4A Games upcoming "Metro Redux" package, which includes both "Metro 2033" and "Metro Last Light" has a release date of Agust 26. The former is a huge overhaul of the 2010 original, while the latter doesn't differ greatly from the 2013 shooter, though all DLC is bundled.

People who already own both games were unhappy that they'll need to pay again, despite 4A Games offering a 50 per cent discount to those who already have either game in their Steam library. The controversy got so heated in the Steam discussion forums that  4A Games to release a statement justifying the price.

"Almost the entire team of around 80 people at 4A Games will have been working on the Metro Redux titles for almost a year by the time we release next month," the statement read. "It has been a substantial project for the studio, with three main elements."

The studio went on to list the substantial new features, including engine additions such as global illumination and terrain tessellation, among other tweaks. "Metro: Last Light" will get some "minor" new features like a Check Watch and Check Inventory, as well as a whole new game mode. Finally, transferring Metro 2033 to the new engine, along with the new content and assets, was no small feat.

"We think the 50% discount is more than fair for the amount of work that has gone into this title," the statement continued. "It is a complete remake of the original game in the latest engine, that will offer a significantly different experience from the original throughout with improved graphics, performance and gameplay."

The studio's full statement on the Steam forum.

As illustrated clearly by a recent comparison video, it has been a substantial project for 4A, with the main goals of significantly updating the 4A Engine, updating both games to run on it, and adding a host of new gameplay features and content.

"We know this response will not please everyone," 4A said. "But even though you still might not agree with the rationale, we do hope you understand that our goal was to reward, not exploit, existing owners while still making a viable business model that allowed this Redux project to go ahead on PC as well as console."

The 50 percent discount, which takes the price of each Redux version of the down from $25 to $12.50, is available only to those who bought the game for PC. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the games will be sold for $25 each or as $50 bundle.

Metro Redux release date for PS4, Xbox One, and PC will be on August 26.