Metro Exodus Review — The Riveting Post-Apocalyptic Journey

The Metro series has consistently delighted its fans by staying true to its proven elements – simple shootouts, magnificent world construction, and an epic storyline. Fortunately, Metro Exodus, the newest addition to the series, largely maintains these key features, yet intriguingly deviates from the traditional formula in certain aspects. Instead of focusing on specific details such as gameplay rhythm, it places greater emphasis on the overall setting.

Story And Setting

In Metro Exodus, Artyom’s thrilling adventure continues as he steps out of Moscow’s wrecked subway system for the first time, year 2036 being exactly a year after Metro: Last Light’s events. This game breaks new ground by moving away from the series’ signature confined, tense underground settings, and instead presents a larger, evolving world brimming with peril, splendor, and poignant narrative.

In a quiet, yet rebellious manner, Artyom challenges the widely-held belief that only survivors remain within Moscow’s metro system. He braves danger to demonstrate that there are humans living elsewhere. However, the narrative takes an unexpected twist when Hansa soldiers apprehend Artyom and his wife Anna after discovering a functional train on ground level. These soldiers had been obstructing radio waves to maintain Moscow in isolation from the rest of the world.

Through this newfound discovery, Artyom and the Spartan Rangers seize command 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 surviving fragments of the Russian government.

A Subtle Narrative Carried By Intricate Storytelling

In this game, the story seems to play a supporting role, allowing the characters and environment to shine and immerse you in the world. This approach is consistent with earlier Metro titles, where the setting has always been 4A’s key strength. I appreciate their ability to acknowledge this and focus on what they excel at in this game.

The world seems vibrant and inhabited, with distinct remnants of history hidden here and there, making it feel like no two experiences are exactly the same.

Metro Exodus truly stands out due to its subtly woven narratives without explicit dialogue. The game world breathes authenticity, filled with distinct remnants of history that don’t feel repetitive or overused.

Tales untold seep out from deserted structures, subtly arranged items serving as silent narrators. A stationary pilot, skeletal in form, clings to the controls of a wrecked aircraft. Images of vanished individuals still adorn walls, while religious symbols accumulate dust in overlooked niches.

The Play With Seasonal Structures

Metro Exodus covers a complete year’s worth of time. As the plot progresses, the settings change with each passing season. The journey begins amidst Moscow’s frozen winter, continues through the blooming spring along the Volga River, advances to the scorching summer at the dried-up Caspian Sea, proceeds to the colorful autumn in the taiga forest, and concludes during the harsh winter in Novosibirsk.

Experiencing the journey during different seasons infuses it with a grand, epic ambiance, adding a sense of liveliness and inviting you to delve deeper into the surrounding environment.

Among all parts, these stood out as my most cherished – the shifting seasons not only appear distinct but also highlight Russia’s diverse terrain, impacting both gameplay and narrative. Each region is inhabited by unique communities: technophobic cultists dwell along the Volga, slave masters rule over the Caspian desert, and the Children of the Forest call the taiga their home.

As the seasons shift, the journey takes on an epic quality, adding a sense of movement and adventure that inspires further exploration of the surroundings. The various landscapes reflect the emotional development of Artyom and his group, as they search for a place untouched by radiation, symbolizing their personal growth.

Gameplay

In essence, Metro Exodus’s gameplay style is akin to unfolding a map – starting with confined, linear stages followed by expansive open-world landscapes that encompass approximately 2 square kilometers. However, it’s important to note that the game doesn’t always manage these transitions seamlessly, as once an area is completed, you cannot return to it.

Absolutely, fresh explorers may find themselves daunted by the numerous game systems and survival aspects in these open regions. Although you’re welcome to roam as you please, be wary as danger lurks in every corner – mutant packs prowl freely, and veering from safe paths frequently places you in close encounters with the wasteland’s most terrifying creatures.

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

In contrast to many games that view survival mechanics as secondary elements, Metro Exodus integrates them significantly, making them crucial to gameplay. Your equipment requires regular maintenance; your weapons can malfunction or overheat during combat if not cleaned frequently. Moreover, gas mask filters have limited usage time, alerting you of depletion with a beep before they run out.

In this crafting setup, you’re working with just two essential resources: materials and chemicals. It’s straightforward yet not overly simplistic. From your bag, you can easily produce fundamental items such as medkits and pneumatic ammo. However, for more advanced creations like bullets and weapon cleaning, you’ll require workbenches to get the job done efficiently.

Iffy Combat That Requires Restraint

Metro’s combat in Exodus lacks the swiftness found in many action games, instead feeling somewhat cumbersome. The slow targeting speed seems intentional, serving as a unique feature that distinguishes it from other shooter games. Due to the scarcity of ammunition, every bullet fired requires careful consideration, which is common in intricate first-person shooters, but it made it challenging for me to fully immerse myself and appreciate the gunplay experience.

I’ve observed that the AI of the enemies behaves erratically sometimes. At times, they seem to have extraordinary perception, catching you with uncanny accuracy, but at other instances, they appear oblivious, failing to distinguish you from the surroundings, even when you’re right beside them.

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

In many situations, if you manage to eliminate the majority of an opposing human team, the remaining members may choose to surrender rather than continuing the fight. This system encourages strategic thinking over reaction time, resulting in a palpable tension despite certain technical glitches. However, for those seeking intense, action-packed chaos, Exodus’ realistic approach might fall short on delivering the full experience. The game caters to both tactical and fast-paced players, but offers additional benefits for stealth enthusiasts.

In this game, you have two options: “Survival mode aims to recreate the atmosphere of Metro 2033,” offering fewer resources and requiring more cautious stealth; on the other hand, “Spartan mode mirrors the feel of Last Light,” featuring more resources and a slightly less demanding stealth experience. The decision is yours, and luckily, neither mode is excessively difficult or easy.

Visuals And Performance

Initially, when Metro Exodus debuted, it seemed like it was years ahead of its contemporaries in terms of visual appeal, and I’m pleased to confirm that the art style remains impressive today. The landscapes, character designs, and weapon details are all breathtakingly beautiful and serve as a testament to 4A’s dedication to creating visually stunning games and upholding their tradition of producing sharp-looking titles.

As a dedicated fan, I’m blown away by the incredibly intricate animations, even for the smallest, subtlest actions, like the internal workings of a weapon. The lighting is impeccable, and when I find myself on the railways amidst a snowstorm, it feels like I’m living the vision the creators had when designing each environment, weather condition, and overall atmosphere.

The landscapes, character designs, and even the intricacies of the weapons are simply breathtaking, showcasing 4A’s dedication to carrying on their tradition of crafting visually impressive games.

It’s true that the high-quality graphics do come with a price tag. Using an RTX 3070 Ti along with a Ryzen 5 7500F, I was managing an average of 70 frames per second (FPS) at a resolution of 1440p, while running DLSS and Ray Tracing simultaneously. Considering this game was released in 2019, these numbers are quite substantial, and it’s likely that gamers without a recent AMD or NVIDIA RTX graphics card might find it challenging to achieve even 60 FPS at 1080p resolution.

Thankfully, I didn’t encounter any issues with bugs or visual errors while using it, but be aware that its operation can be quite challenging.

Conclusion

Metro Exodus signifies a significant leap in the franchise, as it ventures out from its subterranean origins while maintaining its core essence. My journey across post-apocalyptic Russia unveiled a game that surpasses its impressive Metascore rating. The captivating narrative unfolds not only through scripted events but also through intricate environmental cues.

The game requires a good dose of patience and flexibility from players. It’s essential to embrace its distinctive mix of survival elements, strategic battles, and resource allocation. Initially, transitions between linear and open environments may seem abrupt, but this design provides an engaging beat that harmoniously complements the storyline.

Metro Exodus showcases its brilliance in its portrayal of human connections. The Aurora, serving as both transport and home, is where bonds deepen amidst the ruinous surroundings. It’s the subtle details that breathe life into this journey – like seeking a teddy bear for Nastya or witnessing Stepan’s wedding – that underscore why Artyom’s tale resonates so deeply.

2025-05-01 14:43