What happens when humanity crumbles? If Metro’s dystopian look at post-apocalyptia is any indication many people, doing whatever they can to survive, will become assholes. Yet, even within the claustrophobic confines of Moscow’s underground, there remains hope, and a certain civility. [Spoiler for Metro 2033 follows]

MetroLastLight2

Picking up right after Metro 2033’s events (and not Dmitry Glukhovsky’s Metro 2034) this original tale continues the grim adventures of humanity’s last light, Artyom. When we last saw Artyom (depending on your choices in Metro 2033) we saw him standing atop the tower, having just unleashed a furious torrent of missiles to expunge terra firma of the Dark Ones; a race of supernatural humanoids capable of existing on Moscow’s noxious radioactive surface, expected by the subterranean dwellers to supplant humanity as the dominant species.

Metro Last Light

The decision to obliterate the surface is one Artyom instantly regrets, but there’s a chance for redemption from the genocide; there’s a single survivor, and much of Metro: Last Light is centred around Artyom’s quest to find the last living Dark One and, naturally, kill it  – but the telepathic McGuffin could prove key to humanity’s survival. Turns out the real threat to life in the bleak subterranean tunnels that make up the Metro comes from within; the various armed factions and local militias bundled up within the networked tunnels seem more intent on killing people than any of the creatures. Caught in a power struggle for control of the subway, the human factions of the Metro; the fascists who control the interchanges, the communists of the Red line and the neutral Spartan Order battle for control of D6 – a hidden base in the Metro that’s purported to contain an incredible power.

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In fact, throughout the game your enemies are mostly human, which makes it a good thing that combat is significantly improved over the original game. With tighter controls and improved aiming , it actually feels like a modern day shooter now, instead of just being a compelling narrative wrapped up in the skin of shooter. Stealth too has become a functional mechanic. A light meter on your watch indicates your visibility to enemies, with dynamic music providing audible cues as to whether or not you’re being actively searched for.

MetroLastLight5

To that end, the human AI has been given an overhaul and is vastly improved – but still shy of being smart. Guards will investigate noises as they patrol, and they’re quick to call in for reinforcements, providing good incentive to remain unseen. The monsters that lurk in the subway tunnels and that populate the surface are less nuanced, mostly happy to just swarm at you with melee attacks. There are just a handful of different guns available, cobbled together from odds and ends found lying within the Metro, but the lack of armament hardly matters, with each heavily customisable and bearing its own distinctive, memorable charms. Ammunition (on harder difficulties at least) is scarce, giving Metro: Last Light the air of a survival horror – but it’s desperate and sad, more than it is scary.

MetroLastLight6

And as much as Artyom is the protagonist here, the central character here is the atmospheric Metro itself – putting the game in the company of Half-Life’s City 17, and Bioshock’s Rapture and Columbia. A broken humanity eking out a pitiful survival in Moscow’s metro system, with its gloomy interiors and dark, decrepit corridors providing much of the exposition through environmental storytelling; you’ll find skeletons of families, huddled together. they may be dead, but they died together. You’ll spend much of your time just soaking up the Slavic atmosphere; listening to desperate conversations from other survivors – in between pausing the game to take shots of Vodka so you’ll feel more entrenched within its world.

Unless, you’re female, that is. Metro life doesn’t seem particularly well suited to the fairer sex. It’s a salacious world of misogyny and sexual violence. Nearly every female character is either a prostitute or a stripper with improbable breast physics – or worse, a potential rape victim. The sole exception to that rule is your partnered soldier Anna – but even her mammaries end up exposed.

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Backwards portrayal of women aside, it’s in the synergy of all the little things that draw you into the experience, adding layer upon layer of atmosphere. Ubiquitous gasses and irradiation necessitate the use of a wonderfully claustrophobic gas mask above ground – with a requirement to watch how long your filter will last before you’re left gasping your last breaths; Wiping blood, water and gunk from your visor to keep your vision unimpeded; ensuring your mask remains unbroken; Necessary lights and lamps that require regular charging, and even, the familiar bullet economy with handmade, low-impact rounds serving as ammunition and  pre-fall military grade rounds serving as currency. It all comes together to flesh out the fiction and  build a universe that’s as complete as it is compelling.

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It is, however, a decidedly linear, more accessible and driven affair – with that sort of cinematic hand-holding that makes the gameplay slave to the story. There are a few “blink-and-you’ll-miss-them” optional objectives, but that sense of exploration and wonder, particularly above ground, is largely gone, with much of the gut-wrenching drama unfolding before you, instead of by your hand. It’s not nearly as brave or ground-breaking as its predecessor, but it really doesn’t have to be; 4A games has nothing left to prove. It’s superbly paced and well scripted, and though still missing that necessary level of polish, an experience you’ll be remiss to pass on.

Last Updated: May 28, 2013

Metro: Last Light
Even though you're regularly thrust out of control, it's an experience that highlights the panicked and desperate survival of post-apocalyptia
8.3
Metro: Last Light was reviewed on Xbox 360

52 Comments

  1. TechniKyle

    May 28, 2013 at 12:35

    So, no matter the ending of the first one, it will proceed as if you had the bad one. I was wondering about that after finishing the first one.

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      May 28, 2013 at 12:42

      The “bad ending” is actually the canonical one from the book.

      Reply

      • TechniKyle

        May 28, 2013 at 12:48

        Yeah, I read about the book. Not sure if I want to read it though…

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Commander

          May 28, 2013 at 13:07

          reading about reading? reading-ception?

          Reply

          • matthurstrsa

            May 28, 2013 at 13:41

            Now I’m reading about reading about reading. WILL IT NEVER END!?

          • Trevor Davies

            May 28, 2013 at 16:02

            Now imagine you’re in between two mirrors at the same time as reading about reading about reading :/

  2. Lord Chaos

    May 28, 2013 at 12:39

    so no need in playing the first one? i’ve been waiting for your review so i can buy it, and supplementing my want with replaying fallout.

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      May 28, 2013 at 12:42

      No real need. It’s a good game, but it’s a little broken. just read up on the story, and you’ll be golden.

      Reply

      • Lord Chaos

        May 28, 2013 at 12:44

        cool. yea, i read up on it all. great love for post apocalypse, so will probably stop by the shops on my way home.

        Reply

        • TechniKyle

          May 28, 2013 at 12:49

          Very broken and certain parts of the game are extremely tedious.

          Reply

          • Lord Chaos

            May 28, 2013 at 12:51

            I’m fine with that, used to Bethesda games so not all to bothered. As long as it’s still enjoyable.

          • Admiral Chief Commander

            May 28, 2013 at 13:05

            stealth was a bitch though, managed to get through those achievements, but damn, was frustrating

          • TechniKyle

            May 28, 2013 at 13:49

            I got stuck with an autosave glitch that prevented me from being stealthy in the level with war… sucked big time, so I ditched being stealthy after that.

          • Admiral Chief Commander

            May 28, 2013 at 13:51

            i loved me the stealth parts, although broken, was very tense and fun

          • Sir Twakkus Maximus

            May 28, 2013 at 14:12

            Could handle the stealth, the freaken escort mission in D6 was one of the most frustrating parts I have played in any game! Those stupid moving pimples.

          • Admiral Chief Commander

            May 28, 2013 at 15:01

            o ja, forgot about those balls

        • TechniKyle

          May 28, 2013 at 12:50

          Also, the pacing was a little off for me. Brilliant story though.

          Reply

  3. Umar No Shana

    May 28, 2013 at 12:42

    Waiting for Revelations review now 🙂

    Reply

  4. Rince an repeat

    May 28, 2013 at 12:43

    Great review Geoff. I am actually interested in buying this. Saw a teaser trailer a while ago and thought, wow.

    Reply

  5. Umar No Shana

    May 28, 2013 at 12:43

    Still saving for this one, EXCLUDING ranger mode!…never buying it. but Metro 2033 was beyond superb, flaws and all, I love it

    Reply

  6. Admiral Chief Commander

    May 28, 2013 at 12:53

    why did you give it a 7 because of no mp?

    Reply

  7. Tasty peas mixed with porridge

    May 28, 2013 at 12:53

    This game would have been on my list if the rumors of the CHEAP AS FUCK SEXIST DUKE NUKEM TITS AND ASS that is shoved in and has nothing to do with the context just because A 12 YEAR OLD MIGHT BE PLAYING THIS WINK MATURE WINK TITLE were not true.

    FAIL Treat us like adults dammit.

    Reply

    • Tasty peas mixed with porridge

      May 28, 2013 at 12:58

      Textured vaginas GREAT thanks for that. Thanks for ruining a perfectly heavy atmosphere with cheap SEXISM designed for spotty teens.

      Reply

  8. Admiral Chief Commander

    May 28, 2013 at 12:53

    for those who have not played the first, go out and get playing!!!

    Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      May 28, 2013 at 13:03

      damnz it. fine, both metro’s, finish this playthrough of fallout 3, and then remember me and the last of us. guess i’ll go and spawn more clones.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Commander

        May 28, 2013 at 13:04

        so you want the clones to play?

        i’d have mine do work while i play

        Reply

        • Lord Chaos

          May 28, 2013 at 13:05

          we’re a hive mind, so it doesn’t really matter.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Commander

            May 28, 2013 at 13:05

            i want all the fun, does not want to share

          • Matthew Holliday

            May 28, 2013 at 15:28

            Not sharing, experiencing all at once through a thousand sets of eyes

  9. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    May 28, 2013 at 13:18

    Great review man. Looking forward to eventually being able to get this. Now if only cars would stop breaking down so I can spend some cash on gaming….

    Reply

  10. Tbone187

    May 28, 2013 at 13:21

    Looks and sounds decent…

    Reply

  11. me

    May 28, 2013 at 13:24

    So what, every media bashes Metro: Last Light’s AI, but I haven’t read the same about the far brainless BioShock Infinite AI. If there is any there. Enemies just run like headless chickens all around the battlefield, waiting to be shot dead.

    Besides, I wouldn’t ever agree that Metro: Last Light has uglier graphics than BioShock Infinite, as your grades suggest. Metro is far more detailed game… the faces in BioShock Infinite lack any kind of detail, they are far from human… with their empty glassy eyes. But yet again, you are giving this game nearly perfect 10…

    By the way, wasn’t BioShock Infinite horribly linear as well? “Go to the left corridor for main story or to the right for bonus area, then return to the left corridor”? Why no one ever says that out loud? Weren’t there endless cut scenes in BioShock Infinite, which would make you forget you are playing a game?

    But I guess with a 100 million dollar marketing campaign all that is to be expected. Give the flashy American game 10/10, grade the Ukrainian one far worse…

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      May 28, 2013 at 13:31

      I did not review Bioshock Infinite. Reviews are the opinions of the writers involved. i don’t know if you can tell from reading the review…but I loved Metro.

      Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      May 28, 2013 at 13:34

      You are trying to compare apples to oranges.

      Last Light went for a more realistic, dark look.

      Infinite went more for the “artsy” kind of look. Both succeeded in their various departments.

      Also, he didn’t say Metro has uglier graphics. Read what was said: “the central character here is the atmospheric Metro itself – putting the game in the company of Half-Life’s City 17, and Bioshock’s Rapture and Columbia.”

      He is saying that Metro did what very few games could. Created a living, breathing environment that seems to have a life of its own.

      So in fact he gave a HUGE compliment to the game by stating that it achieved what so few other games have.

      Try not to hate on the reviewer of this article because someone else gave it a bad review.

      @OddSockZA:disqus gave an excellent review above and what I took away from it was that the game was excellent and well worth it.

      Reply

      • me

        May 28, 2013 at 14:11

        I wouldn’t say the review is bad, quite the contrary. It’s a good one. I just hate how overrated BioShock Infinite is. It has flaws. Many flaws. In storytelling included. I guess Geoffrey Tim had to review it…

        In my opinion, a review should include the good and the bad. I’ve been writing professionally, well I am still doing it (obviously not in English). I am well aware how to do paid reviews, I’ve written such myself for advertising reasons. Most of the BioShock Infinite reviews sound exaclty like that…

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          May 28, 2013 at 14:22

          But why are you going on about Infinite? This review had nothing to do with Infinite and the only place it was mentioned was the fact that Metro managed to create a living environment where the scenery and the game world itself feels like a living character. Just like Half Life did for City 17, Bioshock 1 did for Rapture, Bioshock Infinite did for Columbia.

          I understand you are upset about people giving Bioshock Infinite too much credit but this review had nothing to do with it.

          Not trying to be nasty or argumentative. I just don’t think you should be going on about Bioshock Infinite in this specific thread as the article is about a review for Metro.

          Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      May 28, 2013 at 13:38

      I do however, agree with some of your points – I think perhaps many of Bioshock Infinite’s inherent flaws were overlooked, purely because it is Bioshock – though I don;t think it’s an issue of nationalism or patriotism.

      Reply

  12. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    May 28, 2013 at 13:38

    Geoff, one question. The graphics engine, is it tweaked a bit better than the last one in regards to the serious drops in frames when changing detail levels only slightly?

    Metro 2033 really frustrated me because I could run it 100+FPS in 720p but get below 30FPS in 1080p with no change in graphics other than screen res 🙁

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      May 28, 2013 at 13:39

      If you run AMD, it might not be a particularly pleasant experience. It’s very much optimised for nVidia.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        May 28, 2013 at 13:42

        Well, then I’m lucky I’m an nVidia fan.

        Reply

  13. M

    May 28, 2013 at 13:39

    You finished it in 8 hours? I’m 15 hours in and still not finished – about 6 chapters to go still. If you explore, listen to the background conversations (in the market places etc), you can make the game last longer. I’m a big Metro fan (book and games), and I think the first game was better with respect to the atmosphere, story etc. The second game is pretty (and I’m enjoying it), but I’m finding it really easy (on Ranger Mode) compared to the first game which was really tough and had me frantically looking for filters for gas-mask so I didn’t suffocate.

    Here’s a though for the future – make an “Open World” Metro game. Take away the linear progression, and let people explore the Metro station-to-station, doing side quests etc “fallout style”. The world is rich, with all the diverse factions, anomalies in the dark, eccentric characters etc. I would LOVE the freedom to go down some of those side tunnels and maybe sneak up into the Kremlin etc. What do you think?

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      May 28, 2013 at 13:40

      I think you’d end up with something very much like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and that’s not a bad thing at all.

      Reply

      • Trevor Davies

        May 28, 2013 at 13:47

        Hearing Stalker 2 was cancelled was one of the saddest moments of my gaming life.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Commander

          May 28, 2013 at 13:50

          same here man, luckily i have xcom to keep me busy

          Reply

        • Sir Twakkus Maximus

          May 28, 2013 at 14:25

          Hopefully some company with some balls will pick it up and finish it. I rate STALKER Pripyat as high as HL.

          Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      May 28, 2013 at 13:41

      Mmmm. Interesting idea but I don’t know if that would do as well. Making it open world MMO may rob it of it’s atmosphere.

      But, if done right with a lot of thought and care it could be amazing. They just need to be able to keep the clausterphobic feel while making it a large open world that would naturally have vast open spaces.

      I’d still like to see an attempt though.

      Reply

      • M

        May 28, 2013 at 13:52

        Agreed. Perhaps a prequel to the first game, with limited exposure to the surface due to radiation storms etc.

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          May 28, 2013 at 13:54

          Could work

          Reply

    • Admiral Chief Commander

      May 28, 2013 at 13:51

      i’d play that in a heartbeat

      Reply

  14. matthurstrsa

    May 28, 2013 at 13:44

    Nice review. Still playing through the first one and enjoying the little bit I’ve played so far. Very tense.

    Reply

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