Metro 2033

I'm a long time fan of the post-apocalyptic genre and I've always gravitated towards games like Half-Life 2, Fallout, and the Stalker series. Metro 2033 is a new take on the genre in that it takes a story written by Dmitry Glukhovsky and turns it into something players can experience from a first person perspective. 4A games has done a great job of creating the world described so vividly in the book and applies the basic post-apocalyptic elements, but it seems to fall short in some areas.
 
Upon my first look at the game, it looks really great.  There are plenty of high-end light effects and high resolution textures. The engine seems solid enough although there are the occasional framerate issues. The atmosphere is rich with authenticity but sometimes the darkness can be a little harsh. The combat is a bit sterile and the weapons feel a tad lackluster and at times really underpowered and almost toy-ish. There are a few cool elements that tie into the realism( i.e. manually equipping your gas mask and having to charge your headlamp) and I can appreciate that, but at the end of the day there are more important things with shooters... like shooting and finding adequate cover. There are also many sequences where the critter swarms are a bit too overwhelming.
 
Overall, the game is good but cannot be compared to other leading titles like Fallout 3 or STALKER. The main campaign is only around 10 hours, and features plenty of thrilling moments, but it's a short ride with limited replay value. The game is very linear compared to other games in the genre and doesn't really draw you in as much. It's fun to explore the dark corridors in 2033, but be weary of the slightly generic gaming that lies ahead.