Game Name: Metro: Last Light
Developer: 4A Games
Publisher: Deep Silver
Release Date: 14 May 2013
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Introduction
Last week, I finished Metro 2033 and I liked it. It was a good entry into the series but had a few short comings. I also played the Redux version which was the remaster in the Metro: Last Light engine.
So I planned on playing the trilogy this year and I started playing the sequel Metro: Last Light. Does it build on the first game and does it make any improvements? Let us see and find out.
Story
The story takes place a year after the events of Metro 2033. As you might have known already, Metro 2033 had two endings.
The Good Ending
This is when you basically decide not to kill the Dark Ones.
The Bad Ending
The missiles are launched and you kill the habitat of the Dark Ones.
Metro: Last Light continues from the point of view of the bad ending.
You start the game in D6 which has been occupied by The Rangers, which are a peace keeping crew. Khan, who Artyom met in the first game, joins you again and advises The Rangers that not all of the Dark Ones have perished. There is one Dark One that remains and it should be found before he falls in the wrong hands and he gets killed. It may be humanity's last hope.
Unlike the first game where you are not told much about the Dark Ones, this time, you get to know them a little better and understand where they come from.
The rest of the story is your journey to help the child Dark One as a Ranger. Like any story, nothing is smooth.
Metro: The Last Light Redux (XBOX One) - Sample Gameplay
Bottomline
I think that this sequel built on what it did so well in the first game and expanded on it. I would be hard pressed to find someone that found the sequel worst than the previous game.
Although the menu options in Metro Last Light are the same as in Metro 2033 Redux, you would think that there would not be much of a difference. In both the games they advise that Metro 2033 is meant to be played more in the stealthy mode and Metro: Last Light is more action oriented. However, you can choose the mode that you want to play in. I found that it did not do much of a difference in Metro 2033 but there was a significant difference in Metro Last Light. I chose the one with more action and there is more action to be had. You are supposed to find more ammo with this option. I felt like I was not looking for ammo as much. It seems there was always enough to go around.
Even after almost 6 years later, the graphics look awesome. It looked good for Metro 2033 Redux and it is just as good here. There are some area's where I would have liked to explore more but due to the lack of air (surface air is toxic and you need a mask to breath), I would not be able to do it for a long time.
The sound for this game is creepy as hell and it is amazing. You feel like you are playing a futuristic horror game. Talk about refreshing. When you walk in the tunnels, you hear some random noise or water dripping. When listening to that with noise cancelling headphones it feels like you are in the game. In terms of atmosphere, I feel like it felt very much like Dead Space.
I really liked the flow of the game. The first game felt uneven in some parts. Here, you have sections that are stealthier and others where, it is in your face gun fights. What I like is that you can choose the way that you complete a section. You can go guns a blazing or you can take your time and sneak around. In that regard it vaguely feels like the new Deus Ex games, where you have multiple solutions to a problem.
The one thing that I am not a fan of and it seems to be something that will forever be in the game, is the fact that there are always alternate endings. You have the Redemption ending (good) and the bad ending. Without spoilers, the good ending is what continues into Metro Exodus.
The fact that the ending can vary is not what bothers me. The issue that I have is that to get the good ending, you need to accumulate good karma. The problem is that it never tells you what good karma is. So there are random places in the game that when you can gain good karma, you have a white light that seems to shine. However, it never tells you how much of it you need to get the good ending. Also, if the good ending is going to be the one that they use to move on to the next one, shouldn't it be the main ending and the alternate would be a fun thing to see? That aspect disappointed me a lot but in the grand scheme of things it is quite minor.
I found the game to be engaging. I feel for the character of Artyom. I believe that this was missing from the first game. I was playing as Artyom but I did not really feel a connection to him. Here he seems to have morals and he has to make decisions that can decide the future of the Metro and the world. You feel for him in the good moments and during the bad ones. Although it is a linear story, it does feel that it flows better.
I recommend this game for any action horror fans out there. If you are a fan of the new Wolfenstein series, Dead Space series or any good scary FPS, then this is right up your alley. I did have a few jump scares which was cool. This game is made to be played in the dark with a good stereo or pair of headphones. You will not be disappointed.
Let us know what you think about the game.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Arroundtable
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aroundtable.ca/
Email: allroundtable@gmail.com
Website: http://www.aroundtable.ca/