Metro 2033

I had purchased the 360 version of Metro 2033 on release date. I went home popped it in and began playing. I instantly fell in love, why? Well let me explain my experience with this game and my prior perception.  
 
Let's start with my perception, I loved the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series of games for the PC, but I wasn't looking forward to this game. All the trailers I had viewed for the game were bland, they made the game look like a grey, less RPG'y Fallout clone. Until I saw the "Fight for Survival" trailer, also dubbed Launch Trailer on Xbox Live. The trailer blew me away, because I saw something in it that I loved, in game cinematic feel. Something that the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series had used...but not nearly as efficiently as Half-Life 2 or the Condemned Series. I was perplexed at this game actually having this, mainly because all I had read it was a Post -Apocalyptic FPS that was based on a book. So now that I was interested I decided to buy it, give it a whirl. 
 
So now for my impressions, I will start of simply...this game is the best FPS I have played in the last 3 years. Only rivaled by the Half-life 2 Episodes. Why was it that great a game...one simple word the Developers cared about the single-player more than the Multi-player. The atmosphere is amazing, the gun designs are realistic, one big issue most critics have had with the game is the power of the weapons. Yes, the power of the weapons is lacking, but why? Well, the trailer I mentioned above was named "Fight for Survival" and the tagline for the game was "Fear the Future". Now how would those two phrases be portrayed in this game if you could just blast everything away in one shot?  
 
That brings me to another point, this game does not go for the parlor trick "IT JUMPED OUT AT YOU!" scares like Doom 3 was nefarious for, this game actually breathes life into this world, on top of that it makes you want Artyom to succeed in his mission to save humankind. 
 
Now you might ask, what makes the atmosphere so amazing, here is a short list: 
 
-You are required to wear a gas mask in radiation areas, this gas mask requires attention, just like real life you must change filters in the gas mask. As well, just like in real life the gas mask is prone to getting cracks if under extreme pressure (getting hit a lot).  

- Your flashlight has a battery which fades over time with use, you must hand-crank a mini recharger, if you will, to bring it back up to full brightness.  

-The "Stations" where most people reside in the Metro is extremely busy, almost to the point where if you don't like being around people in real life you will find your self trying to get out.  
 
There are many more reasons, but I don't want to make this review into a simple list. 
The game is amazing, it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but for the thinking imaginative gamer, this game is purely and simply brilliant. I recommend it to everyone and if you find the flaws in it, it is as simple as you not being able to find the gems.