Yeah, this review is pointless. I just want to be heard. If you're reading this give it a like!

Before I start this review, it should be known that the game is no longer available for purchase on Steam. Only way to get your hands on this game is to buy a key off of a key website.


Metro 2033, as the name suggests, is set in the 2033 post-apocalyptic Moscow. Based on the book of the same name. Released in 2010, this game was received extremely well by not only gamers, but also the fans of the book. It gave us a very grim and creepy adventure through the radioactive wasteland. It has some flaws, but overall is a very fun package and one that is easy to get invested in.


Artyom, a civilian of the Exhibition station, is the playable character of this game. His uncle, Hunter, comes into the station with news of the station being in danger. After a mutant attack, Hunter sets Artyom onto a journey from his home station all the way to Polis, where he can reach the Spartans and get help there to save his station. His journey there is treacherous, dangerous and ominous. On the way he meets many friends, enemies and mutants. And at the end of it all, Artyom will have to decided who is the real monster.


This game is kinda hard to describe, gameplay wise. It is an FPS, but the mechanics within the game are all over the place. The stealth against humans feels extremely jank on your first playthrough, but once you have it figured out, it's relatively easy (with the occasional bs moments). In terms of threat, for the most part, humans are the hardest enemy, mainly due to the sheer amount of damage they can dish out in a second that will end up deleting you in but a moment's notice if you're unprepared. The mutants will give you an occasional scare, but for the most part, are easy to deal with. The most baffling thing about this game is the forced FOV. It feels like it's about 45-70 FOV and is really weird to get used to initially, but with time I got used to it. There is no way to change it...

Difficulty wise, the game is pretty easy. It's just the initial learning curve that might be a bit tough, but once you get a hang of it, it's not that bad. Beat Ranger Hardcore relatively easily.

For achievement hunters: all things considered, this is a simple game to 100%. Some tips for an easier completion, all the "get x kills with y weapon" achievements, they need to be done in one run. So, achievements like "Stunning", "Sticky like Tur", "Weaponsmith" and so on, all need to be done within the same playthrough of the game. Same thing goes for "Sherlock" and "Explore". Keeping that in mind, the 100% completion should be an easy one.


The setting and atmosphere in this game is fantastic . The visuals can be chilling, the sound effects can put on edge and the isolation in some parts of the game can make you extremely paranoid. The music helps a lot too, it adds a lot of character and gives some of the levels the... the vibe . The visual story telling, all the secret paths on the levels, it is all very well done and made me fall in love with the game even more on subsequent playthroughs.

The people and monsters of Metro 2033 , are really well done. They all feel real within the setting that they exist in, be it the allies Artyom meets during his journey or the countless bandits, reds and yazis you'll encounter in the metro or the wasteland. Hearing bandits sharing campfire stories, the red and yazi propaganda, the citizens of metro mentioning their struggles and etc, it all adds to the immersion of this world and makes it so lived in. What about the horrible monstrosities in the Metro? Well, they are all horrific. Ranging from mutated moles, stray cats, stray dogs, all the way to humans who were forced to evolve to their environment. Really well designed and will give you an occasional spook.


This game surprised me in many ways, not only with the atmosphere provided, but also in the diversity of level design, in some levels allowing you to approach it completely differently. It makes me the way old games were made with fun being in front and centre of design instead of focused on all the ways possible to squeeze more money out of the player. The story is good, the world great, the vibe is masterful and most importantly remember... don't eat yellow snow!!!

8/10.

it's hard to say this definitively, because it's like my favorite genre, but amongst singleplayer first person shooters this is probably my favorite one ever.

they just nailed the atmosphere beyond belief. that, mixed with the way the scary looking mutants dart around hunting you, has very nearly given me a heart attack so many times.

everything works together to make this game feel like you've been teleported into another living world. it's dark and desolate, grimy, frightening, claustrophobic, creepy, mysterious, and exhilarating. everything i could want from this type of game. it's art. 10/10, no notes.

P.S. the redux version is great too. honestly not sure which one i would recommend more. play them both.