Metro Awakening Review: Through The Eyes of the Apocalypse

Metro Awakening Review: Through The Eyes of the Apocalypse

As a seasoned gamer who has journeyed through countless virtual worlds and post-apocalyptic wastelands, I can confidently say that Metro Exodus: The Two Colonels stands out as one of the most immersive experiences I’ve had in recent memory. My heart raced, my palms sweated, and I found myself holding my breath more times than I care to admit as I navigated the treacherous tunnels beneath Moscow.


Metro Awakening has officially arrived, and it certainly looks stunning! I was fortunate enough to try out a demo of Awakening on PS VR2 at Gamescom, but the full experience I had while playing through the entire game on Meta Quest 3 was far more immersive. In fact, I’ve been deeply engrossed in this VR shooter lately, and I’m excited to share that it remains a title you shouldn’t overlook.

Read on to check out my full Metro Awakening review, captured on Meta Quest 3.

Going Underground

Metro Awakening is essentially a genuine Metro game in another phrase. It carries the same look, feel, and sound as traditional Metro games, transporting players into the gloomy underworld of Moscow’s metro system where they must battle mutants and bloodthirsty human adversaries to survive. The game offers a fresh angle on the series – quite literally – but it quickly feels right once you allow it some time to settle in.

Initially, I found it challenging to connect with Metro Awakening, and this involved experimenting with the game settings. However, once I dialed in the ideal configuration, I became completely engrossed and enjoyed every bit of Vertigo Games’ interpretation of this renowned post-apocalyptic franchise.

In Metro Awakening, Dmitry Glukhovsky, the original creator of the franchise, has crafted an entirely fresh narrative – one of the standout aspects of this intense virtual reality shooter. The plot took unexpected turns that held my attention throughout, much like experiencing a high-quality traditional game in the series, such as Metro Exodus.

While delving into this tale, you’ll find yourself immersed in an exclusive soundtrack crafted by Anne-Kathrin Dern. Time and again, the soundtrack combined with the atmospheric sounds would give me an eerie feeling that left me shuddering.

Oh boy, if you’ve ever immersed yourself in the Metro series, you’d know it can send shivers down your spine! Picture this: I’m creeping through a vent swarming with spiders, only my lighter to light my way. Just when I think it’s safe, a ‘Lurker’ lunges from around the corner, leaping and clawing at me. Now, imagine that heart-pounding experience, amplified by a VR headset!

Excellent Expansion

Metro Awakening Review: Through The Eyes of the Apocalypse

In the role as an enthusiastic fan, I’d say: “Metro Awakening is a captivating prequel that unfolds the journey of a humble doctor named Serdar, who transforms into the powerful entity known as Khan within the Metro universe. Unlike the first Metro game which takes us through events in 2033, this game is set four years earlier, in the year 2028.

That’s where the name ‘Awakening’ comes from, see?

In a possible prequel, set prior to the first game, it’s astonishingly consistent how reminiscent Awakening feels compared to the subsequent larger titles. From the vocal performances to the weapons, and from the post-apocalyptic setting to the creatures haunting Moscow’s subways, everything seems immediately familiar as if plucked straight from a Metro series game.

Players will find themselves captivated by the richness and intricacy of this game as they delve into its various aspects such as weapons, gear, props, and more. I spent an extensive amount of time examining the rifles and pistols available for pick-up, scoured every nook searching for hidden collectibles, and even restarted from checkpoints repeatedly to experiment with different strategies while navigating through each scene.

In this game, since Serdar isn’t a seasoned warrior, it primarily emphasizes stealth. However, I unexpectedly engaged in intense battles. Even at the lowest difficulty level, there’s an enjoyable amount of challenge. Playing on the highest difficulty setting is more like intentionally seeking pain.

In a short while, you’ll be equipped with a variety of weapons and strategies, similar to other games in the series, Awakening offers a fair degree of freedom. Often, I found myself exploring possibilities such as attempting something specific, rather than being guided step by step. Fortunately, it doesn’t spoon-feed you.

Verdict: Buy

This game isn’t without faults. I’ll sum those up before I cap off my Metro Awakening review.

  • I had to reload checkpoint a few times because of a bug where I was either too high off the ground or too close to the floor.
  • I also had to reload the game because on three or four occasions, I stepped outside my boundary and the game locked me out of the playable area.
  • I lost a fair bit of ammunition by taking a magazine out of my weapon and setting it down on a surface that promptly swallowed it.

Besides me, I was compelled to navigate the game by moving continuously rather than teleporting. This was necessary since I’d frequently end up teleporting into surfaces that would cause my headset to malfunction. Fortunately, it turned out well in the end; continuous movement proved to be more effective.

Ultimately, Metro Awakening is worth every penny. It’s the most immersive post-apocalyptic experience I’ve had the pleasure of playing, and every step I took through the tunnels beneath Moscow had me feeling on edge and wary of my next move. I lost myself in the heart-pounding pressure of gunfights, and stealth sequences made my mouth run dry.

You’ve reached a point where the world seems almost apocalyptic, but don’t worry, it’s just part of the game! Spending around 8-10 hours playing and thoroughly exploring this game is an investment that won’t disappoint.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam.

Metro Awakening Review: Through The Eyes of the Apocalypse

Life is Strange: Double Exposure Review | Return of the Max

Metro Awakening Review: Through The Eyes of the Apocalypse

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Review: A New Era for Efficiency, But Is It Right for You?

Metro Awakening Review: Through The Eyes of the Apocalypse

Blade & Sorcery Nomad Review: The Full Release Is Finally Here and It Feels Incredible

Metro Awakening Review: Through The Eyes of the Apocalypse

Black Ops 6 Review: The Best We’ve Had in Years

Read More

2024-11-05 21:18