Metro 2033 review
I just played Metro 2033 for an hour or so (PC Version), and here are some of my thoughts
Graphics:
The graphics are excellent. They are easily some of the best graphics currently on the market. Textures are very high resolution and very well done, particle effects like smoke are virtually realistic, lighting effects are great and everything else is excellent.
Level Design:
The little bit of the architecture I have seen so far has been excellent. The tunnels you are in are very well done, complete with rats and such running around the ground, wires, etc. The little town area you start at is also very well done, with lots of detail.
Models:
Character Models are fairly well done from what I have seen so far, with great detail, however the animations have that usual stiff look that is normal for most games.
User Interface/Controls/Look and Feel:
The games UI is fine. The menu and option selection covers everything you need and is layed out in non-retarded format.
The game also uses the minimal-HUD that is becoming standard for FPS's, which means there is usually nothing on screen (no health, ammo, etc) when you are playing until you actually start to use a weapon or item, or switch to something. You can view your Mission Info to get all of this information as well. This helps with immersiveness obviously, at the cost of a bit of info on your current stats and such.
Controls are your typical FPS controls, but some of the items have Dual Use controls. For example, your Flashlight Key will also bring up a Battery Charger if you hold it down, which allows you to charge your flash light. To select a different ammo type, you would hold the reload button down for a few extra seconds.
One thing I am not impressed with is the different ammo types. They don't say what they are, the bullets just look different (you can see them when looking at your gun), which is a bit confusing. This may resolve itself as I play later, but at the start, you get a Machine gun with two different ammo types and you are scratching your head over what is what, and there is no info screen that tells you. You know they are different, but have no idea HOW they are different. Is one Armor Piercing? I dont know.
The Mission Objectives screen is actually a book you hold up and read. It is a bit hard to read and I don't care for it much, but it helps with the immersiveness.
Overall, it seems they have done for a feel to the game that totally gets rid of menu's and it seems to mostly succeed, but it leaves a bit of info out, but I have yet to read the manual.
Mouse Controls:
The game's control feel is spot on perfect, so if you like Call of Duty, Quake, Doom, BioShock, Battlefield, Crysis, Jedi Knight, etc, etc, the controls wont feel stupid or off or anything. One thing I don't like is that the mouse sensitivity is a bit too fast on default, but that can be adjusted.
I only mention this in a separate area because some idiot developers seem to release FPS's that are totally retarded when it comes to how the game handles with the mouse.
Story and Story Presentation:
There are a lot of cut scenes and scripted elements just in the first 30 minutes alone, and the story is told via these cut scenes, scripted scenes and in-game character chatting.
All cut-scenes are skipable too if you wish, via the USE key.
The voice acting could have been ripped straight from STALKER.
Does the story get me? So far it seems to be interesting, so I am looking forward to exploring the world and seeing wtf is going on here.
Extra's:
-You have to charge your Flash Light via this pump like battery charger. Yes, this means you have to worry about Flashlight battery power.
-There is a Gas Mask you get and have to wear in certain areas. Yes, this means you have to worry about how much air time you got.
-There are different Ammo types in the game.
-Night Vision goggles exist.
-There is a Currency and Weapon/Ammo upgrades you can buy, plus some other items.
-Health Packs are in the game.
Performance:
My system is a E8400 OC'ed to 3.5Ghz, GTX285, 8GB Ram, Windows 7 64 and I am playing this on my Raptor 150gb. The very high settings are playable for me, until I get into combat and the frame rate drops. Lowering them to HIGH is playable and still looks amazing (AAA AS, 4xAS), but I may tweak it a bit more, but we will see.
So, overall, the game seems pretty well optimized to me so far.
Problems:
-The game booted up to a Black Screen for me. Turning off my second Monitor via nvidia Control panel fixed the game for me.
Overall:
I am very impressed with the game so far. It starts out right and considering I know virtually nothing about this game, having put myself on black out I am eager to get moving further in to see what the game will offer. Being a fan of STALKER, I have noticed several similarities that remind me of STALKER too.
4.5/5
