: Last Light will place you in the middle of a frantic civil war taking place in the developer’s vision of a post-apocalyptic Moscow, as players take part in a struggle for control over a ‘doomsday device,’ said to hold the power to “destroy humanity forever.”

An “epic” singleplayer campaign, “unique” multiplayer experience, and “extraordinary lighting, physics and destruction” technologies are all promised.

EVP Core Games, THQ, Danny Bilson, said of Metro: Last Light:

“We believe that Metro 2033 was a flawed masterpiece. 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 scheduled for release in 2012, across Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC platforms. Be sure to keep your eyes on El33tonline during the week of E3 2011 for more information on Metro: Last Light.

Here’s the ghastly (in a good way!) teaser trailer for Metro: Last Light:

Metro: Last Light – Debut Teaser Trailer

And here are the rest of those impressive Metro: Last Light screenshots: