I think it's a reflection of the culture from the general area. Russian sci-fi, for example, tends to be heavily introspective (Roadside Picnic, Solaris, etc). While most other western/American sci fi is more about extraordinary world building/future scenarios.

To a lesser or different degree, you see the same approach in videogames, software development, etc.

Funny thing is that the Metro games are based on books by the same name. I tried reading the first one expecting horror and survivalism and action. Instead I got mysticism and philosophy.

Half the book reads like Dante's Inferno. Like its not supposed to be taken literally, but I'm not the right audience to get the references.

They led me to go read the books, the metro series of books is great if you like post-apoc. And if you enjoy them, try the Night Watch/World of Watches series. It's supernatural, focused on a quasi-governmental department that keeps the peace between the light and the dark magic communities, very gritty. The Nightwatch/Daywatch films are really good too, such a shame they never made the third.

There's a certain mind set in all of the Russian literature I've read that I find extremely appealing. I haven't read that much, but found that same mindset even in the older stuff like War and Peace, or Master and Margarita.