Metro Exodus

First of all, I would like to start my review by adding the following. I'm a huge Metro fan. In other words, this review will not be very objective. I'll briefly tell you what I like about this game, why I gave it a 9 rating, and why I'm a big fan. First of all, there is a very nice plot in this game that pushes me to go anywhere. Because everywhere you go in the game, there is an accessory, an Easteregg or something worth seeing and exploring. Unfortunately, today's games don't give me that feeling. Because most games take me to a place where I can go outside of the main story, not by my own will, but by force. And nothing noteworthy usually happens. This is a situation that really annoys me. Another thing I like about the game is definitely its story, but I can't talk about its storyline because there will be no spoilers in this review. And finally, the mechanics of the game are very good. Shooting a gun feels realistic. Weapon designs suitable for the atmosphere of the game are used. In short, if you are a Post-apocalyptic FPS lover, I definitely recommend this game to you.

The atmosphere is very impressive, this is by far the best looking FPS I have ever played. The gameplay is awesome and the story is gripping. You can really tell how much care went into development. Every single character is memorable. The feelings are genuine, I actually cared about them. Making every mission that much more intense. The mix between the linear segments and open world areas fits perfect with this game. And cruising around the train while it's in motion through the country is so awesome I've been waiting for a game like this for very long (having a mobile home base in an "open world"). Metro Exodus is everything Fallout / Far Cry should've been. Metro highlights that intense FEAR and HORROR that would come with surviving in the post-apocalyptic world, great survival features / HUD, having to patch up holes in your gas mask if it gets too damaged, changing filters, or even just having to wipe it so you can see better, the depth of each mechanic makes it feel that much more immersive. My main negative criticism would be; it crashed a lot on me (about 10 times), in typical Metro fashion there were segments where I couldn't figure out where to go and I would miss what should've been obvious (I blame the developers, I never beat the other Metro's because of this, I probably just suck). And the ending, either one good or bad, should've been a couple hours longer, I truly feel the story was cut short. I know there's a limit to everything, but after investing all that time I expected to see more fruit of my labor and to be able to play in the orchard of those labor trees for a while longer. Like come on, what if uncharted 4 just ended without that ending you play on the beach? It'd feel like a lil hole is missing. Anyways, this is my favorite post-apocalyptic game by far.

First of all. I've been reading alot of hateful comments on the internet towards 4A games and Metro Exodus. Alot of these comments are about the fact that Koch Media and Deep Silver pulled the game of Steam on the very last moment before it's release and made a time exclusive title for the Epic Store. I don't find this a just reason to publicly destroy the game itself. This was a publisher descision and let's leave it at that. People who want to play this game, just buy it on the Epic Store and play it. Seriously, it's worth it!

I haven't being experiencing alot of problems with the game itself. It did hitch up several times when I tried to leave to game, but no harm done. These are minor bugs that can and most likely will be dealt with soon. Again, not a valid reason to destroy this game in my opinion.

The graphics of this game are amazing! It's a visual masterpiece! The amount of detail in the game world itself is just breathtaking! And every new area you go to aboard the Aurora, shows the power of this engine and the talent behind this game. No wonder they've spent years making this game! And to be honest, it's been worth the wait! Hopefully they put as much time and work in the fourth game, which I'm sure of, will come! This world has many more stories to tell, I can feel it!

Artyom is again the big hero in this game and this becomes more clear towards the end of the story. Many more characters are introduced in the storyline and most of these will see it through to the next chapter, I'm sure of it!

The backpack! What a innovative way of allowing the gamer to customize Artyom's gear! Upgrading and cleaning your weapons and gear. Crafting healthkits, filters, ammo and so on! The customization options are plentyfull. They give you the chance to play the game as you want. You want to play stealthy, you can. You want to go in guns blazing, you sure as hell can! And this backpack gives you that freedom!

Later in the game you have to micro manage alot of this. Keeping your flashlight charged, Switching filters of your gasmask, or making sure your weapon is fully charged! At certain points, just managing this means to survive becomes nerfwrecking, while being on the lookout for scary mutated beasts who will surely attack on sight!

I've said that the game world looks amazing! A beauty! I love the fact they let you play through the seasons of the year, aswell as on different locations spread out over the vastness of apocalyptic Russia! And this is all made possible with the Aurora! A powerfull sovjet relic, or big ass old train locomotive! Along the way you go on the search for a wagon to live in and upgrades for the train itself! So this beast of a machine changes over the course of the game. Again a nice twist to the game.

I can keep rambling on about the quality of this product. But just go ahead and play it! No matter of your a fan of the series or not, this game will get you hooked! Just make sure you don't run out of supplies soldier!

Over and out!

Amazing have a few minus points for lack of characters expressions and many times useless dialogues...

The narrative and story is great, the factions you meet upon Artyom's journey is interesting but with the lack of side quests it felt like there was too little action with the factions, making us wanting more of them. The stuff we did get was simply great. The baron in the desert part felt like a good villain but ended up being dealt with too fast. The forest map was my favorite as it felt realistic and a lord of the flies vibe to it which I liked. The Dead City had some serious Metro 2033 vibes which I loved, exploring a hunted metro is what made the predecessors great as the atmosphere was something we had never seen in a game before and they succeeded in creating something new with the outside world, making all the factions different and interesting whilst keeping the tone the same. All chapters were outstanding, getting everything right. The Volga, Yamantau, The Taiga and The Dead City were superb. The Caspian was the only chapter I felt wasn't as high quality but it was still needed and entertaining to play through. Superb game.

Overall the game needed some side quests but we might get some good story DLCs like in the previous installment. They did a marvelous job at creating well written and likeable characters and giving more attention to the returning characters, making them perfect. All characters that you come across are different and great. I played the game like you were supposed to, killing almost no one and I managed to get the good ending which I loved and I don't want to spoil anything but there might be a sequel in the near future? Would be awesome.