As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that Metro Awakening is a VR outing that truly captivates and immerses players into the post-apocalyptic world of Dmitry Glukhovsky’s masterpiece. The game offers an engrossing storyline and breathtaking visuals that add depth to this already rich universe, coupled with exceptional sound design that heightens the tension and keeps you on edge.
The end of the world is pretty terrible, no matter how you shake it. There isn’t a post-apocalypse story out there that you would happily trade your life for right now in a heartbeat.
However, on the grand scale of things, certain doomsday scenarios are definitely more bleak than others, and it’s fair to say that Dmitry Glukhovsky’s Metro series showcases one of the most harrowing tales of all.
From Metro 2033 to Metro Exodus, we have seen some truly horrific scenes in the underground below Moscow, but with the addition of VR, the series seems to be ramping up to offer the most involved, immersive, and affecting Metro outing yet.
“Metro: Awakening” offers a fresh narrative, an abundance of VR mechanisms to intensify the survival horror experience, and many other exciting elements.
However, one might wonder if this game truly breathes life into the Metro universe, or if it merely employs VR as a fresh twist to reignite the series following its hiatus from popular culture? Our assessment of Metro: Awakening, reviewed on the PSVR2, will shed light on this question.
We’re All Mad Down Here
With a VR game based on a well-known IP, you can generally expect several recognizable gameplay elements that veteran players can easily grasp. Yet, it’s important to note that the narrative isn’t always consistent with past experiences.
Because it has a shorter duration, is still in its early stages, and typically receives less input from the parent studio, it frequently results in a simplified story that might not be considered canonical. To give you an idea, “Horizon: Call of the Mountain” is a typical case of this phenomenon.
Despite my initial doubts, I’ve got to say, jumping into Metro Awakening feels like a breath of fresh air. This VR game nails the vibe of its predecessors, offering gamers a chance to immerse themselves in a desolate setting, navigate the thrill and peril of life beneath the earth, and just exist within this haunting post-apocalyptic universe.
In this narrative, you’ll step into the role of Dr. Serdar, a caring husband who finds himself tending to his spouse grappling with psychosis. Yet, there’s an intriguing twist: it’s hinted that her condition may have a potential to spread.
In contrast to other VR games that primarily focus on providing engaging gameplay with predictable narratives, this title strives to deliver a meaningful experience.
The personalities you encounter are intriguing, while the places you explore brim with subtle dialogues and fascinating tidbits hidden within their surroundings.
Moreover, the narrative structure builds up an engaging rhythm, with highs and lows that make it captivating. This pacing is crucial when crafting a masterful survival horror tale, as it allows for the gradual escalation and release of tension, keeping the audience in suspense throughout.
The Metro Awakening game excels at creating tense situations where the risks are palpable, the anxiety-inducing moments feel almost unbearable, and the central enigma driving the story is a compelling hook that urges players forward to discover the fate of its main characters.
The shorter runtime still limits the overall brilliance of the story, and there are some moments that the clumsy gameplay perhaps detracts from in some instances. However, from the vocal performances to the way the developers have used Glukhovsky’s source material to devise their own,
This VR story you’re referring to is among the most affluent and skillfully narrated ones that the medium has created so far.
The Devil’s In The Detail
Among all genres, virtual reality (VR) has excelled particularly in creating suspenseful and frightening atmospheres – the survival horror genre. Given the inherent capabilities of VR to provide immersive and chilling experiences, the standard for horror games within this medium is notably high, even considering its current state.
Therefore, it took quite an effort for the movie “Metro Awakening” to impress me greatly. Perhaps this is because it managed to do so intermittently, excelling in certain areas while falling short in others, leaving a mixed impression.
Speaking as a fan myself, I must say that “Metro Awakening” truly nails down the essentials of the series in its gameplay, enhancing the thrilling horror experience. In this game, you’ll be using your battery-powered flashlight to navigate dark corridors and unlock doors, which only amplifies the tension and excitement.
After a run-in with the less than friendly inhabitants of the Metro, you’ll have to administer self-medication to sustain your life, and for short excursions above ground, you’ll require gas masks and canisters for survival.
These implementations are fantastic, as they intensify the risks when navigating the dangers beneath the earth. There’s no substitute for the adrenaline rush of hastily powering up your battery pack in order to catch a glimpse of the beast that’s poised to rip you apart.
Nevertheless, while unique features specific to the Metro games hold their own, the fundamental mechanics at the core can be somewhat hit-or-miss.
From the get-go, it’s evident that the game’s tutorials encounter problems. For instance, some parts may freeze the player’s progress (soft lock), and at times, the instructions aren’t transparent about what they expect from the player. This initial frustration with the tutorials seems to set a tone for the overall gunplay experience that could use some refinement.
Instead of desperately rushing to power up your battery, you find yourself on the edge of anticipation, about to catch sight of the beast poised to rip you apart piece by piece.
Having had my fill of VR shooting games, I must admit that the firefights in Metro Awakening, though not abysmal, don’t quite reach the pinnacle of what the genre can achieve. I wish to attribute this to deliberately awkward gunplay to enhance the survival horror atmosphere, but I suspect that wasn’t the case here.
At times, using guns feels awkwardly imprecise and infuriating, especially when trying to draw it from your shoulder. You end up rummaging around behind yourself until the game recognizes that you’re aiming at the right spot. Moreover, the silent takedowns are amusingly unrealistic and inconsistent in terms of the force applied on enemies, regardless of how hard you try to execute them.
In terms of virtual reality shooting games, this one doesn’t quite measure up to many of its predecessors. But if you can look past that, the survival horror elements it offers could potentially mask any shortcomings.
What Lurks In The Shadows
In my opinion, I set a rather demanding standard for Survival Horror games, and any title that doesn’t surpass the caliber of “Dead Space” in terms of design is somewhat disheartening, but it does help me distinguish between the excellent and the less impressive offerings from each game attempting to make its mark.
Interestingly, the game “Metro Awakening” offers numerous compelling survival horror aspects; however, certain areas could use more intensity to make it truly standout.
Initially, the environment and audio effects in this production are exceptional. Throughout, you’ll notice the subtle sounds of water dripping from pipes, the ominous creaking and decay of an old station, and, inevitably, the chilling growls of monsters as they scheme your downfall.
I find that the combination of an emotionally charged soundtrack and escalating battle music perfectly complements every scene, ensuring a matching sonic backdrop for keeping my tension in check.
The method would be effective, but it requires that the game’s graphics and environment design are well-executed. Fortunately, the game Metro Awakening excels at creating a grim and confined atmosphere. You’ll find yourself exploring abandoned subway stations, crawling through air ducts, or venturing out onto contaminated surfaces, all of which contribute to this bleak environment.
The game always has a way to give you a visual representation of just how screwed you are.
Yet, it’s worth noting that while the game effectively captures the survival aspect, it tends to soften the horror elements, making them somewhat foreseeable and thereby less impactful.
In the game, you often face concern about running out of ammunition or oxygen containers for survival. Additionally, navigating through the hidden areas can feel like overwhelming challenges. Yet, when the game attempts to alleviate this tension, it seldom manages to create a genuinely frightening experience.
The game always has a way to give you a visual representation of just how screwed you are.
For instance, similar to Dead Space, this game features a common element where enemy locations are marked by holes in walls or vents that resemble claws.
This is obviously meant to represent that enemies could and likely will hop out at any time, meaning the player is never safe. Yet, this is so underutilized that you never actually take this threat seriously, and it becomes a wasted opportunity.
Moreover, the title tends to focus more on fast-paced action scenes rather than carefully crafted frightening elements. Consequently, during the instances when such fear-inducing events take place, you’ll usually find yourself well-equipped with an abundance of weaponry, ensuring that you always feel in control of the situation.
It’s clear why the balance between terror and intense action has proven challenging for “Metro Awakening,” given that the Metro series has historically struggled with striking this balance. Yet, despite some horror scenes being rather mild according to reviews, it remains a challenge.
In these nerve-wracking instances, Metro Awakening offers an impressive survival mechanics lineup and a unique atmosphere that makes it an exciting horror experience, appealing both to dedicated series followers and newcomers seeking a chilling adventure.
Closing Comments:
The virtual reality adventure, Metro Awakening, lives up to the high standards set by the Metro series. It expands upon Dmitry Glukhovsky’s masterpiece with an engaging storyline and captivating atmosphere. The visuals and audio design are outstanding, while the mechanics maintain the signature elements of the Metro franchise. This title offers a thrilling, suspenseful, and action-packed experience for VR enthusiasts.
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2024-11-05 21:09