Looking back on it I'm embarrassed to admit to myself just how long it took to cover Metro 2033 Redux with a proper review I wanted it to have. This is also where I'm unable to blame the virus craze, though. Here it is finally... and luckily for me I'm no completionist so one playthrough will suffice. Just to rub some salt into the wound I also had time to watch some anime and coincidentally they covered about 30 years of the industry.
Metro 2033 Redux
Having not played the original or read the novel game was based on I went almost blind into Metro 2033 Redux. Outcome of said stumbling? Well, it's definitely a game worth playing and doubly so commenting on.
Game is set 20 years after a seemingly nuclear exchange happened devastating the entire world in the process. For the relatively few people who managed to run for their lives and hide in metro stations what they knew was forever gone. One such, now called Exhibition, is where our protagonist Artyom comes from and is blissfully unaware of horrible things going down. What with encroaching mutants and general despair that's taken over the survivors. In a last bid to get help he is sent by his adoptive father to Polis, place acting as a sort-of capital for the metro stations people have turned into towns, and he is given a dog tag that will allow him to get in contact with the elite Spartan Order. Barely getting out of Exhibition alive Artyom embarks on a dangerous journey that could change everything and flush out dark secrets of the past, as well as future itself.
Putting my drab summary aside first thought that really hit me couple of hours in was “whoa, this isn't merely a throwaway story” and I was certainly glad to see that persisted throughout having finished the game. I imagine having roots in a novel helped in this particular case, but game pulls its own weight in ways only video games can thanks to interactive elements. Setting is a tremendous part of Metro 2033's story and that realization cannot be overlooked. Painfully bleak, one where humanity is barely eking existence amidst the mutants, bandits and revived factions of the past like Nazis and Communists, this story still somehow manages to be about headstrong defiance and spurring into action even when everything else fails. What really amazes is the manner in which this is generally presented – less boisterous and grand, more stoic and fatalistic. You could say this is a story only Eastern European developers could've told the way they did. This extends to a relatively small cast of characters and long lasting effect they have on Artyom even when they part ways, for example.
Probably the simplest description I could muster about gunplay would be how chunky it is. Earliest guns are makeshift creations firing bootleg ammunition because “real” pre-apocalypse ammo is used as currency in shops and guns control as such. I wouldn't say they're useless without updates or anything, but it certainly helps to spend when you reach metros if you like how a particular gun feels and you won't be replacing it. Which may be tempting because you can pick up whatever human enemies wield as long as you keep in mind there are three weapon slots total. There's additional equipment you can use, such as throwing knives for your stealth needs and multiple grenade types for when subtlety ends, and limited melee capabilities, but our protagonist's life will in the end depend on his boomsticks arsenal. And game doesn't really disappoint in that case by giving you access to trusty old type like revolver, machine gun and shotgun, but you will also delve into more exotic or variant builds. Now that I think about it I don't think I even came cross all the guns Metro 2033 has to offer.
Lots of soft orange lighting in the game putting the player at east. Usually when he should be at his most alert.
Think less clear-cut RPG stats and more functionality with weapons customization.
Above ground is like a different world entirely that never lets you relax.
It would be impossible to describe Metro 2033's atmosphere as anything short of top-notch. Civilized areas paint a grim picture.
Oh boy, that nightvision on my revolver sure is going to come in handy right now.
Nature of the game also lends itself to being careful with ammo and scrounging for stuff wherever you go by finding keys to unlock safes, loot corpses or whatever is lying around. This feeds into oddly enough present stealth system. I wouldn't say this is a STEALTH game you might imagine when you think Thief or something, but I've distinctly found use for being quiet and taking down enemies without being detected. Hell, there are levels where creeping about is a distinct possibility and there are even alternate routes on top of multiple weapons have the silencer upgrade. Preserving ammunition is a positive that just might make you try it out... and throwing knives are recoverable, instant kill for most human enemies. On the flipside mutants will not participate in your delusions of stealth and have to be dispatched violently unless it's a specific scenario where avoidance is viable.
While I'm on the topic of gameplay I think it's worth pointing out the general impression I got from the game because it plays like an extremely well-rounded product and not something designed by committee. If you're thinking this is a corridor shooter you're only half wrong because it's not like you really go on open world odyssey or anything, but the way progression and levels are laid out you never get the impression game is making you jump through hoops. There's a healthy offering aplenty when you look at individual ingredients – on top of usual FPS trappings you have inclusions like keeping check of your air filter and mask condition, lighter and map to navigate, avoiding traps and enemies, etc. I would've personally preferred one less cart ride when you get ambushed by creepy crawlies, but there is rarely a boring lull in Metro 2033 Redux and designers knew just when to give you a breather by making the plot take you to one of the metros or talk with enigmatic characters to advance the story. Or maybe just have a chat and expand on the world itself.
In terms of presentation I can hardly say anything that's not evident otherwise by one look at the screenshots. It's a gorgeous looking game and makes that orange/cyan color scheme work for maximum easy on the eyes effect. Lighting in particular steals the show. You'd think subway and sewer levels would get old fast, but game starts on a high note and smart decision was made to occasionally throw you out under the open sky for stark contrast. Fitting with the rest of the game, soundtrack is rather subdued and depressing with reliance on strings and busting out that acoustic guitar for maximum “camping at the end of the world” vibe. I wouldn't say underused, but it doesn't steal the spotlight until action scenes step on the stage and guns start singing.
Final Thoughts and Rating?
Odd balancing act of approachable modern shooter tempered by inclusion of just-short-of survival elements and story demanding your attention, if only because you're not clear as to what's going on, Metro 2033 Redux is definitely a worthwhile package. Possibly even a genre standout in recent memory. Oppressively somber atmosphere opposing what it means to be human makes for a good story angle. With still strong presentation I have to say gameplay manages to impress by sheer variety put on display. Occasional bugs and jank can almost be ignored for 4A Games's first effort if this was what they managed to develop. Some clarity in Metro 2033's storytelling maybe could have been a welcome addition, but being in the dark and confused as Artyom on your first playthrough works as intended.
You Are Under Arrest ( Comedy, Action, Drama, 1994, 4 episodes ) + OPENING
Saw You Are Under Arrest and I can definitely say they don't make anime like they used to anymore. Sure, it's a four-part OVA with more budget to go around which definitely shows in exquisite detail and animation, but I think it's more due to sheer effort that went into chase and vehicles scenes in general as well as entire team doing their research. That's not to say our two female police officer protagonists are slouches, though. Is it weird that I'm impressed by the fact anime could seamlessly merge and bounce between action, comedy and drama while integrating all three in equal measure? Maybe it goes back to how Natsumi and Miyuki aren't just color-coded archetypes and instead come off as genuine people in their own right with nuances to their personality. They take well mannered jabs at each other, but at the same time they're consummate professionals when it comes to their job. I can't help but imagine how in modern version they would be exaggerated comedic reliefs who somehow still held onto their jobs as it was pushed into the background to allow more hijinks. Not here. Second half of the OVA is somewhat weaker due to contrived drama otherwise light-hearted drama could have done without, though. Would recommend as relic of bygone days... and Yoriko is best girl.
Drifting Dragons ( Fantasy, Action, 2020, 12 episodes ) + TRAILER
Replace whales with dragons, whalers with drakers and Drifting Dragons is what you get as story soars high into airship territory. Story uses new recruit Takita as POV for the audience as she learns the ropes and play straight man to everyone's antics, but isn't limited to her alone because you really get to know what dozen or so crew members are about and some even get their own story bits for characterization's sake. Which is good because while draking makes for interesting premise it's the slice-of-life and what these people do between hunts which is really the main focus. Couple of story arcs are introduced and resolved to vary things up along the way as we see how and why they do what they do. I think characters themselves could have benefited from more background information, but you could argue they all left their old lives behind and that's the point. It would perhaps spice up their otherwise one-note nature, though. One more take I got from Drifting Dragons is I wish Japan would finally get over their notion that 20-ish frames-per-second looks good with 3D. CG used in the show ALMOST looks right, but it's this intentionally choppy animation that drags the entire affair down which is a shame because we have some pretty damn expressive characters, facially and body language-wise, compared to traditional approach where animators have to be content with only the barest of essentials. At the end of the day it feels like we got a look into regular lives of these drakers and there's no moral preaching about them being evil for what they do or anything.
Strait Jacket ( Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, 2007, 3 episodes ) + TRAILER
Imagine if you will an alternate turn of the 20th century where magic was proven to be real and implement as a force alongside technology in every walk of life from medicine to engineering. This magic also brought forth a kind of curse where people who use it too much turn into body horror monsters dubbed Demons and lose their minds. Eventually so-called “Mold suits” were devised and using them guaranteed safe use of magic. That is, before your casting limit was reached or suit malfunctioned. Enter Sorcery Management Bureau and elite unit of Mold suit wielders who are called to action when Demons appear in kickass power armor knight suits and guns to channel their attack magic. They are called Strait Jackets and these are their stories. Sadly, I think setting and backstory, both of which OVA delivers in bare essentials, are the best part here while the actual “stoic outlaw doing the right thing regardless” is kinda worn out. Rayott Steinberg fits the role as unlicensed Tactical Sorceror at odds with SBA staff as we see three cases over the course of just as many episodes. There's personal drama involved and sort of predictable finale, but I still think Strait Jacket falls flat overall due to uninspired direction or possibly highly limited budget. Suits look great, but I think this may be a case where reading the LN in question may be a better choice due to a lot of elements simply left unexplored. Like the left-wing Ottoman terrorist group or how this variety of magic actually works, for example.
I really love this game, I quite enjoyed its book too and it’s the best Metro adaptation from the book. 2nd game has got nothing to do with the 2nd book and 3rd game, as far as I know, follows the ending of the 3rd and final book of the series. I didn’t play the 3rd game yet so I can’t make any judgements but from the two I played, the 1st game is a great representation of the first book and the Metro franchise overall.
I also loved how there are missions that allow stealth gameplay. The game can be pure FPS for those who want to play it like that but some missions could be passed with a pure pacifist playstyle despite stealth mechanics being very limited. I wish it was possible to stealth mutants too though, not just human enemies. Even though it isn’t canon I also quite welcome having the option to have a 2nd ending, which surprisingly not many people are actually aware of. I wish that good ending was canon :’(
Your review as always was a very enjoyable read :)
Glad to see you around. What are you up to?
2nd game has got nothing to do with the 2nd book and 3rd game, as far as I know, follows the ending of the 3rd and final book of the series.
Interesting. Makes me wonder why such a skip. I guess developers wanted to tell their own story kinda like how CDPR did with Witcher 2.
In hindsight Khan almost spells it out for you that killing everything you see may not be the best idea, but I always got the impression playing Mr. Nice Guy was like a game was setting up a GOTCHA moment or something. You almost had to become cold hearted to survive in a setting like that. So it was a surprise that doing exact opposite is a requirement for the second ending. I liked the “bad” one I got, though.
What are you up to?
Nothing much really.
2nd game feels like it wants to give Artyom some hope after the bad ending of the first game since there is a small group of survivors from the bombing and your mission is to protect them which has got absolutely nothing to do with the 2nd book. No idea how you can like that ending to be honest, it’s too brutal. Dark ones were just the next step in human evolution and they didn’t mean anyone any harm. Genocide wasn’t the answer. This actually really affects Artyom’s psyche in the 3rd book since he has deep regrets about that which somewhat affects his behaviour regarding certain things.
Ps, 2nd book doesn’t have Artyom.
You’re still doing great with completion rate, though. Major kudos.
I think the bad ending fit the world for me, but you are right because the game drops hints you kinda screwed up. Maybe because it actually feeds into good character development later on. Is Exodus based on the books or did they once again go the original route?
Thank you. I’m trying to maintain it but it’s hard when you don’t feel like doing much.
3rd game, as far as I know, follows the ending of the 3rd and final book of the series. I didn’t play the 3rd game yet so I can’t make any judgements.
I don’t know. But the 3rd book had a pretty interesting ending so I can’t wait to play Exodus, once it has a really good sale.
It’s a shame you no longer post, though. Top tier stuff.
It became too stressful and believe me I have enough of it already. I don’t even miss posting. Replying to people I like once in a while is more than sufficient for me. My only worry is that the few people whom I frequently communicated with here might have taken it personal and thought I abandoned them.
Thanks for the compliment. Your code helped shape my layout quite a lot :)
This comment was deleted over 4 years ago.
(I am trying to learn about HTML and CSS and am now stalking your code. :) Thanks for providing a good learning resource!)
Metro 2033 is a game I struggled with quite a bit myself. While the graphics are really a treat, I think the soundtrack and musical underscores were a bit underwhelming. That may have changed in the Redux version though, as I played the original game. What bothered me the most was the railroading though. I felt that you have no power to make decisions for yourself. I admit, that may be intended, since after all Artyom is only a tiny part of the world and you can argue that’s exactly how it should be. I would totally accept that line of reasoning, but I disliked it nonetheless. However, even though I’m not fond of the game, I think one thing from your review is very true: It’s certainly a quite unique game with very well-rounded design. It just wasn’t the right game for me personally.
I wish I was more of a FPS guy to give a better review in terms of gameplay, though. Railroading didn’t really matter as much to me because I didn’t go into the game expecting an RPG or anything, but you can kinda tell it’s not a typical video game story due to having source material. Especially how it goes through support characters and never really fleshes people out as much as I’d like to. Compared to something like STALKER, Metro 2033 definitely comes off as a more viable product if you want to reach that mainstream audience.