Game Review: Metro Exodus (Xbox One X)

Metro Exodus is a first-person shooter video game developed by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver. It is the third installment in the Metro video game series based on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novels. Exodus follows the events of Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light.

Similar to the previous two entries, the player assumes the role of Artyom, who flees the Moscow Metro and sets off on a continent-spanning journey with his allies to the Far East, on a locomotive called the “Aurora”.

After the attack on D6, Artyom becomes disillusioned with the constant infighting and corruption within the Metro and leaves the Spartan Order. He soon becomes obsessed with proving that other human survivors exist outside of Moscow and makes numerous dangerous expeditions to the surface, much to Anna’s concern and Miller’s frustration. However, on one such expedition with Anna, they witness a working train running on the surface. Before they can follow it, they are captured by Hansa soldiers along with a couple of people who claim to be from outside of Moscow. The Hansa soldiers execute the other prisoners and Artyom is shot and left for dead.

Surviving the gunshot, Artyom follows the soldiers to their base to rescue Anna. In the process he inadvertently destroys a signal jammer that was blocking all communications going in and out of Moscow. Radio transmissions from all over the world begin to be picked up, and Artyom and Anna realize humanity has not gone extinct. They escape by stealing one of Hansa’s trains with the aid of a defected Hansa train engineer called Yermak.

Knowing that they will be executed if they ever return, Artyom and the crew embark on a dangerous journey to discover civilisation and a new place to call home.

If you enjoyed the previous Metro games then I see no reason as to why you wouldn’t like Exodus. Some may struggle being forced out of the comforting confines of the Metro, much like how the characters feel. The desolate, often creepy radioactive world isn’t welcoming to those who dare to venture there. Metro Exodus wonderfully displays the dangers and strange, terrifying beauty that such a world would exhibit. In fact, I’d go as far as to call Exodus one of if not the best looking video games ever made. The level of detail in every aspect of the game is testament to the hard work that has gone into crating Exodus.

Rather than taking you to one location, Metro Exodus has you visit many. Each have a clear contrast to the last. I really like the ways in which the game showed the dangers and difficulties the characters and people would face in every new scenario. No matter where you go, something or somebody wants to kill you. This is a hostile world, one mistake and you’re dead. You’ll long for the safety net of the Metro, much like the characters.

The story is good and helped greatly by some quality voice acting. You’re given a decent variety of weaponry that gives you the freedom to tackle each encounter in whatever way you wish. Every gun is customizable with a number of attachments. There is a robust feel to them and each will pack a real punch in the right circumstances. Sneak in entirely unseen or go in guns blazing, it’s your call. Personally, I feel stealth is the most rewarding way to play Metro but that’s me. If you want the good ending you’ll have to avoid being too blood thirsty though.

Even on lower difficulties there is a nice challenge to Exodus. This isn’t the type of game where you can soak up damage. Getting shot is a quick way to die. Also, a special mention for your backpack that serves as a mobile crafting station. I’m glad to see the back of the previous system in which military grade ammo would serve as currency. Ammo can be crafted at any given time.

I know it’s a staple of the franchise but I found Artyom’s lack of dialogue much more jarring this time around. Considering the weight of some of the scenarios, his silence is frustrating. Interestingly, the biggest negative of Metro Exodus is the technical problems within the game. Firstly, the load times are excruciatingly bad. Loading a saved game from the main menu can take well over a minute, it just isn’t good enough. Secondly, other than general bugs I experienced several crashes throughout my two playthroughs. The enemy AI can best be described as inconsistent. At times they won’t see you in plain sight and then others will spot your big toe from behind an obstacle. Admittedly, they are much smarter in their approach during encounters though.

While the dialogue is performed well, there is a little too much of it. Characters waffle on and on for what feels like 20 minutes. It’s mostly optional but it feels like they are intentionally speaking slowly just to drag it out. I liked the story but it lacks a major villain. There isn’t any kind of final showdown to speak of it so it all ends on a bit of a whimper rather than something epic.

Finally, a special mention for the boats in the game. Yeah, driving those just isn’t any fun.