nothing run of the mill about it
Gameplay: 4/5 the game perfects the idea of a "real-time" inventory system, unlike many FPS's when you are outside of a safe zone (metro stations in the game), you are in a constant state of danger there is no menu to pause the game and recheck your objective or to take and overview of your weapons. Everything is done in the open so even the simple idea of looking at your compass to see where you are going or reading your journal to remember what you have to do next means you are putting your weapon down and putting out an open invitation for attack. These elements add to the suspense and tension making the game very immersive and very scary! The AI in the game is superb giving a great amount of believability and difficulty, having your flashlight on draws the attention of enemies but leaving it off will allow an enemy to sneak up on you as many times as you sneak up on them.
The only detraction I can think of to the gameplay would be that Metro 2033 was advertised as a RPG and there are very few if any RPG elements in the game; however, this is quickly forgiven and forgotten once you play the first few chapters.
Story: 5/5 I have only been able to read Dmitry Glukhovsky's Metro 2033 in German as an English translation has not been released anywhere in North America and last time I checked it had not been released in Europe either. I am in not way fluent in German so while i enjoyed the book I can not be completely sure I understood the entire story and all the character development. That being said the narrative of the game is amazing the story and mystery in the game are executed perfectly and kept me interested the entire play-through.
Graphics: 4/5 the visuals are stunning especially when traveling through the surface of Moscow (or whats left of it). The use of shadows and light add to the tension in a way that only the best horror movies, games, and other entries into the genre have achieved before.
The biggest detraction would be that in most cases you don't get a chance to enjoy the environment because somethings trying to kill you. Another big negative would be the metro stations or safe zones, with few exceptions every station begins to look the same and is easily navigated.
Sound: 4/5 just like the graphics almost every sound seems to add to the experience, you will get as many startles from a gun shot or sudden roar as you will get chills down your spine from a far off scream or howl. Paranoia from an empty can being kicked far off in the distance occurs pretty frequently as well!
The downside would be the racket in the metro stations, the background noise is repetitive here and almost drowns out the important conversation you might actually want to hear.
Overall: 4/5
Pros: amazingly immersive! enthralling story, and incredibly scary!
Cons: every other thing in the safe zones.