The developer, 4A-makers of STALKER series, has done a fantastic job with this game. It feels like a genuine sleeper hit that has plenty of replay value down the road. The game itself feels like a mix of several others, but retains its own identity even though you can see what influenced its creation. The core of the game is similar to the STALKER series in that it is set in a nuclear wasteland area. That is pretty much the extent of the similarity there. Graphically it feels like Fallout3, in terms of how character models look, and how the game handles lighting and normal maps. Gameplay wise, the gun fighting has a few similarities to the Call of Duty:MW franchise, but it also has much more to be unique. The story, though linear, is told with the same amount of depth and care as Half Life2, and uses the same ingame cutscene techniques.In 2013 the world was devastated by an apocalyptic event, annihilating almost all mankind and turning the earth’s surface into a poisonous wasteland. A handful of survivors took refuge in the depths of the Moscow underground, and human civilization entered a new Dark Age.
The year is 2033. An entire generation has been born and raised underground, and their besieged Metro Station-Cities struggle for survival, with each other, and the mutant horrors that await outside.
You are Artyom, born in the last days before the fire, but raised Underground. Having never ventured beyond your Metro Station-City limits, one fateful event sparks a desperate mission to the heart of the Metro system, to warn the remnants of mankind of a terrible impending threat. Your journey takes you from the forgotten catacombs beneath the subway to the desolate wastelands above, where your actions will determine the fate of mankind.
The number one area where this game shines though is in the atmosphere and feeling it gives. It is a true survival horror game in every sense of the word. In your first play through, you will die, allot. The scarcity of ammunition and the multitude of ways for you to be instakilled, or overwhelmed make for one frantic but immersive game. Even after you get used to the flow of the game and the subtle tricks to make an easier time of situations, you still are at high risk if you messup, or you decide to try new ways to tackle a situation.
In the game your currency is your ammunition, Pre-Blast Military Grade Ammo, is the hard currency of the time, and it is usable in any SMG/Assault rifle. Best not to use it though, as its pretty much burning money. Standard shotgun shells, .44 revolver rounds, ball bearings, arrows and 4.45 SMG/AR "Dirty Rounds" are also available for use in weapons. Unless you hunt around allot or make use of non ballistic weapons, you will be running out of ammo, quite fast.
Then there is the gas mask, required for surface and noxious area travel, you have a set amount of time. The counter is in minutes and will decrease over time. The max time for filters is 15min, so even if you have more time then that you need to change filters to keep from sufficating. Your time left on a filter is denoted by a watch you can look at, and how labored your breathing becomes. The mask itself is also vulnerable to damage, and a severely cracked mask is pretty much a death sentence, but you can find replacements lying around. As your filter time runs low, your mask gets distorted by moisture from your breathing as it gets heavier and heavier, slowly obscuring your vision.
You flash light is limited, it will last forever but its range and brightness are determined by its charge level. Which is handled by a kinetic based charging device you need to use every now and then. Night vision goggles are also ingame and are quite useful but they block out the edges of your vision and also need to be charged.
Each of the above mechanics feels tedious on paper, but when put into practice they add to the atmosphere and immersion of the game. The cold haunting presences in the tunnels, frantic mutant fights, and the scarce resources make for one heck of a thrill ride. Each Metro station community you visit has its own feel and soul, and makes you wish it was larger and more expansive to explore.
Throughout the game, you will fight various mutants and human enemies. There are associated XBL and Steam achievements for several ways of dispatching your foes, so go wild and experiment with each weapon. The combat itself is pretty competent, but there are some hit registration issues when certain animations are in use. When enemies are jumping or moving from cover, direct hits don't seem to register, and some enemies take too many hits at times. However, the game treats armored enemies quite well. They do not get an automatic health boost and their armor can be shoot off, or by passed by aiming for joints/seems in it.
On average a playthrough takes 6-10 hours depending on how much you explore, or what you do in each situation. If you're achievement hunting, you will be doing multiple playthroughs, and even if you are not, its still quite fun to play again to try different weapons, and different methods for advancing through the game. The "stealth" parts can be frustrating however, as it seems to be all or nothing. Either you don't get noticed, or everyone and their dog knows where you are.
The PC version is has DirectX 9/10/11 modes and DX11 has the new hardware tessellation feature enabled along with enhanced Depth of Field. You will need a 5xxx ATI card or wait for nVidia's GTX400 series to take advantage of this. Each version also has 39 total achievements.
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