A couple weeks ago we had sat down with Metro 2033, going into the event completely naïve as to what to expect; we walked away very excited to get our hands on the final release build. Video games set in the future have had an especially grim outlook recently. THQ and 4A Games look to top them by creating the most grim/depressing game of them all in a post-apocalyptic horror story set in the metro tunnels and stations beneath Moscow in Metro 2033. So why is Metro 2033 worth caring about in a sea of post-apocalyptic shooters? Read on to see why the grim setting of Metro 2033 gives us hope. The game picks up 20 years after the World War 3 causes the surface of Moscow to become uninhabitable. You play as Artyom, a survivor of the apocalypse who is working to save the remainder of mankind throughout the metro as an impending threat endangers the remaining survivors. As Artyom travels through the metro he encounters extremists, survivors, as well as an army of mutants known as the Dark Ones. For reasons unknown at this point Artyom is immune to the Dark Ones, but it seems as though it will play a role central role in the plot. The game is heavily driven by its story as you interact with other survivors scattered amongst the vast network of Metro tunnels.
We had the chance recently to spend a couple hours with the single-player portion of the game and without letting any spoilers’ slip we can tell you that the game is different than anything you have experienced before. Interestingly enough, Metro 2033 actually based off a novel of the same name by Dmitry Glukhovsky, a famed Russian author. This sounds to have given 4A plenty of source material to develop a really great narrative. The gameplay revolves heavily around using resources carefully, especially ammo. Let’s talk about bullets. One very awesome part of the Metro 2033 is that there are two different types of ammo, military grade and dirty bullets. The military grade ammunition is 3 times more powerful than the dirty bullets but the military grade bullets serve an important purpose outside of killing, they are the game’s currency. We have played plenty of titles where you could sell bullets for currency, but having to make the difficult choice between using a bullet to kill or spend is a first. It’s a very interesting mechanic that will have you carefully picking each and every fight. The only real prevalent issue is that there might not be enough ammunition to really enjoy the game.
Sure the game is supposed to teach you to make each shot count, but it feels like you are shooting a rock of gold into an enemy with each bullet fired. Hopefully the final build of the game will have some more ammo scattered throughout, otherwise the difficulty could make the game too frustrating. Another large component of the game is the fact that is has no hud. Metro has you rely on your instincts and visual cues to survive firefights as well as trips to the polluted surface. There are times when Artyom must go above ground and forage the toxic surface for resources. Without a hud, you have to set a timer on your wristwatch and continually check it In order to avoid having the filters on your mask go out as they are only useable for so long. It is a very cool concept that keeps you on your toes as you scavenge; making you feel as though your trips must be carefully played and done swiftly. All these features give the game a tense and cinematic flair to it. Each fight is intense and can play out for quite awhile as you must make sure that each shot counts. We found the flashlight to be a bit underwhelming, which in the end actually adds an element of intensity to Metro 2033 that we weren’t expecting coming in. After playing through the first couple chapters it’s evident that the developers wanted to create an immersive world that did everything possible to draw the gamer in.
Enemies seem to be well varied as you fight through survivors with weird political agendas as well as the aforementioned Dark Ones. Visually the game is striking and also very dark, as you will have to recharge a torch with a handheld battery as you explore the tunnels below the surface. The design of the game definitely carries a tense and creepy atmosphere that is sure to be haunting. Scripted events also seem to occur often and will keep the pace of the game flowing smoothly, but can sometimes interrupt exploration. The design of the game may seem familiar, but that is because it was developed by quite a few developers from GSC Game World, the developers of the PC series S.T.A.L.K.E.R. That is quite obvious as the theme and grim setting of Metro 2033 has it’s similarities to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. which is already a very well crafted post-apocalypse title. From this, we are confident that 4A has created a terrifying yet satisfying world for us to delve into. Metro 2033 is filled with potential to be one of the big sleeper hits of 2010 with its strong narrative and survival horror style gameplay. The game really has a lot going for it with the constant sense of terror since you aren’t free to pull the trigger without wondering if you will need that round to buy supplies. Our official review will be up in just a few days, and lucky for you copies of Metro 2033 can be scavenged from the surface game stores on March 16th, 2010.
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