By Stroud Metro Exodus takes the haunting atmosphere and gripping storytelling of its predecessors and expands the world beyond the claustrophobic tunnels of the Moscow Metro. Developed by 4A Games, the game continues Artyom’s journey in a way that is both ambitious and visually stunning. However, while Exodus retains the immersive feel that made Metro 2033 and Last Light so special, its shift to open-world-style areas and more expansive gameplay sometimes pulls it too far away from what made the series truly unique.
One thing Metro Exodus does well is maintaining the franchise’s signature atmosphere. The eerie silence of abandoned structures, the unsettling growls of distant mutants, and the chilling remnants of a lost world all contribute to the game’s tension-filled experience. The environmental storytelling remains excellent, and every location tells a story of devastation and survival. The game is visually stunning as well, with impressive lighting and detailed environments that make each new area feel alive, even in their desolation.
However, where Metro Exodus diverges from its predecessors is in its structure. Instead of focusing on the tight, oppressive underground tunnels that made the first two games so gripping, Exodus takes players across a variety of open environments, from deserts to forests to icy wastelands. While this shift to larger, semi-open areas offers more freedom, it also dilutes the intense, suffocating tension that made Metro feel so unique. The isolated, desperate survivalism of the Metro is replaced with more traditional open-ended missions, and while these areas have their moments, they don’t quite capture the same feeling of dread and urgency.
The side missions scattered throughout these open zones also feel like a departure from the series’ core strengths. While they provide interesting backstory and world-building, many of them feel unnecessary and break up the momentum of the main narrative. Instead of feeling like a desperate struggle for survival, these missions often feel like typical open-world objectives, which, while not inherently bad, don’t fit seamlessly with the Metro formula.
That said, the core story of Metro Exodus is still strong, with Artyom and his companions on a quest for a better future. The characters are well-written, and the game does a fantastic job of making you care about the crew of the Aurora. The personal moments and relationships that develop throughout the journey add emotional weight to the story, and the voice acting helps bring the characters to life.
In conclusion, Metro Exodus is a visually stunning and ambitious evolution of the Metro series, but one that strays a bit too far from what made the originals so special. The game still delivers incredible atmosphere, strong storytelling, and immersive survival mechanics, but the transition to larger, open areas takes away some of the tension and intimacy that defined Metro 2033 and Last Light. While it’s still a great game, it may not fully satisfy those who fell in love with the claustrophobic horror and oppressive underground world of its predecessors.