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A remastered version of the original Metro 2033 game, inspired by the novel of the same name. Nuclear war had ravaged the Earth some 20 years earlier, scorching the planet's surface and turning it into a toxic, radiated wasteland. Survivors retreated into the labyrinthine Moscow Metro system in order to survive. This vast network of stations and tunnels became home to these people, and over time different "station states" began to develop, commonly in isolation from others. Various factions emerged and now control different parts of the metro. These groups represent different political ideologies, religions, and cultures, and some have become hostile with others. Furthermore the dark, claustrophobic tunnels are filled with dangerous mutated creatures, many of which have descended from the surface. Artyom, our main protagonist, is a young man from VDNKh station who has spent his life underground. Strange creatures have been attacking more and more stations and he is tasked with getting a message to Polis, a group of stations in the center of the network and one of the last bastions of human knowledge, with hopes that he can save his station and others like it. Throughout this journey we will have to traverse through many stations and subways, as well as some surface areas.

While this game is classified as an FPS, make no mistake, it is very much a survival horror game as well. Players need to manage resources and keep their eyes open to find more items. Players can choose between Spartan or Survivor modes, each having different features. Spartan mode focuses on more action and more supplies, while Survivor mode limits the amount of supplies and ammo, has slower movement speed, decreased filter time, and an analogue watch. There are also a variety of difficulty settings that can be adjusted. The redux version has improved AI and combat mechanics yet firefights still feel a little stiff. The graphics are a step up from the original, however they are still janky and dated. This is obvious with player models and facial expressions. Lighting does play an integral part in the game and it does use shadows effectively. The sound design really shines and is instrumental in setting up the tense atmosphere. Eerie sounds can be heard in the distance and the metro tunnels are alive with a variety of sounds. Artyom doesn't really speak but the voice acting of his companions are well done.

Despite its age, Metro 2033 Redux offers a captivating narrative and introduces the fascinating Metro universe, which consists of a plethora of books and has spawned further games since. While the visuals and some gameplay mechanics feel dated, the overall atmosphere and survival elements make this game a great experience.