So I've been playing more of this, and I am wondering if I am playing the same game that IGN and Gamespot gave such poor scores to. Maybe it is because I am playing a patched version, but I haven't encountered anything frustrating. The performance isn't so bad, and I am playing at max settings.
Anyway, the game is very impressive so far. It is so immersive, and the set pieces are really sweet so far.
The game is just dripping with atmosphere. The art direction is so unique, and paints a bleak world perfectly. As I said before, the lighting is just stellar. The monsters look plain, but somehow don't feel generic. I love the economics of the game, with the scarce ammo and everything. It feels like a bettered version of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
But the best part of the game is the actual story telling. It has been perfect in all aspects so far. I love the dialog, which definitely feels like it is out of the pages of a decent book rather than the mind of a typical game developer. The voice acting is also top notch, it has to be said. The cast is all Russian, and has been excellent.
As I said, the bleak world has been painted perfectly. As you travel throw this post apocalyptic world, you really feel like you are there. In most games, you have to suspend disbelief when dealing with the confines of a limited game universe. Here, it is easier to believe, because your character is boxed in with the rest of what is left of Moscow.
I live in what is a pretty poor country, and there is a certain pessimism and naivety to the lower class people, that is reflected very well in Metro 2033.
I am just hoping that the opening couple of hours weren't some fluke, and the game continues to be as good as it has been so far. There is so much potential here, and this could have easily been a game that got a 85+ score across the board. It is a pity that they didn't have the resources to do better testing before release.
Playing Metro 2033, I actually feel like I just have to survive, which is very appealing to me. It is part of what attracted me to Demon's Souls. I've been playing at normal difficulty, and the game isn't "normal" at normal difficulty, I can tell you that much. I am still toying with the idea of playing at full hardcore.
edit:
Gamespot gave it an 8.0, which is far. I think IGN gave it a 6.5, which is just baffling.
I think Que would
love this game. How many of you have Metro 2033?