Metro 2033

If you've ever commuted on your local subway, you've probably spent some time fantasizing about a dystopian universe based on living in this underground network. Metro 2033 is a novel that takes the concept seriously, and the video game brings it to life. Have you really ever wondered what it would be like when all hell breaks loose on the surface - and you're forced to live underground?

The game based on a Russian novel has now been turned into a game. As it turns out, when Eastern European studios decide to turn local literature into media-based offerings, the results are usually fantastic. This dark concept is honing in on some high player expectations for the game, so let's see if they manage to deliver.

Stuck In Line at the Post-Apocalypse

Metro 2033 is translated from a novel into a first-person shooter with survival elements. It's the perfect genre capture for the dark and dreary world that the author provides. The setting is Moscow in 2033, two decades after a nuclear war devastated the region - a handful of survivors live beneath the once glorious city in the metro network.

The narrative is in-depth and stems in many intriguing directions - the core of surviving attacks by a horde of monsters from the street level. We won't spoil the rich storylines waiting to be told, but there are choices to be made that have impacts on gameplay. The implementation of the literature against the visual settings is arguably the best part of Metro 2033.

Then we get to the mechanics, which are underlined with great ambition from the developers. The first-person shooter mixed with survivalism seemed like a great idea. However, they do fall a bit short considering a broad choice of weaponry available with no ammunition to load them with. Combat is also a bit shaky when encountering challenging enemies.

Metro 2033 does a brilliant job of bringing you into the universe and delivering the atmosphere. However, it definitely could use work creating a more fluid gameplay structure rather than implementing mechanics against the original author's narrative. Much of the gameplay seems confused, but nevertheless - it's still enjoyable purely to explore this post-apocalyptic universe.

A Drudge Through the Underground

While Metro 2033 falls short of gameplay expectations, there is enough to enjoy about the game to keep you stuck in. The survivalist elements are hardcore, and although broken - many players will see this as a challenge rather than a nuisance. The dark atmosphere and lively underground tend to cover up some of the more dire issues.

Pros:

• Immersive visuals that set the tone for the post-apocalyptic world
• Sights and sounds give the idea of a functioning underground society
• A strong narrative relatively faithful to the book

Cons:

• The first-person and survival mechanics don't combine well
• Feels linear when you're encouraged to explore
• Combat can be frustrating