The horrors of the post apocalyptic Metro tunnels will draw you in like never before!
MLL is based on the Metro 2033 book by a young Russian author and a sequel to the game bearing the same tile. It shines in creating an immersive claustrophobic atmosphere in post-apocalyptic Moscow subway tunnels. There's lots of similarities in look and feel with the subway locations depicted in the Fallout 3. But that's where the similarities end. Expect an "on the rail" shooter, classic choke points with enemies to clear before you can proceed and with lots of cut in scenes that, when work, do add to the cinematic horror experience and moments that will raise your heart rate. You will battle a range of horrifying mutants belonging both to the flora and fauna of the ever so bleak and wiped out environment. Don't expect the human race to be always friendly as there will be plenty of unfriendly factions to deal with, taking ideological inspiration from not so distant Soviet past. The range of weapons fits in well as they are all makeshift and ubiquitous to the historic environment where the game takes place. Puzzles will be far and between and quite clichéd so comparing it to the world of Half – Life is a far stretch.
If the above sounds tempting but not convincing I will give you two more reasons to buy this game. First – the 4A - development team from Ukraine endured some serious hardships during game creation from hard working environment (small office, occasional lack of heating during winter months) and recently the problems with the publisher going under. Buying this game will be like saying thank you to a great talented group of people that succeeded despite being an underdog (and saying we want more!).
The second is the fact that the console version will still hold a great resale value at your local GameStop by the time you're done with it. As witnessed by the reviewer GameStop only got up to 3 copies and when I went to look for it (during a torrential downpour) all local shops in the area were sold out and there were no pre-owned versions (X360). Luckily, the one day delivery from Amazon saved my week off
Last piece of advice. Do not go for the Limited Edition – in my opinion it's not worth the extra $10 for the hardcore game mode unless you are really a true fan and somewhat sadomasochistic (the normal level can be quite challenging and Ranger mode should be unlockable later). Add $5 more and travel to the Wild West with the COJ: Gunslinger instead.
In the end expect lots of fun from this title and if you loved it, bring the book "Metro 2033" to your favorite vacation spot this summer.