After spending in the dark for years, it’s time to claim back what was once ours. We’ve been hiding underground for too long, it’s time to search for a new location which we can call home. It won’t be an easy journey and we’ll often question our path but moving forward is the only possibility, without it, we would be lost forever.

A new direction

Metro Exodus is the newest game in the franchise and once more follows the story of Artyom and his beloved Anna. After spending years in the dark metro networks, they managed to finally defeat the Dark Ones at the end of Metro: Last Light. If you played the Metro games before, you might recall the claustrophobic feeling while maneuvering through the narrow tunnels of the underground world. The world of Metro isn’t a happy one and danger is lurking behind every corner. If you want to survive, you’ll need to adapt to your situation. Based on the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky, the games always managed to set the tone for a dark and thrilling adventure. Where the previous games played it safe by offering a set path with set-piece, Metro Exodus tries things differently.

This is by far the most ambitious project of 4A Games and you can tell right from the start. Where the previous Metro games took us to dark and unsettling underground locations, Metro Exodus takes things to the real world above. Artyom leaves the tunnels behind and trades it for a broken train in which he’ll travel through entire post-apocalyptic Russia. This story spans over a virtual year and is divided into four seasons, all with a different map, different monsters, and different goals. I won’t spoil a single thing of the story in this review but one thing’s for sure. This is by far the most thrilling and spectacular Metro game out there. It’s a worthy conclusion to an impressive franchise and that’s mostly because of its unique combination of freedom and guidance.

Different seasons, different challenges

Since the game is divided into four seasons, you’ll never know what to expect. I really liked this system since each season felt like a different game. During the seasons, you’re free to discover that specific map at your own pacing, without ever being forced to be somewhere at a certain time. This exploration of your environment, constantly searching for new loot and better weapons feels extremely natural in Metro Exodus. Although the game moved from dark tunnels to a vast world above ground, the feeling of claustrophobia never disappeared. That’s because you’ll constantly feel small in trapped in a world that’s not the same as you remember. The game still flirts with the survival horror genre and if you want to survive, you’ll need to calculate each and every step you take.

Since weapons and ammo are scarce, going in guns blazing will immediately end in your death. Bullets are the currency in this game, shooting them at random monsters isn’t a smart idea. Instead, you’re encouraged to scout your environment, track down your enemies and take them down with a weapon you can re-use, such as your crossbow. Each season offers a new challenge which I won’t spoil here but be prepared for the unexpected. Each season has its own difficulties and surviving them all isn’t that easy. The developers found a great balance between an open world and guided game thanks to this unique system. At most times, you’re free to discover the world as you please while at others, the game will push you in certain directions, giving you that typical Metro feeling from the past games. I really adored this balance as the team didn’t go overboard with the open world aspect, they know the franchise to the bone and they truly understand what works best. Living through all four seasons is a serious challenge but one that’s extremely rewarding once you reach the end.

Find your own path

Although the game does still feature some guide segments filled with set-pieces, the game offers you an amount of freedom that’s unseen for a Metro game. This also comes with some consequences. During your quest, you’ll constantly have to make sure you have enough bullets or found enough materials to craft new weapons. You can craft small things on the go, but the bigger and better weapons are crafted on specific tables, finding those in your environment is crucial for your survival. Also take note that your tactical gear like flashlight and gas mask always have to be ready and functional, without them, you’re lost to the hostile world. It’s a lot to keep track of and I’m sure not everybody will like it, but then again, it’s the most realistic way of portraying a year in post-apocalyptic Russia.

I really liked this scavenging aspect of the game since it forces you to discover everything the map has to offer, and that’s a lot. The team really gave it their all to create the most accurate version of their world. It’s filled with deadly monsters and other wildlife so everywhere you go, there’s something to see. But, be warned! Every action has a consequence and since the game gives you a crazy amount of freedom from the start, you never really know who to trust and who to kill. At the end of the game, you’ll be judged by your actions and depending on your decisions, you’ll see a certain ending to the story. Again, it’s harsh but it’s another great example of how the team managed to make this experience as realistic as possible.

Beautiful disaster

The gameplay isn’t the only aspect of the game that makes it this realistic, the graphics also help a lot. Metro Exodus is by far the best looking game in the franchise and it truly impresses me to see what kind of world the team managed to create. As said before, the world really comes to life and there’s something (deadly) to see behind every corner. It all results in an atmosphere that gets you hooked the moment you start your dangerous quest. The world of Metro Exodus is a world filled with disaster and unseen danger, never will you walk around without worrying about what you might encounter next. While playing it often reminded me of The Walking Dead since, in the end, you’ll feel alone and it’s hard to trust anyone in this world. The way the team brought their vision to life is truly impressive and I’m sure you’ll enjoy every second of this new frontier.

But, it’s not perfect

Metro Exodus is a huge leap forward compared to the previous games but it still has some flaws. For example, the open world isn’t perfect and you’ll run into some small hiccups while discovering everything there is. I don’t have big issues with this since the hiccups are always small and never did I run into something that broke the entire game for me. What did bother me a bit more was the balance of combat. The game motivates you to upgrade your weapons and take your enemies down as silently as possible at one point while at another point, you’re assassinating an entire village with only your crossbow. It’s a shame moments like these take you out of the immersion since it simply feels too unrealistic. It might be my personal opinion, but those moments did bother me. Other than that, I enjoyed the solitude in the vast world a lot!

Conclusion:

Metro Exodus is an impressive game filled with memorable moments. No longer are you fighting in dark and narrow corridors, this time, you’re traveling across post-apocalyptic Russia. The combination of open-world gameplay and more guided segments really works and results in a game that feels fresh and thrilling from the start. It’s never easy to survive and you’ll have to sacrifice a lot of your time looking for better equipment, but in the end, it’s an unforgettable journey worth taking.

8.5/10

Tested on PlayStation 4 Pro