Hi all, this may be a spoiler for people who have not played the game before, so maybe steer clear.

For others who have played, or maybe read the books, could you tell me why was Artyom special?

And I don't mean why were the Dark Ones talking to him. Why did everyone in the Metro seem to think he was special? Maybe I missed something in the intro, but it struck me that really he was just another tunnel rat with a gun as far as the game was concerned. But everyone kept on telling him he was special and their hopes rested on him. Sure, the hopes of Exhibition rested on him bringing back support, but actually he failed in that mission.

Not sure, I just feel either there was something that wasn't explained, or that I missed somewhere along the way, like the story failed to tell us how all the different people knew who Artyom was and what his mission was.

However, that being said, I have just finished my very first playthrough, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I'd say you get a much better idea why once you play Metro Last Light as it is a direct continuation as well as actually filling in some more of the backstory (in a quite backward way, but it does kinda work). That said, I can see why Khan thinks he's special, but as for the rest of the humans it's hard to say why they agree seeing as Artyom really isn't shown to be much more than an excellent marksman when around them in the games.

True, Khan would have a reason. But for the rest I think they just know as a plot device. Ahh well. Unless there is more info in the books. I will get around to reading them, after I finish the Witcher series!

I read the book Metro 2033 and so far, Artyom is just a guy with a mission to fulfill. He is "special" because he is a bridge between men and the Dark Ones but so far, he is just your average Joe but it maybe the reason you can identify yourself with him. He is not Gerald of Rivia or Commander Sheperd, he is just a man.

About the book, I had a nice time reading it. It is different from the game of course but with more detail about the background. All in all, the games and the book are good.

It is important to understand that the game took HUGE liberties with the inital story told in the book.

I won't spoil anything but it's almost totally different from the end of Metro 2033.

Artyom is important in the book because he is noticed by Hunter, a really strong fighter and the first man to witness the threat posed by the Dark Ones. Artyom survived the Dark Ones, so he turns to be only one capable to warn all stations of a potential annihilation.

The sequel of Metro 2033 is Metro 2034 and instead of Artyom you follow someone else... (even if Artyom does a small appearance).
I won't spoil anything about it but it's nothing related to Metro Last Light.

Also you have to consider that the character of Artyom is described in the book more as a resourcefull but naive young man instead of a "one man army".

This simple fact changes everything especially in the game where the story goes into a dead-end: Artyom can slaughter almost anything in front of him. Only mutants can be dangerous by being bullet sponges.
In the universe of Metro, it's not relevant.

The book never dares to go in that direction.
Artyom is even condemed to forced labour in an unsuspected place...
And the Dark Ones have a totally different treatment in the book.

Interresting fact:
I've met Dmitry Gloukhovski 3 years ago in Bordeaux ( France) my hometown.
He was promoting his new book, FUTURE and he confessed that Metro 2033 was not his favourite work.
He was a bit annoyed to be recognized only for this particular book.
For someone who master 8 different languages, it's understandable.

He spoke to us in a perfect French and I really appreciated the debat we had.

That's why I strongly recommend Metro 2034 and especially FUTURE ( wich has nothing to do with Metro Franchise),
because they dig way deeper into Gloukhovski's vision of humankind. He's also depicting a vision of the Soviets way too often forgotten. Wich is something the Metro videogame does perfectly.

Describing the dangers of totalitarians regimes and the inner violence of people, an exercise where Gloukhovski became a master. But the game is way too limited on this point.