I have to admit that when Metro 2033 was released in 2010 it was a game that at the time I didn’t really care much for.  Not because I didn’t like the look of it, it was in fact more a case of, I didn’t know too much about it and it flew right under my gaming radar.  So several weeks after its release it randomly appeared in the post as the next game from my gaming rental service.  So not expecting much, I put the game into my Xbox 360 and by the time I had finished its engrossing campaign, the game had me well and truly sold.  So much so that I was yelling from the roof-tops of this game that I originally knew very little about and it led me to even pick up the novel by Dmitry Glukhovsky in which this game is based upon.

This unfortunately was the case for many gamers; many in fact never really gave this game a second thought, which was a crying shame.  At the time, it was well and truly one of the most immersive, yet under-appreciated games of its time, as sales figures failed to hit the dizzy heights it perhaps deserved.

So fast forward to 2013 when we saw the release of its well deserved sequel in Metro: Last Light.  While it received more acclaim then the original game, it still never quite got the recognition it again perhaps deserved, but at least finally word was getting about in regards to these two superb games.  Now let’s fast forward a little more to the present day and the Metro series gets another attempt to shine with Metro: Redux.

 

Metro Redux released for the PC, PS4 and Xbox One features both Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux.  Both games have had a graphically overhaul for the new generation, gameplay tweaks and include all previously released DLC, not to mention having the option of playing each game in your chosen play-style (more on that later).  Each game now looks a little less grey and considering your located in a grim, post- apocalyptic mutant infested world, the environments now have a little more vibrancy.  Not to mention that both games run at a smooth 60fps at 1080p and during the more hectic moments, you can really tell the difference.

From the perspective of the last generation console, at their time both Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light were great looking games, a little bit on the grey side, but great looking games none the less.  Naturally with it being the most recent of the two games, Metro: Last Light was and still is the most visually impressive of the two games.

Developers 4A Games have almost quite literally re-built these games to ensure they look the part in the new generation and their hard work clearly shows.  Not only do the environmental textures have a higher level of detail, but the lighting is a joy to behold and will surely have many utilising the PS4 share feature.  When submerged from the underground and you’re trekking the deadly outer landscapes watching the weather suddenly change its course is an impressive sight.  Just about everything in Metro Redux looks new gen and for someone totally new coming into this gaming series, I’m sure the thought of this originally being a last gen game, wouldn’t even cross their minds.  Without seeing the game in action and playing each generation instalments, it’s difficult to explain the visual improvements made to these games.  So just checkout the comparison video below and you will see the clear difference between the two versions.

 

If I would have some minor criticism of the two games in the visual department, then it would be that some of the character animations do look a little odd from time to time.  I know it’s an area that the developers have worked on, but considering the environments and even the attention to detail for each mutant has clearly been improved, oddly the character animation for the NPC’s don’t seem to be up to the same kind of standards.  Their facial expressions look a bit stiff and seem to lack the attention to detail that others have had in the visuals department.  Also when I approached the end of Metro: 2033 Redux, some of the very few cutscenes in the game appeared to be in lower resolution and suffered from a slower framerate.  It almost seemed that while much of the game has been drastically improved in terms of visuals, it was almost like these ‘late-one’ cutscenes were forgotten about.  But this is a minor criticism to what are two great looking games.

Not only has each game had a visual upgrade, they have also received some gameplay improvements too, which utilises the best features from both games and implements them in both.  For example each game now features the watch and inventory checks, which was absent from Metro 2033.  This may seem meaningless at first thought, but along with the subtle wipe of the gas mask when splattered with blood or water, its these little differences that helps make the games as immersive as they are.  Both games now feature weapon customisation and improved stealth take-downs.

But for me, possibly the best of all the gameplay improvements is that upon starting each game, you are given the option of two particular play-styles.  For example, while Metro 2033 was slower paced, it required more stealth and ammo was a little more scarce, Metro: Last Light was more action orientated, similar to what you might expect from a traditional FPS, yet it still had its fair share of stealth and horror.  In Metro Redux you now have the option of choosing Survival or Spartan play-styles.  Survival representing the play-style of Metro 2033 and Spartan representing Last Light.  Now you can play Metro 2033 in the style of Last Light or Metro: Last Light with the tone of 2033.  It really is a great addition to the game, potentially encouraging multiple playthrough’s for each title.

 

It was also said that the A.I for the NPC’s have been improved in the Redux editions.  In the original Metro 2033, during the many stealth sections, you were inevitably bound to be spotted by the enemy from time to time.  This became increasingly more irritating at times, especially when you would appear to lose the line of sight of the enemy, but yet they had the knack of sniffing you out, no matter how well you lost their sight or the hiding place that you found.  This at times also happened in Metro: Last Light, it was almost like you had a fire cracker shoved up your backside or at least evoked childhood memories of that friend that used to cheat at hide ‘n’ seek.

Now thankfully in both the Redux games, while some of the enemies do have the knack of tracking you down (mainly with the mutant types), it is now more possible to lose the human NPC.  Which when all hell breaks loose, when you have found a good hiding spot and the dust has settled, you can remerge to pop some silent caps in their asses once more.  This level of frustration that has been removed from these enhanced versions of the games is a god send (for me at least) and I’m sure this will be welcomed by many other gamers alike.

 

In terms of audio, the games soundtrack is superb and regardless of which game you’re playing, they both do a splendid job to immerse you further into their story.  The voice acting also for the most part is believable and you should grow attached somewhat to some of the characters that tag along with your for large portions of the game.  But I would say that some of the accents within the game (not all) do sound a little funny, they almost sound like my poor attempt at a Russian accent.  With Metro Redux featuring both visual and gameplay improvements, I only wish that they had reworked some of the voice acting in both games and you can’t help but snigger at some of the dodgy accents within the games.

If you buy each of these games individually via digital download on the console, you would be looking at paying £15.99.  Which to be honest, considering the improvements made to each game and the fact that they both come with all previously released DLC, it represents decent value for money.  Should you buy the Metro Redux bundle digitally, at this time you would be looking at paying around £30, which again is decent value for money.  But if should buy the bundle on physical disc, if you shop around well enough, you could very well be looking at paying £25 or less, which is incredible value for both games and their DLC.

Depending on how you play the games, you should be looking at around 10-15 hours for each campaign on your first playthrough and even on the normal difficulty, both games offer a challenge.  Though should you want an added challenge, you can always take on the Ranger or even Ranger Hardcore.  But when you then throw in the hidden items to hunt down, the Survival and Spartan play-style variations, not to mention getting through all the DLC (which adds around 8-10 hours of extra missions alone for Last Light from an alternative perspective), you are looking at many hours of gaming bliss.  Other then possibly The Last of Us: Remastered, you could be hard pressed to find a game pound for pound that offers the kind of value and replay-time that you get with Metro Redux.

 

As I touched upon earlier on in this review, the Metro games had slipped under many gamers radar.  With the common trend of last gen to new gen ports, developers 4A Games could have easily just spruced up the visuals at 1080p and be done with it for an easy cash-in.  Let’s be clear, this is no lazy port, yes ok it still might have some questionable A.I and dodgy accents from time to time, but 4A Games have really gone to town in improving their baby.  I can’t speak from a PC gamer’s viewpoint, but both the games in Metro Redux look every bit new gen and while some ports may be a little difficult to spot the difference, Metro Redux has no problem standing out from its ancestor.

If like me you’ve already played through this game, you may not be as enthused to playthrough the games, just yet at least.  Though fans of the franchise very well may see this as an opportunity to play a definitive version of the game they have fell in love with. But should you be new to the series and are looking for something a little different in the FPS genre, and want something with a strong, immersive story and world, then you cannot go wrong with Metro Redux.  If you’re a fan of the FPS genre and have a soft spot for challenging horror games, then I urge you to spend time in the Metro underground.  Just try not to fall into the darkness.

• I’ve updated the price for Metro Redux in the “Positives” section, as this can now often be purchased for less then £10 and not the £30 at launch.

Do you want reveal the Review Score?