Metro 2033 Review


GAME INFO publisher: THQ developer: 4A Games genre: Shooters MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS n/a	ESRB rating: M homepage: metro2033game.com release date: Mar 16, 10 (released)	Tweet

» All About Metro 2033 on ActionTrip

SCREENSHOTS

COMMENTS

Technically the game didn't exhibit any major bugs during the first few hours of playtime. As soon as some of the more crowded battle situations kicked off, I began to notice AI glitches both with friendly characters and enemies. When one of the monsters attacked me in the sewers it appeared rather confused. To avoid its attacks I kept running up to a higher surface. Each time before reaching me, the monster would accidentally fall off the ledge or down a hole, when it could've easily avoided the drop. In other situations, one of my AI-controlled companions was constantly being attacked by oncoming glowing blobs of some sort. He kept dying frequently because he was clearly too fucking stupid to evade the attacks.

Notice my smooth cheeks, comrade

Take the shot, take it, take it!

Glitches or no, Metro 2033 is a decent survival horror shooter, suitable for any gamer, regardless of the system it's played on. Completing the game on the Xbox 360 was a satisfying experience for me and I'm told it's equally good-looking and fun on the PC. My only gripe is that the story is a bit underwritten for a game based on a novel, I'm sure there was plenty of source material to provide for more thorough character backdrops and extra dialogue. In addition, the game turned out to be shorter than I expected. It would've been great to provide players with more opportunities to explore other locations or to go on optional side-missions.

Otherwise, I have to admit, I've enjoyed Metro 2033 more than the recent S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games. This project is an important testament that more independent, Eastern-based, development companies can create something noteworthy. 4A Games created a top-quality game that stands up to the massive competition coming from Western developers and publishers. We are looking forward to anything new these guys come up with in future.

Important note: The high-res screenshots posted in this review were taken from the PC version of Metro 2033 (in DX11, I believe).

START «

PAGE 1 2

USER SCORE
8.6
YOUR SCORE

RATE IT

0.0

ACTIONTRIP SCORE
8.4 Very Good

HIGHS
A great-looking and surprisingly engrossing survival horror shooter with an amazing atmosphere and fun gameplay, lending a few cool ideas to the ever-popular FPS genre;

LOWS
Unbalanced difficulty, most areas are too gloomy and the flashlight helps very little, glitches may cause aggravation during gameplay, main story's a bit on the short side.

RATINGS GUIDE

22 post(s)

Reader Comments

	Ftmch	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 06:21 am EDT
	Reply The atmosphere is really amazing. I loved the certain part where shadows had a big role aswell, very unique and disturbing.

	Vader	[STAFF] [mail] Apr 01 2010, 06:30 am EDT
	Reply Agreed. Shame it doesn't last a bit longer though.

	Terminator	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 06:34 am EDT
	Reply One of the best games I've played in years. Congratz to 4A Games.

	im_stardust	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 06:39 am EDT
	Reply You are in a metro, areas are supposed to be "too gloomy" and you also find a thing in the game called Night Vision Goggles ! Aside from that it's interesting to see that the best and most ambitious games through out the years have received an average score. I'm not referring only to Metro 2033.
	Cheddar: Such games are only the "best" in your own mind, mang. Aggr... Alchi: You think Bayonetta should've gotten more? im_stardust: Discussing quality with you Cheddar, it's like discussing co... Cheddar: I make specific points and objective comparisons to support ... Alchi: Hey I don't like crappy eastern european games as much as cr... Jedrus: So, the sound assumption is that to have a clear and unbiase... Dupoint: @Cheddar Any attempt to derive a conclusion based squarel... optimus slime: Cheddar, using words like 'cropped' in that context only sho...

	Vader	[STAFF] [mail] Apr 01 2010, 06:46 am EDT
	Reply You lose the immersion and night vision goggles aren't always available. Hm, yeah, I should probably note that in the review.

	Vader	[STAFF] [mail] Apr 01 2010, 06:53 am EDT
	Reply There. I've just put that in. Doesn't change my overall opinion of the game, but thanks for the pointer

	coldhearts	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 07:07 am EDT
	Reply So should i just finish STALKER or get this one?
	Cheddar: This game is better than CoP, imo, despite the loss of the o...

	Sujet	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 07:11 am EDT
	Reply Should have had a one word review, given it a 0.0 and then given real review tomorrow :p
	Vader: Eh? Sujet: as an April fools joke

	Vodoo	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 07:12 am EDT
	Reply not the best games to come out but definitely something sturdy enough to build on. but honestly fuck apocalypse, the idea is old thanks to lots of games and movies. time for something creative and colourful but still retaining violence and perversity. any devs up to the challenge ?
	QuickBrownFox: this coming from the guy whose avatar is wearing a gasmask. Vodoo: i like accessorizing.

	PanteraFan666	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 07:25 am EDT
	Reply I think it needs flying off body parts when you shoot a person creature in the arm or head. Or fatilities.

	Vader	[STAFF] [mail] Apr 01 2010, 07:40 am EDT
	Reply Fatalities. Nah. That's taking it too far.

	tarang231994	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 08:32 am EDT
	Reply its a 9/10 game on the pc m gonna get it soon (considering i dont die playin stalker cop jc2 n witcher enchanted ed.)

	Myst	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 08:39 am EDT
	Reply I didn't read the entire review but the difference in graphics inside and outside are very disappointing. The ground in particular looks like it was designed using the doom engine in 1995. it has no texture whatsoever. I think they put all their efforts for indoor areas which is a shame. Btw where's your C&C4 review??

	Cheddar	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 08:56 am EDT
	Reply 8.4 is a fair score for this game. PC version included.

	Doomsday.	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 10:16 am EDT
	Reply interesting! will not play. must save for Darksiders, Star Craft 2, Crysis 2!

	Vader	[STAFF] [mail] Apr 01 2010, 11:31 am EDT
	Reply Good point. Still, you should try it. I think you'll enjoy it.
	Doomsday.: Hmm.... well, i'll wait till the price comes down a little t... Cheddar: 30 bucks USD seems like a justified value for Metro. You'll... Doomsday.: no problemo! :)

	Darkthor	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 03:13 pm EDT
	Reply Vader,couldn't notice your predicament with the game difficulty...YES,there are areas where you fight the same type of giant mutated..err..cockroaches-moles-...things that die hard,YES, but i found out that the sturdy shotgun,with about...200 shells is enough to plow thru a quarter,or moreof the game without effort (shot ammo is extremely easy to find,and cheap...by scavenging i always hard 300+ ...thus avoiding the temptation to spray 'n pray the basically useless rifle ammo away. I believe it;s fun to say that the end of the game resembles and old-time favourite,namely Penumbra Black Plague's superb ending. For those who never played Metro 2033, I believe the word of the game is...addictive.Even though you;ll struggle to start the addiction,ater a few hours,it kicks into high gear. The weapons could;ve used a little more diversity and less underpowering,but the game would have become a standard rail shooter.The feel of the weapons still feels..horribly wrong,and makes you feel like a useless bug that can be squashed really fast. There are basically no REAL vehicles sections even though you see some of them,, just rail shootings (not so great, but add diversity when you are almost fed up with the area,and the story could have used a little more cutscenes,to offer the story some depth.Indeed,I am waiting for the second part- 2034 (? ),as the books you find here and there throughout the game "say". I believe that certain areas are very hard to go through without a proper mouse, (having the pc version and the x360 borrowed from some dude).As for the pc version...it;s murder on pc reqs (the dreaded 4x minimum setting for texture filtering being from my part the main culprit),and had to use hacked textures to be able to barely play it. To sum it up...an excellent game, and when you finally reach the legendary D6....you'll wow yourself....it;s the best designed area of the game,from my point of view... Play it,enjoy it,even if the gloomy rusky atmosphere feels somewhat bland and not appealing at first...you will definetly get hooked to it pretty soon. personal note: I would have made a non-live scripted intro video for the game explaining what sh*t happened and why was the war started,whats with the nazis (lol? nazi? ran out of ideas there? ) and such...the backstory would definelty add to the atmosphere. I'd give it a solid 9.5 / 10. I wouldn't go as far as to name it GotY....for now. Will wait and see if someting better wil pop up,or will it all go the CNC4'ish drain. (go Alan Wake! go crysis2! )

	tarang231994	[mail] Apr 01 2010, 07:23 pm EDT
	Reply 9.5/10 nic

	Vodoo	[mail] Apr 02 2010, 03:02 am EDT
	Reply the fuck it is. stay content with 8.5, the story isn't much to howl about and MUCH is needed for this game to be polished in every area, they managed only graphics to be spotless, the rest is still under dirt and dust. under comparison of dystopian worlds, Bioshock eats Metro for lunch and offers somewhat better contoured characters as well as better voicing but not by very much i admit. speaking of, the same feeling was had about Bioshock when it came out and received countless 10 point reviews due to the fascination of originality but only after the fog had settled did everyone see faults and rattles in it and pegged the score down a bit, though this pointed out the hypocrisy and stupidity of reviewers everywhere....but never mind. good game, good score. FUCK YOU.

	Vader	[STAFF] [mail] Apr 02 2010, 03:52 am EDT
	Reply Nice summary there Vodoo. Especially the last part.
	Darkthor: gotta love his unrequited sense of proper good manners regar...

	Supcic	[mail] Apr 02 2010, 11:10 pm EDT
	Reply Meh. As overrated as STALKER and just as poorly optimized. The Eastern Europeans need to stick to distilling vodka and sex trafficking.

	Darkthor	[mail] Apr 05 2010, 10:09 am EDT
	Reply East Europe formally invites you to come on a 3 month cruise in our extremely hospitable meat trafficking network,as our main dish :) (for gay people). You will enjoy water sports,outdoor fun,and lots and lots of friendly male exercise,so as to get you ready for our destination in western europe,as in gay french and german as*holes So sign up now,and get ready for the "fun" of your life :)