MCV @ GAMESCOM PREVIEW: Metro Redux

Metro has been remade.

The cult survival horror shooter Metro 2033 and its sequel Metro: Last Light are being remastered for the latest generation bof consoles and PC as the Metro Redux double pack.

2033, which is an adaptation of the Russian novel of the same name, and Last Light follow the tale of Artyom, a 20-year-old survivor of a nuclear war that took place in 2013. Artyom ventures outside of the titular underground network and discovers an irradiated Moscow populated by mutated creatures and supernatural beings.

A BEAUTIFUL END OF THE WORLD

Metro 2033 has been rebuilt using the latest version of developer 4A Games’ in-house graphics engine, introducing all of the graphical and gameplay improvements seen in Metro Last Light to the original game. 2033, which was renowned for its graphical fidelity before being remastered, will now include advanced lighting, dynamic weather, higher detail characters, smoother animation, dynamic destruction and improved particle effects.

Regarding gameplay, enemies will utilise advanced AI, players will experience tweaked combat and stealth mechanics, improved weapon handling and more responsive controls.

Signature features from Last Light will also be added to 2033, including the one-button mask wipe and weapon customisation.

Last Light Redux has also been granted a visual makeover and gameplay readjustment, with 4A stating that it has implemented the ability to check the protagonist’s watch and inventory, as requested by fans.

The Redux iteration of Last Light will come with all of the content offered as part of the original Last Light’s Season Pass, providing roughly 10 extra hours of single-player gameplay.

SMOOTH OPERATOR

The new PS4 and Xbox One console hardware will provide a smoother gameplay experience than what was possible on PS3 and Xbox 360. The Redux iterations of both 2033 and Last Light will run at 60 frames-per-second, often favoured by shooter enthusiasts.

Redux also provides players with the chance to play both Metro games in the realistic Survival game mode, which adapts Last Light’s gameplay to be more like the original survival-based challenge of 2033.

However, for those that prefer the faster-paced action experience of Last Light, both it and 2033 can be played in the Spartan play-style, granting Artyom an extra set of combat skills, such as stealth take-downs.

There’s also the previously Limited Edition-only Ranger mode, which adds an extra layer of difficulty to the games.

It seems that even in the post-apocalypse, there’s plenty for players to do.