“Read this,” a friend suggested, handing me a book. Metro, the cover proclaimed. I wondered, “What is this about?” “It’s excellent science fiction,” my friend replied, and they were correct.
The narrative unfolds in 2034, in a Moscow devastated by war. Mutated creatures and hostile individuals pose a constant threat, forcing the remaining fragment of humanity to seek refuge in the subway system. A sinister faction seeks a weapon of ultimate destruction, capable of eradicating humanity entirely, and it is the player’s mission to prevent this catastrophe.
Metro Last Light Redux is an adaptation of Metro 2033: Den sista tillflykten by Russian author Dmitrij Gluchovskij, a master of dystopian fiction. (A more recent installment in the series, Metro Exodus, was released last year for PS4 and Xbox One, and has been previously reviewed on senses.se). The game exhibits a remarkable richness of detail, mirroring the captivating narratives of the source material. While the game incorporates some alterations and rearrangements, it retains the core essence of the book. Exploring the vast subway network proves to be a compelling experience. The controls are intuitive, facilitating fluid gameplay. Players have access to a diverse arsenal of weapons and equipment, and strategic decision-making is crucial to overcome challenging encounters.
Originally released in 2013, Metro Last Light Redux has now been ported to Nintendo Switch. Similar to Alien: Isolation, this is an ambitious title that the developers have successfully optimized for the Switch’s hardware, yielding impressive results. The game performs admirably in both portable and docked modes. The text is sufficiently sized and legible, even on the smaller screen.
Given its age, the game exhibits some visual characteristics indicative of its 2013 origins. While the “Redux” moniker suggests enhancements, the graphical improvements are not strikingly significant compared to the original release. The game features extensive underground levels, a common trope in many games. However, Metro Last Light Redux mitigates the potential monotony by incorporating well-placed excursions to the surface world, providing welcome diversions from the subterranean environments.
In conclusion, Metro Last Light Redux is a worthwhile acquisition. It provides numerous hours of engaging gameplay at an accessible price point.
