Trouble Beneath the Surface: Metro 2033 Review

From the infestations of the infected in Dead Rising and the Left 4 Dead series to the post-nuclear terrain of the Fallout franchise, the apocalyptic setting is a reoccurring motif in gaming. The theme’s ability to reflect man’s nature may have something to do with its popularity; few premises permit a glimpse into humankind’s savageness and propensity for self-preservation as well as a doomsday scenario. 

Metro 2033, the first console title from Kiev-based developer 4A Games, doesn’t avoid the brutality and dystopia of the genre, offering gamers one of the most evocative environments this side of BioShock. However, the studio’s decision to transpose the setting to a murky Moscow underground transit hub lends the game a distinctive ambiance, nearly elevating Metro 2033 above its sporadic gaffes. Conceivably, gamers who have grown fatigued from the recent deluge of first-person shooters, may just find enough promise to appreciate the title, missteps and all.

At first glance, Metro recalls the conventions of Half Life 2 or the Call of Duty series, with its carefully disguised pathways for players to traverse through. Alone or with the occasional ally, the game’s protagonist- Artyom, treks through the skillfully realized underbelly of the decommissioned subway system. As he passes through cacophonic makeshift pubs filled with billowing smoke, or crumbling passageways lined with noisy pipelines the gameworld feels astonishingly convincing. The title seldom misses an opportunity to develop a sense of unease, from requiring players to don gas masks as they march through pockets of noxious gas to compelling gamers to be prudent with their ammunition supplies.

Later, traces of the Splinter Cell series emerge as ‘run-and-gun’ approaches to many situations become exasperating futile. Mimicking the modus operandi of Sam Fisher, players might find themselves shooting out a few lights and sticking to the darkness, or even circumnavigating foes completely. Luckily, the game rarely requires a specific approach; allowing bullheaded bullet-sprayers to persevere if their skills are up to snuff. The only exception to this is the rare light that is impervious to breakage, which happens to inexplicably resemble the game’s more fragile illuminators.

Sadly, a number of flaws prohibit Metro 2033 from living up to its potential. One of the more frustrating elements centers on the game’s gas masks, which are required in the pockets of toxicity. Strikes from enemies leave vision-obscuring shatter marks, and will eventual render the breathing apparatus useless. When this happens players must quickly scour the area for another gas mask, while the game’s graphics become increasing blurry. Occasionally, gamers find themselves respawned in a location with no masks nearby, forcing a retreat to an earlier junction in the game; I learned this the hard way after 30+ restarts at one point in the game.

Metro’s other deficiency lays in the game’s ballistics; shooting things isn’t as visceral as it should be. Players are given little visual feedback after pumping a few rounds into a mutant rat. Without a hit animation to signify contact with a foe, blasting an encroaching beast doesn’t feel nearly as gratifying as it should. Humans targets fare no better, while they emit the occasional blood splatter, they rarely reel back from chest hits, making many of the weapons in the game feel woefully underpowered.

Despite these nagging hindrances, I found myself consistently returning to the title’s foreboding environments, as the game revealed its paranormal undercurrent. Undeniably, Metro 2033’s subterranean passageways are filled with the developer’s ambitions and drive. Hopefully, the day-one patch that corrected some irksome differences in the game in an indication that the title will receive the polish it rightfully deserves. For patient gamers seeking an alternative to the cookie-cutter FPS’s that line store shelves, you may want to consider a rental pass along Metro’s shadowy rails.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

53 comments

  1. Wow, Desert gave a shooting game a C+

    What the hell is going on.

  2. I heard them gush about the game on a podcast. Dont remeber which one. Maybe 1up.

  3. Drink the KoolAid

    Wow, “C” you later, Metro!

  4. So it’s a fps with some Splinter Cell, and you don’t really like it.

    WOW. Shocked. What happened with Deagle? Please bring him back.

  5. Remember a C+ mean slightly better than average. It’s not the end of the world, people. read the reviews, there’s plenty to like in the game.

  6. Wow, I saw one site gave it a 9/10 the other day.

  7. Is the whole game that dark? Wow, I can barely see anything in that third pic.

  8. I was reading a few other reviews. They said the shooting is poor, but no one said a thing about the gasmasks.

  9. Gay Stormtrooper

    Good review, well written and you clearly state the problems. Good job, Mr. Deagle.

  10. I’m a little surprised too, since I think he grades a little too high sometimes. But NOLA is a bit low.

  11. I’m not Russian out to play this.

  12. Next to no hype on this makes me think this isn’t all that great.

  13. is this $49 or $59?

  14. I bought this yesterday, and really dont like it as much as I thought I would.

    First, there’s no MP. That doesn’t matter much to me, but I know it will to some people.

    Second, the monsters hang out by your feet, and your wepoans aren’t accurate making this not very fun to play.

    Third, the game doesn’t tell you what to do. I had one character tell me to search bodies for ammo, while he opens a door. After a while I died, I didn’t know why. There were no monsters.

  15. Simple answer- Deagle’s doesn’t like commies.

  16. I can already tell, I’m not going to like the game too much. Never liked stealth games…

  17. Is there a demo for it. That might help me deceide.

  18. I see some sites loving this game, others are more ‘meh’ about it.

  19. Review seems fair. I agree a C+ is not a bad grade. I often like C games better than A ones.

  20. Why haven’t the IGNorant crew reviewed this one yet?

  21. STALKER had some issues, and it sounds like this does too. I heard all the voice in the game talk over each other and you cant understand any of it.

  22. Thanks for the review. I’ll have to get this when it drops in price.

  23. Because they all got layed off? Didn’t you hear?

  24. Currently at a 82 on Metacritic- http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/metro2033

    I place a C+ at around 78-79, so this score doesn’t seem far off the mark.

  25. You forgot to mention in has full Russian voice acting. Oh, you didn’t mention voice acting at all, I see.

    http://www.destructoid.com/metro-2033-does-full-russian-voice-if-you-want-161979.phtml

  26. This sounds about right. I wish people wouldn’t overreact when they see an average grade.

  27. Great review. I really like your reviews, Desert!

  28. Good review.

  29. It’s the first horseman Apocalypse, no need to worry.

    Just like others have said, a C+ isn’t a Bad grade, I just have some reservations with the game.

  30. You can change the gamma setting; additionally, you have a headlamp (and later Night vision goggles). I never had a problem with not being able to see.

  31. Whats up withe the glowing green shrooms?

  32. I was looking forward to this one. THQ has been on a roll lately.

  33. Ill wait until this one hits the $20 range.

  34. Really good review. Told me what I needed to know about the game.

  35. I can everything in the pic. Trying adjusting your monitor.

  36. How are the graphics? Some sites are saying great, others say piss-poor.

  37. Actually this got the score I expected.

  38. I plated the game some today, cant say I disagree with the review. I’m still waiting for the game to get good.

  39. I heard your boy Shipwreck tear this game a new a-hole. He said the shooting was godawful.

  40. Not all- 65 out of about 300.

  41. I heard him talk about FFXIII and he mentioned your quote about Battlefield 2 BC 2? Was this coincidence?

  42. My friend got this game, he loves it, can’t stop playing it.

  43. I’ll probably rent this.

  44. I assume it’s post-nuke or are there zombies in the game?

  45. Did Karnov play it at all?

  46. Thanks for the review. I’m hoping the fix those problems in a patch or with a sequel.

  47. I’m sure it was, and I’m sure other people noticed it as well. It’s pretty obvious.

  48. I’m about 5 hours in and I like but don’t love the game. Like said, the shooting feels, just off. Hitting stuff is hit or miss. The CODMW fans will not like this one.

  49. Just picked it up last night. I’ll post some impressions later.

  50. So far I have to agree- great atmosphere, really weak shooting, it really feels like you’re barely hitting anything.

    The ammo system is interesting, there’s pre-nuke ammo which is stronger that the stuff made in the subway system after the war. I got to say it feels a bit like Fear 2, but not as polished.

  51. I actually like the gas mask cracking issue, it adds a level of realism and gives and interesting challenge.

  52. I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read.