Review: METRO 2033

Storyline

The storyline is based on the novel of the same name by Dmitry Glukhovsy and is already a bestseller in Russia, with an English release planned to coincide with the launch of the game.

In the year 2013 a series of events leads to a nuclear conflict that leaves the Earth scarred and the surface uninhabitable for mankind. The metro system of Moscow serves as an ‘ark’ for the Russian people and new age of lifestyle begins for the people of Moscow. The stations become their new cities and after 20 years, each has established its own political stance and agenda.

For those not fortunate enough to escape the events on the surface, mutation has set in and over the past 20 years a race of hostile mutants roams the surface world – now however a new more dangerous enemy has presented itself. Named the ‘Dark ones’ creatures that are gifted with psychic powers now threaten the safety of the Metro system.

You play as Artyom, a young man born in the last days before the end of the surface world. Brought up underground in the safety of the metro, a fateful event sets him on a mission that sees him venture outside of his home metro station to bring warning of the impending threat of the Dark Ones.

Gameplay

This is one hell of a game, that provides an impressive experience. This game should be played first hand and so I don’t want to give too much detail.

The game begins with a tutorial of sorts, one thing it doesn’t do is hold your hand. You play out a Prologue mission which ends on a cliffhanger, you are then thrust back 8 days earlier to the events leading up to the prologue.

Cut-scenes and loading screens fill you in on what is happening and further the storyline. Yes I said loading screens. The loading screens have a narrative by Artyom and either remind you of your current predicament or help to further the storyline, while all along they are hiding the fact you are at another loading screen.

Although a First-Person Shooter this game is more about stealth than it is about running and gunning; a mechanic that is firmly associated with FPS games. Of course there is the odd level to choose between (either running and gunning or stealth-em-up), but running and gunning never quite feels right and choosing this method of play, especially on hard, is a suicide tactic.

The story itself is amazing and I’ve never experienced such a rich, interesting story in a FPS game. If I had to compare it to another FPS then I would say its closest to the story told in Half-Life 2 but far superior. The story is also quite mind boggling, with some the events you play out first hand. The story constantly challenges your mind and the only way to work through it is to play it! Most of the initial game will simply have you thinking WTF is happening here – it’s brilliant! A very Lost-esque way of storytelling.

An additional mechanic to the storytelling is getting the player involved. Some levels purely exist just as intermissions to levels and with the help of different companions various sights and experiences await you. There are also a number of set pieces that are so elegantly placed into the game they are seamless and the whole play-through is like one massive ride.

There are plenty of weapons to choose from and all have been crudely adapted in this new world. Trading is the name of the game and to get better weapons, your ammo and current guns are the currency! Ammo comes in 2 forms: Dirty or Military rounds. Dirty rounds have been made in the Metro while Military rounds existed beforehand and so not only can they do more damage if they are fired at enemies but they are used as currency. In the trading posts Dirty ammo can be traded against Military rounds and vice-versa.

Although the levels in the game can be a bit linear in places, they do offer a certain amount of exploration and multiple routes around or through an obstacle/enemy. The levels are also filled with traps or devices to warn the enemy of your approach; hanging cans or broken glass on the floor. Explore the levels a little and the reward is guns that you can’t afford to buy and vast supplies of ammo. A simple click on dead enemy bodies to collect ammo is not enough – look in each pocket and lift ammo belts as well as stripping dropped weapons of their clips.

The darkened tunnels really give you a feeling of claustrophobia and with the amazing effects of light and shadows, there will be several moments in this game that even the most hardened gamer will be screaming like a little girl.

The game takes place in the Metro but there are also opportunities to visit the outside world. Both here and some of the radioactive parts of the Metro will require you to wear a gas mask, otherwise imminent death will follow. The mask reacts to the environment – so take damage and the mask will crack. You will also need to replace the air filters. As the filter runs out, the mask will begin to fog up and breathing becomes heavier. You can keep track of the air filters ‘life’ via your watch which has a simple green, amber and red gauge.

The watch also plays an important part in helping you to stay hidden. Using the same green, amber and red, small lights on the top of the watch help to show how hidden you are in the shadows and to enemies.

The rest you will just have to find out for yourself – there are plenty of creatures to find, different factions of humans to encounter and different endings of the game to work out and experience.

Graphics

This has got to be one of the best looking games on the Xbox, in fact scratch that. This has got to be one of the best looking games out there across ALL the consoles! There is just so much to look at in the environments, all of which has been designed and textured beautifully.

The 2 most beautiful aspects of this games graphics engine is the particle and lighting effects. Light plays a very strong part in this game and the soft edges to the light, the way it bounces off of surfaces or the detail and physics to the flames really are jaw dropping and some of the best lighting effects I have ever seen in a game.

The particles in the air and the wisps of smoke coming at you are just amazing. You really have to experience it for yourself and I don’t think even trying to describe this would do it justice.

The only graphical part of the game I did find a bit off was the cracks in the gas mask. As you take damage while wearing the mask cracks form on the visor, the cracks are effectively white lines and didn’t seem to react at all to the light making them feel very ‘floaty’ on the screen. Also, when looking down you have no body! Argh I’m a floating gun! When Alien vs Predator can put in a ‘body’ then there really is no excuse for not having a body in this vastly superior title.

Audio

The audio is equally as impressive as the graphics, with great attention to filling the environments of the Metro with sounds that really bring it to life. There is music being played by soldiers on acoustic guitars, civilians singing songs in Russian and of course an excellent musical score to complement the game in places where the action heightens or progresses the storyline.

There is also plenty of ambient sounds in the game, the squealing of pipes or the rush of steam, dripping water or strange ringing echos in the tunnels, distant screams or groans, conversations revealing hints about certain paths through some of the stations and of course the excellent narrative of the story.

At times in the game I just stood around in the tunnels and just listened – likewise in the Metro stations, stand around and some excellent interaction between families can be heard – literally lives unfolding in front of your eyes.

All this superb attention to detail and excellent crafting of the perfect sounds both direct and ambient, heighten the gaming tension and experience and will really draw you into the world that 4A Games and Dmitry have crafted.

Overall

Very few games ‘stay’ with you i.e. when you have finished your gaming session for the evening that’s it! With METRO 2033 things were different, I just couldn’t help but think about my experiences in the game and how the storyline was unfolding even after I had finished playing. This is particularly unique in that a FPS could have such an effect. You can hardly say that MW2′s storyline had you thinking about it days after you had finished playing it, and this is where the beauty of METRO 2033 shines. This is not simply a game, this is an experience and one which should be lavished and enjoyed, not one to run through all guns blazing shouting “hoorah” as you go.

I just cant praise this game enough for the supreme sound and graphics, each time I step back into the world of Metro I just cant help but think WOW!

The shooting side is the games only real let down and throughout, I could never quite place why? Maybe it’s because it’s a FPS and we are all used to playing as super soldiers who can storm in and kill everyone without a scratch, or maybe the hit detection was a bit off? One thing is for sure the aim setting will need tweaking slightly and I highly recommend you switch the gun selection scheme to radial. Headshots are a must and you really need to plan ahead – think of the game as more of a tactical shooter with the fast paced action of MW2.

This is not a game for run and gunners but it would be a crime against gaming if you simply missed out on METRO 2033 – buy this game and you will keep coming back for more. It is an essential title in any gamers collection. I myself rarely play a game through again, usually because we are spoilt with so many great games to choose from, or I have moved on to the game’s multiplayer. However, METRO 2033 will be getting several play-throughs.

Review: METRO 2033 Results