Amazing but short lived
User Rating: 7.5 | Metro 2033 PC
Just finished this game for the second time in a row, once on normal, and than the hardest, as I do with any game I encounter. Risking sounding like a broken record, the game is IMMERSIVE, the story takes place in the underground subways of russia, and your reason for being there is due to the nuclear fallout that took place above ground, and boy can you truly feel that energy. The subways of russia are dark, dank, and depressing, but there are lots of people (NPCs) that are making the best of a bad situation and still manage to be humorous and try enjoy the little things in life like having a drink with a couple of your comrades or huddling around a fire listening to a buddy strum his guitar, its a very refreshing atmosphere in comparison to the slew of run of the mill shooters that have hit the shelves in recent years. There is even a bit of a horror element here, the result of the nuclear war is apparent as you fight not only an ongoing war between the reds(russians) and the nazis, but the by products of the hazardous environment on the outside in the form of mutants. The weapons are creative but still rather generic, and come with a choice of mods however you dont get to modify the guns themselves just buy them with said attachements, which for the most part is... ok. You can also use really rare military grade ammo found scattered throughout the game to buy ammo for your current guns or have the option of using the military grade ammo for more oomf, however its much more cost effective to just use it as currency seeing as ammo is pretty scarce for the most part. The game is fun from beginning to end with action packed firefights between you and the nazis(or the option of using stealth based approach) and gut wrenching ecnounters with the mutants you frequently encounter that will definately offer a quick change of pace and keep you on your toes, and an especially terrifying series of encounters in the library.
As exciting and immersive as this game can be just when your getting comfortable in this hostile world, like a slug in the chest, its over. Just above 10 hours for the campaign even on the hardest difficulty, your left wanting so much more when its all over. Multiplayer is as to be be expected with not much variation from what you've seen before. I would have given this game an 8 or 8.5 as gamespot did had the campaign been a bit longer, so I come in a 7.5 and I think that is being fair. Dont miss this rare gem :)
