Written by: PlayDevil.com Staff

 

 

 

Metro Last Light picks up soon after the events of Metro 2033. Assuming the story’s hero, Artyom, made the 'good' choice at the conclusion of the first title, post-apocalyptic Moscow is on the mend; the air is slowly clearing, sometimes blue skies shine through, and the dark beings of the once frozen landscape are on the decline. But it is still a hostile world; where the residents of the world live below ground with inter clan warfare continuing to divide the factions.

 

Being taken through the demo it was made clear from the start that the focus of the snippet on show was to demonstrate how the team was responding to the criticisms of the first game. While the format of the game would still include the same blend of claustrophobic discovery and social commentary, the focus here was very much on stealth and combat.

 

Descending underground alterations and tweaks were quickly clear. Defensive darkness could be achieved not just by shooting out the lights, but also by unscrewing the bulbs, AI seemed less able to home in on the player and stealth seemed to have become a more realistic option as a way to move through the game.

 

As combat began soon after the improvements here also were clear, though perhaps less appropriate to the lore of the fiction. Weapons that once seemed underpowered due to the low-grade weaponry of the derelict future now appear as effective as those seen in any modern shooter. Fortunately to keep the makeshift styling of the first game new hand crafted weapons were now available.

 

The most dramatic of these additions to Artyom's arsenal was a mini-gun, which required a hand pumping to keep the bullet chain taught and the gun firing. Using this high-powered weapon also showed off the destructible environments. High calibre rounds chewed their way through the level geometry destroying cover and those behind it with satisfying ease.

 

Moving on through the level, Artyom found himself sneaking through a Nazi styled collection of troops. Quickly discovered, a quick chase plays out as he follows his partner to safety. Running through the busy tunnels of the Metro, the action is smooth as he leaps over makeshift shacks and walkways before an (literally) on-rails battle through he subway system.

 

Demoed on the PC Metro Last Light looked amazing. Shadows and light played beautifully over the textures and the whole aesthetic remained as confining and evocative as ever. Alterations being made to the stealth also seem to fit well with the experience, but as a fan of the original I find it hard to ignore the possibility that improved combat, and a heavy reliance on it, will rob Metro Last Light of the desperation that I used to feel when fighting the horrifying mutants of future Russia.