The Metro franchise is by no means niche, though it hasn't had quite the same impact that other post-apocalyptic games have had. Based on a series of novels by Dmitry Glukhovsky, the Metro franchise blends horror, FPS, and survival with a grace that few games can ever dream of achieving. Metro Exodus, the most recent entry in the franchise, was released a few years ago, but it's still a shining example of just how far games can go with one simple thing: atmosphere.
There's no single element of Metro Exodus that is solely responsible for how successfully it sets up its atmosphere. Rather, it's the combination of minor elements that create a compelling mosaic for each area that Metro Exodus offers. It's not that the tunnels of Moscow are just dark and dingy, it's that they're dark, dingy, well laid-out, have sharp audio design, and plenty of other, smaller things like that.
How Metro Exodus Sets a Scene
The Metro series isn't necessarily unique in its depictions of a post-apocalyptic world. Its dilapidated cityscapes, congested tunnels, and mutated enemies can be found in countless other games that depict the results of nuclear war. But other games still, somehow, fail to capture exactly what Metro Exodus does.
One of the most immediately grabbing sections of Metro Exodus happens straight away. Players are put into the shoes of protagonist Artyom as he descends back into the tunnels he calls home, having failed once again to find a radio signal pointing towards a better life on the surface. The Geiger counter ticks away steadily and aggressively until he seals himself in the relative safety of the metro tunnels. And then Metro Exodus signals to players exactly what's in store for the rest of the experience.
The opening tunnel is tight and dense, peppered with enemies and environmental storytelling. While it's easy to just march through it without exploring the nooks and crannies, those that stop to smell the nuclear roses will uncover a story about the group of survivors that died there, extra supplies, and some generally cool sights.
All of those elements are compelling from a gameplay perspective – it trains the player to explore early on – but it's the way that Metro Exodus approaches the tunnel from an art direction standpoint that makes it seem special. Smoke and debris waft through the air, obfuscating the player's view. Creaks and other sounds add to the tension, making it feel like an enemy could pop out at any moment, right up until the "Watchmen" pop out of the walls and start attacking the player. The player's flashlight flickers on and off as they move through the space, adding to the tension.
Together, those details make the tunnel feel like a real, post-apocalyptic metro tunnel, even though few people have a realistic idea of what the inside of a metro tunnel is really like, never mind a post-apocalyptic one. But it's that believability that makes Metro Exodus so special and worth coming back to even a few years removed from its launch.
How Metro Exodus Keeps Its World Interesting
The real beauty of Metro Exodus isn't just how it creates an atmosphere in its closed-off sections, though. There's diversity in its maps thanks to how Metro Exodus handles level design, dropping players into open levels that players are free to wander as they choose to. These locations are starkly different from each other too, which keeps Metro Exodus feeling fresh as the hours press on.
One of the best examples of that diversity is how Metro Exodus' Taiga map works versus the introduction in the metro system. Taiga is a relatively lush map with plenty of trees and foliage, created in such a way that it still feels post-apocalyptic, but also shows the player that they're getting closer to finding a place untouched by the horrors of nuclear war – Artyom's ultimate goal in Metro Exodus.
But again, it isn't just the big level design elements that Taiga gets right. It's yet another instance where Metro Exodus successfully sells its world through its atmosphere, as players try to navigate the challenges that Taiga presents, specifically a giant mutated bear. It's tense but it's refreshing, a stark departure from the scenery that players have seen in the rest of the game up until that point.
Why Metro Exodus is Worth Coming Back to in 2022
Incredible games aren't in short supply these days, and there are plenty of new and upcoming triple-a games worth checking out right now. For some, it doesn't make sense to return to Metro Exodus in 2022 when there are bigger games on the horizon. But for those that have played through Metro Exodus once already, never picked it up in the first place, or have never dabbled in the franchise whatsoever, the atmosphere alone is enough of a reason to pick it up.
The next game on the horizon to scratch the post-apocalyptic itch is Stalker 2, but Stalker 2 was delayed to the end of 2022. Those that were looking to play it will now need something else to fill the void, which Metro Exodus is uniquely positioned to do. It will likely feel fresh to those that played it at launch, and it can usually be found at a reasonable price that never bought it in the first place.
More games should take notes from Metro Exodus and its open-world designs. The way it combines minor elements into something grander is uniquely special, and it looks absolutely incredible with ray tracing turned on for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
Metro Exodus is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.