Metro Exodus Review — The Riveting Post-Apocalyptic Journey

In the tradition of satisfying its fanbase, the Metro series has maintained its popular elements – simple shootouts, impressive world creation, and expansive storylines. Fortunately, Metro Exodus, the newest installment, preserves many of these features while intriguingly deviating from the traditional formula by emphasizing the overall atmosphere over specific gameplay aspects like pacing, which have been more niche in previous games.

Story And Setting

In Metro Exodus, Artyom’s captivating journey carries on as he steps out of Moscow’s ruined subway system for the first time, now in the year 2035, one year after the happenings in Metro: Last Light. This game represents a daring change from the confined, claustrophobic underground settings that have been characteristic of the series. Instead, it presents a more expansive, unpredictable world brimming with peril, charm, and poignant narratives.

As a gamer, I’m constantly challenging the status quo, just like my character Artyom. While everyone insists that Moscow’s metro is the last refuge of mankind, I stubbornly refuse to accept it. I risk everything, even my life, to find proof that humans survive elsewhere. My adventure takes an unexpected twist when Hansa soldiers nab me and my wife Anna after we discover a functional train on the surface. These soldiers had been jamming radio signals all along to keep Moscow isolated from the world.

After making this discovery, Artyom and the Spartan Rangers seize hold of an old Soviet locomotive, which they nickname the Aurora. Colonel Miller directs them on a journey eastward towards the Ural Mountains. Their initial destination is Mount Yamantau, where they aim to uncover any remnants of the Russian government.

A Subtle Narrative Carried By Intricate Storytelling

In this game, the story seems to play a supporting role, allowing the atmosphere and characters to take center stage and immerse you in the world. This is consistent with previous Metro games, where 4A’s unique setting has always been their main strength. I appreciate that they have capitalized on this strength in

The world possesses a vibrant, inhabited feel, with distinctive remnants of history dotted around, making it rare to find something duplicated more than once.

Metro Exodus truly excels with its implicit storytelling, creating a vivid and authentically inhabited world. Unique remnants of history are thoughtfully dispersed, ensuring each discovery feels fresh rather than repetitive.

Stories that whisper without sound unfold within deserted structures, subtly conveyed by thoughtfully arranged items. A pilot’s skeleton, seemingly eternal, grips the controls of a downed aircraft. Snapshots of vanished faces continue to cling to walls, and religious symbols accumulate dust in neglected nooks.

The Play With Seasonal Structures

In Metro Exodus, the game’s timeline covers an entire year, and the surroundings change with each passing season as the narrative progresses. The journey begins amid Moscow’s harsh nuclear winter, travels through the blooming spring along the Volga River, experiences the heat of summer at the dried Caspian Sea, ventures into the vibrant autumn taiga forest, and concludes in the freezing cold of winter at Novosibirsk.

The shifting seasons infuse the journey with an epic ambiance, adding a vibrant dimension to the adventure that inspires you to delve deeper into the surroundings.

Among all parts, these stood out as my most cherished – the shifting seasons not only present a distinct visual spectacle but also highlight Russia’s diverse geography, influencing both gameplay and narrative. Each region boasts its own distinctive communities with unique cultural practices: technophobic cultists dwell by the Volga, the Caspian desert is ruled by slave masters, and the Forest Children inhabit the taiga.

Transforming journeys with the passing seasons infuses a grand, cinematic vibe, adding a captivating layer of variability to the adventure that invites further investigation of the surroundings. Each environment reflects the emotional development of Artyom and his group as they search for a sanctuary untouched by radiation.

Gameplay

In simple terms, the gameplay of Metro Exodus resembles a journey through an accordion, where you’ll transition seamlessly from confined and directed environments to expansive open-world areas that could be as large as two square kilometers. However, it’s important to note that once you complete a section in the game, you won’t be able to revisit it.

Absolutely, novice players might find themselves a bit overwhelmed by the numerous game systems and survival aspects in these open areas. Although you’re welcome to roam around at will, beware that potential threats are lurking everywhere. For instance, groups of mutants roam freely, and often wandering off safe paths could lead to encounters with the wasteland’s most terrifying creatures.

Surviving Isn’t A System, It’s A Reality

In contrast to many games where survival aspects are secondary, Metro Exodus integrates these elements profoundly. The condition of your equipment is crucial; weapons degrade over use and may malfunction during combat unless regularly maintained. Moreover, gas mask filters have limited usage time, alerting you with a beep when they’re running low on effectiveness.

In this crafting setup, there are just two essential resources involved (materials and chemicals), keeping things straightforward yet not overly simple. You can create fundamental items such as medkits and pneumatic ammo straight from your backpack. However, for more complex tasks like bullet production and weapon maintenance, workbenches are required.

Iffy Combat That Requires Restraint

Metro’s combat in Exodus lacks the swiftness typical of fast-paced action games, instead, it feels intentionally cumbersome, giving it a unique edge among other shooters. The slow aiming speed adds an element of strategy, as you must make each bullet count due to limited ammo supply. This isn’t unusual in intricate first-person shooters, but for me, it hampered my ability to fully explore and appreciate the gunplay.

It’s worth mentioning that the AI controlling our enemies shows some unusual behavior now and then. At times, it seems they possess extraordinary perception, pinpointing us with uncanny accuracy. However, there are instances where they appear completely oblivious, failing to distinguish us from the surroundings, even when we’re literally standing right next to them.

Metro’s combat isn’t built for fast-paced action, but it’s particularly clunky in Exodus.

In many situations, when a significant portion of an opposing human group is neutralized, the remaining members might choose to surrender rather than continue fighting. This system encourages strategic thinking over rapid reactions, resulting in a palpable sense of tension, although it may be tempered by certain technical glitches. Yet, if you’re seeking thrilling action, Exodus’ realistic approach could feel less satisfying for some enthusiasts of chaotic mayhem. The game caters to both methodical players and those who prefer fast-paced combat, but offers additional advantages to stealthy players.

In this game, you have two options: “Survival Mode” which aims to replicate the atmosphere of Metro 2033 by offering fewer resources and requiring more strategic stealth; on the other hand, “Spartan Mode” seeks to emulate the feel of Last Light with an abundance of resources and slightly lenient stealth. Ultimately, it’s your decision, as both modes provide a balanced challenge that neither becomes overly difficult nor too easy.

Visuals And Performance

Initially upon release, Metro Exodus seemed visually ahead of its era, and I’m pleased to confirm that its artistic style remains impressive today. The landscapes, character designs, and even weapon details are breathtakingly beautiful, showcasing 4A’s dedication to maintaining their reputation for creating visually sharp games.

This software boasts remarkably intricate animations for even minor actions, such as the inner workings of a weapon. The lighting is exceptionally well-done, and during a snowstorm on the railways, you can really appreciate the developers’ vision when creating each setting, weather condition, and ambiance.

The scenery, character designs, and weapon details are astoundingly captivating, demonstrating 4A’s commitment to preserving their tradition of developing visually impressive titles.)

Indeed, the high-quality graphics do demand a certain price in terms of system requirements. Equipped with an RTX 3070 Ti and a Ryzen 5 7500F, I managed to achieve an average frame rate of 70 FPS at 1440p resolution, while running the game with DLSS and Ray Tracing activated. Given that this game was released in 2019, these figures are quite substantial, leading me to believe that gamers lacking a modern AMD or NVIDIA RTX graphics card might find it challenging even to maintain 60 FPS at 1080p resolution.

Luckily, I didn’t encounter any issues like bugs or visual problems while using it, so the main focus should be on its challenging nature.

Conclusion

As a gamer, I can tell you that Metro Exodus marks an incredible evolution for the series. Stepping out from its underground beginnings, it still manages to hold onto its core essence. My journey across post-apocalyptic Russia revealed a game that surpasses its impressive Metascore. The immersive storytelling shines through in scripted scenes and intricate environmental details, making every moment feel alive and unique.

The game requires a good dose of patience and a willingness from players to adjust to its distinctive mix of survival elements, strategic battles, and resource allocation. Initially, transitions between closed and open spaces may seem abrupt, but this design element establishes an engaging pacing that aligns beautifully with the storyline.

Metro Exodus really excels in its portrayal of human connections. The Aurora serves not only as transport but also transforms into a sanctuary where bonds deepen amidst the ruins. It’s the subtle details that breathe life into this journey, like searching for a teddy bear for Nastya or witnessing Stepan’s wedding, which highlight why Artyom’s tale resonates so deeply.

2025-04-23 17:13