Metro: Last Light

Post-apocalyptic games make a comeback year after year. No matter what the scene it always seems to be the same. Whether it is zombies, aliens, whatever you have thought about, I am sure it is has been made into a game or a movie already. But what makes a post-apocalyptic game good? Some key things that make a post-apocalyptic stand out and make it great can be gameplay, great storyline, and even the strategy used to get through the game. In this review, I will be discussing how well Metro: Last Light shines as a post-apocalyptic game sector.

Game Background

I find that Metro: Last Light is unique from the background of the game. To start with, the perspective is from a Russian character. How many games are based on a different perspective? I have not heard of many games that are based on a Russian perspective in many games, never mind post-apocalyptic games. Great to see some diversity here. The game follows from Metro: 2033, another first-person shooter.

This game follows from that perspective as a first-person shooter. The player plays as a character named Artyom who is obviously Russian. The scene is set with people living in the subway due to the high levels of radiation. And if you have not guessed the subways are in Moscow which of course is in Russia.

Gameplay

Spoiler alert! The game has a great and I do mean a great storyline. So, if there is one thing that I can give Metro: Last Light it would have to be a great storyline. It does seem to go off course just a little bit in the game, however. In the beginning, it would seem that the focus is on about political struggles between the different fractions that live in the subways. From there it seems that the focus is then shifted from political struggles to the supernatural beings living on the surface.

Not a huge make or break for me but just something the player should be aware of. Other than the focusing changing, the game I very easy to follow. Lots of lore to connect things together and smooth going. The presentation of the game is beautiful, from the post-apocalyptic subterranean Russia scenery to the dark and tight underground and the radiated surface, this game keeps the player well immersed in the game. The developer always pays close attention to the little details throughout the game as well. Things like listening in to the AI having conversations lead to learning about however day life struggle in the subway is really like.

These types of little details are what keeps the game interesting. Other little details that really make the feel the player in living with the characters in the game are the paintings on the walls. On the walls, some paintings were left behind from the previous generation that did live on the surface. This gives the new generation a feeling of what it was like to live on the surface before the apocalyptic. Nice subtle details, but some that personal I can really get behind.

Performance

There are not loads to speak about here. There are some occasional hick-ups here and there. The player may encounter some bad AI movements here and there. Things as in uneven AI damage to the player. The game does some have some technical issues that include some screen tearing and some issues with textures not loading correctly. If one is playing on a console, there are problems with console freezing as well. Granted they are rare, but they still happen.

My verdict

Straight off the bat, I do love this game. The storyline does a great job of keeping the player wanting more. The game is about 10 hours of playtime which is a nice comfortable amount of game time. The developer does make sure to keep details almost perfect. The lore in the game does connect to gameplay which is a big plus for me.

Pros

• The storyline keeps you wanting to play
• Attention to little details
• Presentation of the game

Cons

• The gameplay could have been a little better
• Technical issues
• Screen tear and console freezing