Metro 2033 is a first person shooter with survival horror elements that explores a post-apocalyptic setting of nuclear war with the Moscow metro tunnels serving as an area of relative safely from the mutated humans and animals. Based on a novel of the same name players embark on a story of survival against all odds that has you scavenging for every piece of equipment while fighting and learning more about the history of the world that now lies destroyed in front of you.
Metro 2033 takes players into the future (2033) as they control Artyom two decades after a devastating nuclear war left the world crippled. Belonging to a growing group of people who was raised in the Moscow subway system and with no memory of the world as it was previously players are tasked with saving their underground settlement from growing outside threats. These threats come from both other humans and various mutants that have evolved due to the high concentration of radiation on the surface. While this surface is somewhat accessible to players provided they have the appropriate gas mask your periods of time above the tunnels are limited with the majority of your story taking place underground and at the various places where the tunnels and outside area meet.
Exploring the vast labyrinth of tunnels that represent a time long past players will acquire food, water and other supplies that are growing increasingly scarce underground which is leading to various faction wars for the limited supplies. Despite the world being in a state that some might wish that they never survived the great war to see the human population lives on through struggles. In Metro 2033 these struggles have reached a new height though with your northern station home of VDNKh recently attacked by a new threat from a mysterious creature known as the Dark Ones. This kicks off your broader linear adventure as players venture from the only home they have ever known to find others willing to help stop the emerging threat with a number of subtle moral choices spread throughout.
Central to your survival in Metro 2033 throughout this journey is the mixture of real and fictional weapons that are used to dispatch the various enemies you’ll encounter along the way. Similar to other games with this theme you’ll find mutants primarily rely on physical attacks while human opponents will use their weapons against you. Each bullet is a scarce commodity though for both sides with ammunition minimisation and scavenging a consistent cycle that Metro 2033 utilises while also serving as a currency.
To help build the horror atmosphere Metro 2033 minimises the HUD elements to draw your attention into the horror you are facing. This also extends to a lack of a numerical health pickup system with players needing to take cover for regeneration or use the limited number of health packs to quickly return to the fight. Flashlight usage is similarly important given the extent of dark areas in the metro tunnel system although is not without its own currency system of batteries that prevents over use once again.
With all these mechanics combined Metro 2033 definitely captures the fear and atmosphere that you would expect to have in a post apocalyptic world and complements this with a solid narrative driven experience likely driven by its basis being a novel.
Summary:
- Creates a great post apocalyptic atmosphere with players joining the world over 20 years after the bombs dropped.
- Dark, scary and realistic which is enhanced through the lack of game HUD to draw you into setting.
- Solid FPS gameplay with players needing to scavenge the necessary ammunition to fight off human and mutant threats.
- Vast story with subtle moral decisions throughout that are based on the novel of the same name.
- Find your blend between challenge and realism through the game difficulty options.
Links:
- Buy Metro 2033 (Humble Store)
- Buy Metro 2033 (GOG)
- Buy Metro 2033 (Microsoft Store – Xbox 360)
- Buy Metro 2033 (Microsoft Store – Xbox One)
- Buy Metro 2033 (PlayStation Store)
- Buy Metro Redux (Nintendo Store)
Videos:
Review Platform: PC
