Next stop: Metro 2033

Hand Cramps

Nick Fitzpatrick

May 11, 2010 3:34 PM ADT

Metro 2033 is the first first-person shooter horror game that has yet to make me crap my pants. The game keeps a good balance of fear and being badass - a good balance to have.

The game takes place in the year 2033 with a post-apocalyptic Moscow as the backdrop. With the world destroyed by nuclear warfare, people were forced underground in the metro stations. Life is a constant struggle and food can be scarce. Scavengers are sent out to find scraps to feed their people, but the chances of them coming back are slim. With the dangers of bandits and mutants lurking in the uninhabited tunnels, finding supplies turns out to be a battle.

You play as Artyom, a young man raised in the metro stations. He occasionally goes to the surface in search of supplies and finds himself bound to a promise, a seemingly small task. Little does he know, his actions will decide the fate of humanity.

Depending on how you want to play the game, you can either play it stealthy or Rambo style. There are plenty of stealthy choices you can make in every map, as well as covert weapons such as the throwing knives or the silenced revolvers. The first thing you'll notice about the game is its uncanny way to be the most linear game you have ever played. Even Mario had the ability to go back and play through levels. Don't let that discourage you, though. It is linear (to the extreme), but it doesn’t take anything away from the experience. Although, it makes the replay value go way down.

While walking on the city surface, I had wandered into a building that had no light (despite the fact that it was daytime), and little did I know the lump I had seen in the middle of the hallway was not dirt or debris, but rather a snarling mutant wanting a midday snack. When I realized what it was it had already jumped for me. I was able to say “oh shit!” before it was on me, growling and drooling. I promptly stabbed it in the head and went on my way, but I learned to be much more cautious. The point of this little story was to point out how great the graphics are and how dynamic the sound is. They both add to the overall feel of the game, making it creepy and fun.

Overall, Metro 2033 is a great game and a unique FPS. It has great graphics, dynamic sound, and a fantastic, involving storyline. But is it worth the $60 price tag? Perhaps, but since it’s so linear and has no multiplayer, which means it has almost no replay value. However, it is a relatively long game and could keep you busy for a while. So, if your one who needs a multiplayer mode, then rent it. If not, spend the $60 because it’s a good buy.