Metro Exodus - Before You Buy

Summary

In this review of *Metro Exodus*, the narrator discusses how the game blends classic *Metro* elements with a semi-open-world structure. While staying true to the series' tense, atmospheric experience, the game introduces expansive environments, seasonal changes, and sandbox-style exploration. The protagonist, Artyom, embarks on a journey above ground with his team, encountering large-scale shootouts, mutated creatures, and emotional moments. The game is praised for its visuals, immersive sound design, and solid gameplay, but there are minor flaws, including some AI issues and a clunky desert section. Overall, *Metro Exodus* is a thrilling and atmospheric addition to the series, offering a balance of linear storytelling and open-world exploration.

Takeaways

• 😀 Metro Exodus retains the core Metro experience but expands with semi-open world areas, offering new exploration without losing its traditional atmosphere.
• 😀 The game introduces a unique setting with various seasons and environments, from harsh Russian winters to a bombed-out desert and lush forests.
• 😀 Despite the larger, more open-world elements, Metro Exodus maintains a focus on linear storytelling, keeping the immersive, tense moments intact.
• 😀 The train, Aurora, serves as a central hub, keeping the pacing steady while offering varied environments and new character interactions.
• 😀 Metro Exodus is action-packed with large-scale shootouts, mutated creatures, and scripted action sequences, but it still offers quiet, atmospheric moments.
• 😀 The game retains its horror elements, with scary, unnerving sequences, especially when running low on ammo or encountering terrifying monsters.
• 😀 Environments are visually impressive, with great lighting, detailed textures, and a solid use of day-night cycles, adding depth to exploration and combat.
• 😀 The desert sequence, though large and different from traditional Metro settings, is the least favored due to clunky vehicle controls and bandit encounters.
• 😀 Side objectives and random encounters add depth, with rewards that benefit the player's train or character progression, but there’s no heavy pressure to complete them.
• 😀 The game feels a bit dated in certain areas, with minor bugs and somewhat basic character interactions, but overall maintains the charm of the Metro series.
• 😀 Crafting is more accessible with a backpack system, allowing players to upgrade weapons, create med kits, and customize gear, adding a satisfying layer of progression.

Q & A

What is the main change in gameplay for Metro Exodus compared to previous games in the series?

Metro Exodus introduces semi-open-world gameplay, a departure from the more linear, tunnel-based structure of earlier Metro games. Players can explore larger, more open areas, though the game still maintains a strong focus on story-driven experiences.

How does Metro Exodus maintain the intense, stressful atmosphere of previous Metro games despite the open-world elements?

Metro Exodus balances open-world exploration with linear story progression, ensuring the core experience remains focused on tension, survival horror, and intense moments, while still allowing for the exploration of more expansive environments.

What makes the train system in Metro Exodus significant to the story and gameplay?

The train, called the Aurora, serves as a mobile hub, allowing characters to travel through different regions and seasons. This train-based setting helps maintain pacing and variety in the game, evolving the Metro concept of claustrophobic tunnels to a broader, yet still intimate, world.

Does Metro Exodus maintain the quieter, atmospheric moments of previous Metro games?

Yes, Metro Exodus retains many of the quiet, immersive moments from earlier titles, including areas filled with ambient dialogue, random notes, and opportunities for players to explore and experience the environment in a more thoughtful, slower-paced manner.

What are some of the new gameplay features introduced in Metro Exodus?

New features include a backpack system for on-the-fly crafting, upgrading, and swapping weapon attachments. Players can also craft medkits, filters, and throwables during gameplay, enhancing the survival elements. Additionally, the game has a day-night cycle that impacts gameplay, with different monsters and opportunities depending on the time of day.

How does Metro Exodus handle side content and exploration?

Metro Exodus offers optional side objectives, such as hidden caves or bandit hideouts, that reward players with valuable supplies and upgrades. While these objectives are not mandatory, they add depth to the world and allow players to gather items for character and equipment enhancements.

What is the atmosphere like in the different areas of Metro Exodus?

The game features diverse environments that change with the seasons, including harsh Russian winters, a dry desert wasteland, and lush forests in spring. Each setting offers a unique atmosphere, visually stunning landscapes, and challenges that reflect the season's harshness.

What are some of the drawbacks or issues mentioned in the review?

Some of the drawbacks include occasional character model issues, bugs, and the somewhat clunky vehicle controls in the desert area. The AI for human enemies is also criticized as being relatively basic, and certain zombie-like creatures in the open world are noted as repetitive and annoying.

How does Metro Exodus compare to its predecessors in terms of action and narrative?

Metro Exodus is more action-packed, featuring large-scale shootouts, mutated creatures, and explosive scripted sequences. However, it also maintains the tight, linear focus of the earlier games, blending action with survival horror elements and atmospheric exploration.

How does the PC version of Metro Exodus perform, according to the review?

The PC version runs well with high-quality visuals, especially in dark environments. The review highlights the game's impressive lighting effects, and overall, it is considered a visually stunning experience, although there are minor performance issues and occasional bugs.