METRO EXODUS Review for Xbox One

Pack your bags, we’re leaving the metro! But we’re not going to your babushka’s dacha – we have an invitation to the world beyond Moscow. I’ve personally been excited for this title, and the wait has paid off. If you love the series, I promise you will enjoy this installment. It builds on everything that made Last Light great, like the firefights, the world-building, and the characters. If you haven’t played the earlier installments, then that’s okay, too. This is a different kind of story that only loosely refers back to the original games.

I’ve always enjoyed the storyline of Metro (2033 and Last Light), and I can confidently say that I also liked the direction of the series here in Exodus. I would almost nitpick, saying that this is more of an expedition than an exodus, but that’s not entirely the case. This is Artyom’s exodus in a sense, which ties in nicely with the opening and the first half hour of gameplay. I thought it was interesting to see how Artyom, who at this point is a well-regarded hero, is castigated for looking for people beyond Moscow. He forlornly dials his radio facing the ruins of the city, just looking for hope, until it nearly costs him his life. I was a little underwhelmed by the way that the rest of the world was revealed to still be intact; nonetheless, we venture from the claustrophobic catacombs of the Moscow Metro to wide and open spaces. It might feel a little jarring at first, but exploration is encouraged and rewarded.

While braving the new world, you will need to collect items in order to craft ammunition and better components/attachments. The crafting system is so fluid and easy to use. There’s just something pleasing to the eye when you make the adjustments you want, sort of like being the gunsmith you never were in Fallout. The gun shakes a little on the rack holding it in place, and you see everything. Your backpack is utilized more than ever before.

The character and world design are also worth appreciating. Last Light is still a great looking game, but this title is beautiful (in a sort of gritty post-apocalypse open-world way). Like I had mentioned, the firefights are still awesome, and it’s thrilling to use the environment to your advantage, knowing fully well that bandits and monsters can do the same thing to me in turn. There is even a day/night cycle! Remember when we were just clamoring to see the sky?

The cast of characters is also praise-worthy. In addition to their models looking great, they’re memorable too. You can really get a sense of purpose, personality, comradery, drama, you name it. You have plenty of opportunity to listen to their conversations on the Aurora, the mobile HQ and badass train. While Exodus does not put everyone in the spotlight, you grow attached to your team. I would say though, Anna probably has the most growth compared to anyone else in the series. Miller does too, but he’s mostly your big, scary, Russian in-law, and he plays that role to the letter. As scary as he might be, you don’t really come across a main antagonist – and frankly, why would you? It’s an adventure into the unknown and an interaction with the factions (and wildlife) who’ve settled these regions.

While I love this game, I’m not blind to its faults, no matter how small. There are bugs, like ragdolls gone wild or monsters on invisible treadmills. But then they’re brought back into my world, and they proceed to attack me, via a hiccup. I thought objects loaded at a very good rate, but would sometimes looks blocky (might be my settings). And it’s kind of funny, now that the world is so big, I’m complaining about how long it takes for me to get around! I miss my rat routine in the underground, but I still scavenge debris as if I never left.

I think a fair rating for Metro Exodus is a 9 out of 10, measuring this title at its own merits. I still feel like I’m in the Metro world, where I might wander around the corner and encounter a foe I was not ready to face. I haven’t had to prep for situations like this since the Witcher games. I really like the survivor horror aspect, but it does feel more like an adventure. Perhaps one that is not as linear as its predecessors. Overall, I am hopeful that you will also enjoy this game. Dasvidaniya! Until next time!

Check Out the Metro Exodus Trailer:

John Pruitt

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I like to think of myself as the average Joe who grew up alongside video games. I have fun playing strategy games, RPGs, shooters, sandboxes, the whole shebang! Every game provides an experience whether it strikes you as profound, mundane, or someplace in between. I'd like to weigh in my two cents before you spend a single penny.

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