It’s a grim world out there in the best of times, but after a nuclear war, Metro Exodus takes any ideas of what an after-nuke planet might look like and turns them into a grim reality.

The world of Metro Exodus and its landscapes are dark. Even the hard-hitting Caspian area, which invites the warmth of the sun, still manages to exude a wonderfully harsh and grim environment. Metro’s best feature lies in how desolate everything feels. While contemporaries often flirt with the idea of an apocalypse-inspired setting, they rarely hit the mark like Metro has. Exodus’ open areas feel lived-in yet dead in a way that many games fail to achieve.

In addition to its environment, Metro’s band of characters adds to its charm. From your gritty Commander-in-Chief Miller, your partner Ana, to the intriguing cast of characters that journey with you across Russia, every character clings to the hope that somewhere out there is a civilization still living in harmony. While the main protagonist Artyom is a silent lead, Exodus does a great job of making you feel involved and invested in your team’s fate. Whether through conversations on the Aurora—the train that serves as your mobile base—or during on-field missions with your group, the game ensures there’s always a purpose behind your actions. Rarely does it feel like you’re completing a mission just for the sake of it.

A Shift in Gameplay Structure

One intriguing part of Metro Exodus is its mission structure. The first-person shooter doesn’t fully embrace an open-world approach but leaves behind most of its linear roots. Instead, it opts for an innovative sandbox design, placing players in open areas filled with both main objectives and side tasks. For example, an early mission tasks you with finding a teddy bear for a child who has taken refuge on the Aurora. Completing such tasks isn’t mandatory, but they offer small rewards like dialogue changes and an opportunity to deepen your connection with the game’s world and characters. Exploration also yields valuable resources, crucial for upgrading weapons and surviving the game’s challenging difficulty.

Interspersed with the sandbox sections are more traditional linear sequences. These moments often deliver some of the game’s most thrilling experiences, featuring intense gun battles and dramatic pacing shifts. One particularly standout section escalates the game’s speed and tension to levels reminiscent of DOOM or Wolfenstein, providing a refreshing change of pace. Just when Metro Exodus starts to feel familiar, it throws something unexpected at you, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.

Survival and Resource Management

Survival is a core theme of Metro Exodus, and with it comes a heavy emphasis on resource management. Every bullet feels precious, and scavenging is a necessity. You’ll often find yourself repairing equipment like gas masks and maintaining your weaponry to stay alive. While these mechanics add realism and tension, they can sometimes feel like a chore. The constant need to manage resources occasionally disrupts the game’s flow, pulling attention away from the narrative and action.

The game also features a crafting system that allows players to customize weapons and gear. While this adds depth and personalization, it’s not without its drawbacks. Crafting menus can feel cumbersome, particularly when navigating under pressure. Still, the ability to tailor your loadout to suit your playstyle adds a layer of strategy that’s hard to dismiss.

Visuals, Atmosphere, and Performance

Visually, Metro Exodus is stunning. Its diverse environments—ranging from snowy wastelands to sun-scorched deserts—are rendered with incredible detail. The game’s lighting and weather effects further enhance its immersive atmosphere. Few games capture the bleakness of a post-apocalyptic world as effectively as this one.

However, Metro Exodus isn’t without its technical issues. Glitches and bugs are fairly common, with instances of flickering lights, disappearing objects, and frame rate drops occasionally disrupting the experience. On the Xbox One, these issues were manageable, but reports suggest more severe problems on the PS4 version. Load times are another drawback, with initial loading screens taking up to four minutes in some cases. Once in the game, however, subsequent load times are minimal.

Storytelling and Emotional Weight

At its core, Metro Exodus is a story-driven game. The narrative explores themes of survival, hope, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. Artyom’s journey across Russia isn’t just about finding a safe haven; it’s about understanding what it means to rebuild and hold onto humanity. The game’s smaller, quieter moments—like sharing a drink with comrades or listening to a character’s backstory—add emotional depth, making the stakes feel personal.

The game also offers multiple endings, determined by your choices and actions throughout the journey. This adds replay value and encourages players to consider the moral implications of their decisions. It’s not just about surviving; it’s about how you choose to survive.

Additional Content and Replayability

For those seeking more beyond the main story, Metro Exodus includes DLCs that expand the game’s world and provide additional context to the narrative. These expansions delve deeper into the lives of secondary characters and offer new gameplay experiences. Whether you’re a completionist or someone who simply wants more time in this grim yet captivating world, the DLCs are a worthwhile addition.

The game’s attention to detail, both in its environments and storytelling, makes it a title worth revisiting. Exploring every nook and cranny often reveals hidden lore, Easter eggs, and resources that enhance the overall experience. For fans of the series, Metro Exodus serves as a fitting continuation and evolution of the franchise.

Final Thoughts

Despite its flaws, Metro Exodus stands out as a compelling and ambitious game. Its atmospheric environments, engaging story, and innovative gameplay make it a standout entry in the post-apocalyptic genre. While the survival mechanics and technical issues might deter some players, those willing to look past these drawbacks will find a game brimming with heart and creativity.

With a few patches to address its performance issues, Metro Exodus has the potential to become a modern classic. It’s a game that challenges players not just to survive, but to question what they’re surviving for. For fans of the series and newcomers alike, this is a journey worth taking.