Metal Eden Review

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In simpler terms, “Metal Eden” could be described as a blend of high-octane shooting action akin to “Doom,” dynamic movement like in “Titanfall 2,” engaging storytelling similar to “BioShock,” and a touch of exploration reminiscent of “Metroid Prime.” This first-person shooter (FPS) game immerses players in the role of Aska, an android sent on a dangerous mission to save humanity’s digital remnants trapped within Moebius City. The game is visually stunning, filled with intense action, and requires quick reflexes from players as they strive to rescue the digitized human consciousness.

Metal Eden appears visually appealing and promises an exciting experience with its dynamic visuals, constant action, and intense electronic soundtrack that syncs perfectly with its atmosphere. Generally speaking, it delivers on this promise, but it also has certain shortcomings that are hard to overlook. Some of these issues might depend on personal preference or playing style, while others are more universally apparent. While some players may feel unsatisfied and desire a richer gaming experience, others will discover the depth they seek within the game itself. Essentially, Metal Eden is clear about its identity, and that’s what makes it stand out in the end.

Metal Eden’s Gameplay Is Fast, Gritty, and Surprisingly Challenging

In Metal Eden, it swiftly becomes apparent that combat is the main attraction, earning comparisons to high-octane games like Doom. Known for its rapid tempo and powerful impacts, even when played on Normal mode, Metal Eden demands a quick response time from players more so than many other first-person shooters. Above all, it urges players to utilize every weapon and resource they possess, as failure to do so could lead to encounters with previously unseen enemy types. To top it off, if you ever pause in Metal Eden, you’re likely to meet your match.

In essence, the gameplay cycle in Metal Eden is consistently repetitive yet engaging: players engage in battles to reach a confined arena, where they confront successive waves of adversaries, traverse ziplines to the next stage, and then repeat the process. Interestingly, there are only two genuine boss fights in Metal Eden’s campaign; most encounters are significant battles themselves. To elaborate further, every combat interaction demands intense focus and quick reactions, which suggests that additional boss fights might not be necessary. The game’s enemy variety and Aska’s versatile weaponry contribute significantly to this experience.

Weapons, Upgrades, and the Core-Ripping Hook

Nearly halfway through the game, all weapons in Metal Eden will be obtained by players, a significant achievement for the game. Typically, receiving the best or final weapon in a game at the end of its campaign can feel somewhat anticlimactic because there’s little opportunity to enjoy it. However, Metal Eden allows players to utilize Aska’s seven weapons arsenal early on, enabling them to experience the upgrades’ benefits before the game concludes.

Throughout their journey, players will gather Metal Eden’s main currency, Dust, in several ways: by vanquishing foes and discovering it within vials. Players can earn extra Dust by showcasing creativity in combat, such as wielding various weapons, achieving multiple kills, and exploiting the game’s Core-Ripping system. Each weapon, except for Aska’s standard automatic pistol, comes with two upgrade paths that become accessible upon spending a specified amount of Dust, but only after slaying a predetermined number of enemies with that specific weapon. While Aska’s standard automatic pistol boasts infinite ammunition, it overheats instead; every other weapon necessitates the use of bullets.

Generally speaking, enhancing a weapon in Metal Eden grants it a secondary feature, such as equipping a sniper’s aim-down-sights (ADS) attachment to an SMG or modifying a grenade launcher’s grenades to be both homing and sticky. This is particularly noteworthy because Aska’s somewhat limited selection of weapons already sets them apart from each other, and the upgrades make them even more unique. Ultimately, this diversity in combat options is a key factor that strengthens Metal Eden’s overall gameplay.

In Metal Eden, victory in combat is largely dependent on the game’s requirements rather than player preference. Unlike many first-person shooters that nudge players towards a strategy and stick with it, Metal Eden insists on frequent weapon changes. This dynamic gameplay revolves around swapping weapons because while Aska’s standard auto pistol efficiently handles regular enemies, it falters against the game’s tougher, armored adversaries. Although there are numerous potent weapons capable of defeating these formidable foes, their limited ammo and diverse functions prevent players from getting too complacent.

The diversity in combat encounters within Metal Eden makes each battle exciting, as this variety is crucial given the game’s wide range of enemy types. For example, the game’s most formidable foes have armor that can be gradually weakened with kinetic weapons but are best defeated by energy weapons. Once an enemy’s armor is breached, players are prompted to switch to a kinetic weapon to inflict greater damage on the enemy than what energy weapons can achieve. This mechanism bears resemblance to Destiny 2’s gunplay, although it tends to be more challenging.

Moreover, the various adversaries in Metal Eden showcase distinct skills, necessitating players to stay alert at all times and learn a variety of unusual attack patterns they’ll encounter during the campaign. This situation unintentionally offers players a chance to be innovative in their strategies for each encounter, which is further facilitated by Aska’s weapons and abilities being so distinctive. It’s quite enjoyable linking together diverse combos to handle enemy swarms, such as freezing a group with a grenade, then shattering their shields and sending a shockwave through them before using your grenade launcher to disintegrate them.

In “Metal Eden”, one feature I absolutely love is the Core-Ripping system, a crucial element introduced early in gameplay. These Cores act as the vitality of every opponent, and when they’re extracted, the enemy vanishes. Aska’s ability allows me to rip out an unarmored foe’s Core, which I can either hurl for damage or consume to restore my health and supercharge Aska’s next punch, transforming it into a powerful Super Punch that can pierce through even the toughest armor.

The gratifying aspect of Aska’s Core-Ripping ability lies in its smooth integration with the game’s combat system. It serves a dual purpose, acting both as a damage dealer against unarmored enemies and a lifesaver for Aska by providing healing when the Core is consumed – a crucial feature given the challenging nature of Metal Eden. Moreover, this ability can be enhanced through two out of three skill trees, indicating its significant impact on gameplay. Upgrades can reduce its cooldown or bestow AoE armor-damaging capabilities, making it one of Metal Eden’s most beneficial abilities.

Variety, Missed Potential, and Replay Value

In her regular Android Form, Aska usually appears, but she can also take on a Ball Form that resembles Samus Aran’s Morph Ball from the Metroid series. When in Ball Form, players can unleash lightning attacks on enemies and missiles, but this form is particularly useful for navigating dangerous terrain and boosting movement speed. However, the downside is that Ball Form can only be employed under specific conditions, which wasn’t always possible. I found it disappointing because this form adds an enjoyable dynamic to gameplay, and it would have been great if it could be used more frequently.

As a devoted admirer of Metal Eden, I must admit that while the game primarily focuses on intense combat, it offers moments of respite as well. You see, there are instances where one can stray from the main path to uncover hidden nooks filled with Dust, One Ups, and even Upgrade Points. Some of these secret spots are shrouded in puzzles, introducing a delightful layer of problem-solving that’s a welcome change from the usual baddie blasting. The challenge is, these tranquil moments are scarce, often separated by long stretches of gameplay. Regrettably, Metal Eden‘s levels are predominantly structured to keep players on a straight path, and at times, this includes walls that are invisible to the eye, which can be frustrating as it’s difficult to distinguish whether a platform is accessible or not, leading to unwanted falls and loss of health and armor.

As a gamer, let me tell you, while Metal Eden offers some stellar gameplay, its major flaw lies in its brevity. I managed to wrap up the campaign in barely 6 hours, and mind you, I had snagged most of the weapon enhancements and even bagged a few achievements. Unfortunately, there’s no New Game Plus or any additional content that makes you yearn for more.

Diverse opinions about the game’s length are expected since some people might regret that it’s relatively brief, while others view replaying it on a harder difficulty as an engaging challenge. The price of Metal Eden comes into play here too, as for certain players, a 6-hour game may not be worth more than $20. However, others might consider spending $40 on the game to be a good investment.

Instead of focusing more on its narrative than gameplay, Metal Eden unfortunately prioritizes gameplay. While a short game focused on storytelling can be likened to a movie experience, but interactive, the storyline of Metal Eden is one of its less impressive aspects. A longer gameplay duration might have bolstered its overall impact.

Metal Eden’s Story Is Weak, Its Presentation and Performance Strong

As a fervent admirer, I must say that while Metal Eden’s tale was present throughout, by the close of the campaign, it felt like it existed merely to fulfill its destiny. Despite echoing a rhythm reminiscent of BioShock, the narrative unfortunately proved quite predictable. However, its conclusion may yet astonish players, as it deviates from the expected resolution.

In Metal Eden, much like in BioShock, Aska’s story unfolds primarily through interactions with various characters during missions. These characters are seldom physically met by her, with most conversations taking place over the comms system instead. Despite this unconventional setup, the narrative is generally clear, though there may be instances where the complex sci-fi setting leads to some perplexing aspects in the game’s lore.

The visually stunning game, Metal Eden, boasts vibrant colors, crisp graphics, and engaging visual effects that really stand out, particularly in its varied settings. Its audio design and soundtrack are equally impressive, providing a strong backing for its combat. For an even more immersive experience, playing with bass-heavy headphones is highly recommended. Moreover, the voice acting in this game is top-notch, with every character voiced by talented actors. While the story’s execution might not be perfect, the delivery ensures it remains engaging.

Additionally, its excellent performance on PC is supported by my personal experience, which included a consistently smooth gameplay, zero crashes, and only a handful of minor glitches.

Metal Eden Review: Final Thoughts

Metal Eden excels in numerous aspects, yet some significant flaws hinder the longevity of its strengths. On one hand, its exceptional combat and visual style are undeniably impressive, however, the absence of a deep, engaging narrative keeps it from reaching the pinnacle of perfection. Additionally, this is exacerbated by its brief duration, as its primary focus on delivering top-notch gameplay conflicts with its 6-hour playtime and limited post-game material.

Indeed, “Metal Eden” comes highly recommended for fans who appreciate demanding, swift-moving, sci-fi action that echoes games like “Doom“. However, its value should correspond with its length before considering a purchase. If not, it might be wise to hold off until it’s on sale. Regardless, it’s a game worth experiencing once the price aligns with its quality.

The game titled “Metal Eden” is currently available for play on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. For this review, Game Rant received a PC access code.

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2025-09-02 18:12