Metro Exodus is the finale in the Metro trilogy that began with 2033 and continued with Last Light. Based on the popular Russian novel series written by Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Exodus deviates from the novels to do its own thing and it does it masterfully. The game has super immersive storytelling and atmosphere, seamlessly blending survival horror, open-world exploration, and gripping character-driven drama.
Set in a hauntingly beautiful post-apocalyptic Russia, every moment feels personal as you journey with Artyom and his crew on the Aurora train HUB world, searching for a new life amidst the ruins of civilization. The characters are richly developed, each with unique personalities, hopes, and struggles that make you genuinely care about their fates. From heart-wrenching sacrifices to moments of hope and camaraderie, the story grips you with its raw humanity and moral dilemmas. Add to that intense combat, resource management, and breathtakingly detailed environments, and you’ve got a game that’s as emotionally engaging as it is thrilling to play. If you’re like me you’ll be excessively wiping down your face shield.
I recommend playing through the first two games as each game improves upon the last. This seemingly conclusive entry to the series carried the most emotional weight for me. Without getting into spoilers, the canonical ending resonated heavily with me and is amongst my favorites I’ve seen in a games narrative. I strongly suggest trying to play through the game as pacifistic as you can. There are very obvious exceptions where you can just go guns blazing and slaughter through very objectively evil hoards of enemies (you’ll known when you’re there).
This entry alone was such an incredible journey and I would be satisfied if this is where the series truly ended. I’m going to checkout the book series next to see how it compares to the games stellar adaptations.
Verdict: 9/10
https://opencritic.com/game/6847/metro-exodus
(A satisfying conclusion to Artyom’s legacy)
Spasibo,
Mikhail