Metro: Last Light

I relatively enjoyed my time with Last Light. Previously, I played Exodus and disliked it, but I hated 2033 Redux (too slow). Metro is narrative-driven, so they should stick to Last Light-type of world building. So, for Metro games, I rank it: LL > Exodus > 2033 Redux.

a step down in almost every way for me from 2033. it feels consolized. dumbed down and easier, many of the interesting mechanics have vanished and instead you get QTEs and the like...it's still a decent game, but the setting isn't as good, nor is the level design or combat. it's worth a play though

6/10

I liked Metro 2033, although when I was starting playing Last Light I didn't remember much, besides the fact that I rather enjoyed this game. But after playing the sequel I started to remember some things.

Anyway, Last Light is in many departments, better than its predecessor, but for me playing it wasn't as satisfying as I expected. The story is rather unimpressive, of course the creators were restricted by a source material, maybe it was impossible to do better (I didn't read the books). Also I remember that in Metro 2033 sometimes you felt horror vibe, there is nothing like that in this game. To be honest I felt more connected to characters in the previous game, luckily main protagonist is the same, so there is at least some continuity. Gameplay is pretty standard for FPS, but it's worth mentioning that you could take stealthy approach and rarely kill enemies or you can just shoot everybody and everything that's standing in your way (although it'd later have consequences) you can also take a middle ground. approach.

What's really cool in this game is how its treating player choices. It's a linear game, so there don't have impact on the story besides ending. It's a controversial topic, but I have to underline that not all of them are moral choices (although the most important are), there are more about convincing little dark one that Artyom deserve to be forgiven. This is definitely the strongest part of the game.

Besides that it is ok, but nothing more.

Last Light improves on 2033, offering more story, stronger level design, and a wider variety of enemies. I can't say much bad, it is a decent enough shooter that gives you the option to stealth or kill everything and the design is pretty solid, Yeah there are some narrative driven levels that sort of drag and play themselves, but the game has a better atmosphere than 2033 I thought. Plus its hilarious that you can pay for stripper to actually give you a full topless dance experience in this.

Last Light lacks the solidly defined end-goal of 2033, leading to a far worse narrative with murky motivations on your part, and the slightly greater reliance on stealth greater demonstrates the shortcomings of the AI, alongside a few ham-fisted rail sections. Otherwise, it is more Metro, and still a pretty good time.

Metro Last light is the sequel for Metro 2033, both post apocalyptic games set on the subway since the surface is radiated to the point of being unlivable. And also its filled with huge monsters that were caused by nuclear radiation. The series is very similar in terms of setting to Fallout, but its tone is completly different. Metro is dead serious, its bleak and thats really the only its horror elements would work. Where as i found 2033 to be just good, i found Last Light to be a brilliant game, and one of the best single player campaigns out there.

One of the reasons for that, and perhaps the strongest one, is the sense of atmosphere of the subway. Its dark, and the noises monsters may or not do in the dark are more than enough to fill me with dread. It helps that the game is a technical beauty. It really is, there is a huge amount of detail to everything, from scratches and water getting in your mask, that you must wipe out, to the grime ugly detail of the subway, to the tape that seems to be barely holding your weapons together. The gaps your character does while above surface is also great at creating tension, both urging you to search for more oxygen or get on with your mission. Amazing atmosphere in this one.

The level design in this game is semi linear. There is very obviously a linear way through, but levels are filled with ramifications and hidden stashes that can be proven invaluable for your survival. Bullets are expensive, and weapon upgrades even more, so its a good idea to search around the levels for such goodies. There are also some exposition documents to give you more information about your world.

The story is expanded from the first game and i loved the direction it took. You try to protect one of the aliens a great majority of the game, and there is quite a bit of grey morality on display. The supernatural properties of the aliens also give rise to a couple of more psychedelic moments which are some of my favourite moments in games. People often complain about the voice acting in this game, but i found it good.

The gameplay is a mix between shooting and explorations, with the levels designed very much around moving from A to B. The shooting is fine, particularly after your upgrade your weapon to your liking, but its definitly not the strongest thing about the game. Its solid, but nothing more. There is also a basic stealth system in the game, but i found that its way to easy to throw knives to guards and clear a level like that. I found it much more enjoyable to go into levels guns blazing, but then again i didnt play the game on the highest difficulty.

I really want to see more games from this universe, but whether that happens or not, Last Light is a brilliant game when it comes to its atmosphere.