Metro 2033

If you prefer gunning down everything in sight, you may quickly find yourself having to fend off hordes of slavering mutants with only a knife for company.

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"Metro 2033" is a single-player Horror Shooter game, set in a post-apocalyptic Moscow subway system. As Artyom, venture from your Metro Station-City to warn humanity of an impending threat, battling mutant horrors and making tenuous alliances in a uniquely emotional and atmospheric experience. Despite its splendid visuals, compelling music, and fabulous game mechanics, it suffers from optimization issues, bugs, and a lack of humor.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,082 reviews

story675 positive mentions

optimization24 negative mentions

Incredible atmosphere and immersive world-building that captures the essence of post-apocalyptic Moscow.
Engaging story with memorable characters and moral choices that affect the ending.
Unique gameplay mechanics, such as using military-grade ammunition as currency and managing gas mask filters.

Stealth mechanics can be frustrating and inconsistent, often leading to detection even when hidden.
Linear level design with limited exploration opportunities, making the game feel restrictive.
Technical issues and bugs, including performance problems and a lack of manual save options.

story
1,201 mentions
56 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of *Metro 2033* is widely praised for its immersive and atmospheric narrative, following the protagonist Artyom as he navigates a post-apocalyptic Moscow metro system filled with mutants and human factions. While some players appreciate the linear progression and moral choices that lead to multiple endings, others find the plot simplistic and the character development lacking. Overall, the game is recognized for its compelling storytelling, strong world-building, and the emotional weight of its themes, making it a standout in the genre despite some gameplay flaws.
- “Metro 2033 is a great game; it is flawed and has rough edges at times, but the atmosphere and story make it all worth the time.”
- “The story is fairly simple, but the best part is its fascinating world and how they nailed the bleak and suffocating atmosphere of the metro.”
- “The story is compelling, and the paranormal element really works.”
- “The story is incredibly meh, basically your vault, I mean metro station, is in need of help, so you have to leave the safety of it to get help, fighting all kinds of monsters (actually only 4 types, 2 of which are carbon copies), nazis, communists, and bandits.”
- “The storyline at the start wasn't even enough to keep me going beyond the first swarm attack.”
- “The story, although familiar, was different enough to enjoy it.”
atmosphere
594 mentions
68 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Metro 2033 is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the bleakness of a post-apocalyptic Moscow. Reviewers highlight the game's attention to detail, sound design, and visual aesthetics, which together create a tense and oppressive environment that enhances the overall experience. While some criticize the gameplay mechanics, the overwhelming consensus is that the atmosphere is the game's standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of atmospheric storytelling and survival horror.
- “The game's attention to detail creates an immersive atmosphere that will leave you feeling like you're really underground.”
- “Metro 2033 is an astonishingly atmospheric and immersive game.”
- “The atmosphere really has to be the best character in all this since it captures you.”
- “The atmosphere is haunting and cold.”
- “The atmosphere is so unnerving that I found myself not wanting to explore (5 of 5 stars).”
- “The atmosphere and how the focus on survival is perfect; the best ammo in the game (military grade rounds) is used as currency, so on harder difficulties you'll have to decide whether every shot with them is worth it as you will literally be losing money.”
graphics
555 mentions
67 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers noting that they remain impressive even years after its release. Players appreciate the detailed environments, atmospheric lighting, and overall visual fidelity, often comparing them favorably to more recent titles. While some mention optimization issues and the need for powerful hardware to fully experience the graphics, the consensus is that the game's visuals significantly enhance the immersive storytelling and gameplay experience.
- “The graphics are top notch.”
- “The graphics are just amazing, astonishing and eye-catching.”
- “The atmosphere, assets, and art style are far superior to the redux.”
- “Despite the game being 6 years old, I have to turn all graphics options down due to terrible optimization to achieve a framerate that is merely acceptable as opposed to outright nauseating.”
- “Graphics are bad and to compensate it takes place in dark tunnels where no one can see anything.”
- “The lack of changeable graphics options was really annoying— there's a whole list of features on the graphics options menu (like bump mapping, ambient occlusion, motion blur, etc.) that you can't actually directly change.”
gameplay
512 mentions
46 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Metro 2033 has received mixed reviews, with many praising its immersive atmosphere and engaging story, while others criticize its mechanics as clunky and frustrating. Players appreciate the unique resource management system, where bullets serve as currency, and the tension created by limited supplies, but find the stealth mechanics poorly implemented and the overall gameplay somewhat linear. Despite its flaws, the game is noted for its intense moments and strategic elements, making it a memorable experience for fans of atmospheric shooters.
- “The actual gameplay and the way the narrative unfolds is just flawless.”
- “Game holds up even today, story is interesting and easy to follow, and the gameplay is fun with good controls.”
- “The gameplay is immersive as you'll get thrown in different environments along the way that make you feel like you are living in the metro with those people.”
- “Gameplay aged like shit.”
- “The actual gameplay itself is thoroughly boring, and while some effort has been made to add some unique gameplay features, these mostly fall flat.”
- “A suspenseful and immersive horror FPS with so much potential, yet ruined by poor mechanics that were easily preventable by the more than capable development team.”
optimization
59 mentions
12 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
41 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, lag, and the need to lower graphics settings to achieve acceptable frame rates. Despite its impressive graphics and atmosphere, the game is deemed poorly optimized, often requiring high-end hardware to run smoothly, which detracts from the overall experience. While some players have managed to enjoy the game despite these issues, the consensus is that better optimization could have greatly enhanced gameplay.
- “The atmosphere is amazing, the graphics are very impressive for 2010 and the game, while having a few problems with optimization, runs fairly well.”
- “I can personally attest the game runs smoothly with high framerates on an AMD A10-6800K APU on high settings at 720p.”
- “And well optimized for all its visual appeal.”
- “Despite the game being 6 years old, I have to turn all graphics options down due to terrible optimization to achieve a framerate that is merely acceptable as opposed to outright nauseating.”
- “This is the worst optimized game that I have ever tried to run.”
- “The visual quality of this game on the highest settings is not any better than many other games I have, yet the performance (even at low settings) is absolutely horrible.”
stability
57 mentions
5 % positive mentions
-4 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is frequently criticized, with numerous players reporting a variety of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as falling through the map, animation issues, and unresponsive mechanics. While some users find these issues manageable and still enjoy the game's atmosphere and story, others describe the experience as frustrating and at times unplayable. Overall, the game is seen as "buggy" but still offers an engaging experience for those willing to overlook its technical shortcomings.
- “It's stable and linear, with no bugs to disrupt the experience.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
- “I appreciate the consistent performance; it never feels unstable.”
- “Great game, but the Steam version is endlessly buggy and rotten.”
- “Overrated and super buggy still... played the game 2 hours and have fallen through the world 3 separate times, all in different places.”
- “The game is unplayable due to 0.5 to 1 second 'microfreezes' every ten seconds or so.”
music
38 mentions
42 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers praising the haunting and immersive soundtrack that complements the game's eerie settings. Voice acting and sound design are also highlighted as top-notch, contributing to a rich auditory experience that captivates players. However, some critiques mention moments of repetitiveness and a lack of variety in the music, though overall, the soundscape is considered a significant strength of the game.
- “Listen to great voice acting and music: the game's voice actors and composer have done a fantastic job of bringing the characters and atmosphere to life.”
- “You'll be transported to another world by the game's soundtrack and sound effects.”
- “The sound design is also wonderful, with the tunnels making all kinds of noises adding to the scary atmosphere, and the wonderfully composed musical score that underscores it all without being overwhelming.”
- “The soundtrack and sound effects are okay.”
- “The story is so-so, the levels are very linear, there is not much customization, and the music is very lacking.”
- “Music is simple, slow, and melancholy (when it even plays at all).”
replayability
34 mentions
32 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it high due to multiple difficulty levels, alternative paths, and the ability to explore different strategies, while others note its linearity and limited content as drawbacks. Many agree that the engaging story and atmosphere contribute to a worthwhile experience, but the overall consensus leans towards moderate replay value, especially for those who enjoy achievements and exploring secrets. Ultimately, the game is seen as enjoyable for a few playthroughs, particularly if acquired at a lower price.
- “The way you deal with them is completely up to you, with an arsenal of DIY-style weapons and customizations, making each fight a fresh experience, and the overall game replayable and open.”
- “Excellent FPS single-player experience with amazing replay value due to the fact that you can replay levels and take different paths, or even decide between stealth or guns blazing.”
- “While the game is linear, the story is very intriguing and drives you forward to discover what new dangers and sights lie ahead, with 5 difficulty modes, two of which are the ranger modes that reduce ammo found and increase damage dealt, and achievements that reward different and conflicting approaches to challenges, giving the game replayability despite its linearity.”
- “I only recommend the game if one can get it for $2.00 or less, as the game is nearly 8 years old and has little to no replay value unless one completed it on easy on the first playthrough.”
- “It does have very limited replayability value, however.”
- “Took me only 9 hours with low replayability and no multiplayer, so I wouldn't have put much more than 10€ into it to be honest.”
emotional
18 mentions
94 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its atmospheric setting, which evokes feelings of fear, loneliness, and empathy, particularly through the tragic stories of its characters. Players report a deep emotional engagement, with choices impacting the narrative and a plot that explores profound themes of humanity and survival. While some critiques mention lifeless characters and a boring story, many agree that the game successfully creates a touching and immersive experience that resonates on multiple levels.
- “Metro 2033 is a very emotional game; it has a lot of choices that lead you down different paths. This game also offers a lot of exploring; you could just run as fast as you can throughout the game, missing all the extra loot that you can find or even something that can help you understand the story.”
- “I literally spent the first hour of the game walking around, hearing people's tragic stories (when's mommy coming back, papa?) and often heartfelt observations about the world around them.”
- “The plot is surprisingly touching, as most of it is told through interaction with the environment and the people in it.”
- “I tried so hard to like this game, but the boring story, lifeless characters, and awful voice acting overwhelm the few good things it has to offer.”
humor
16 mentions
88 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of dark and dry wit, often enhanced by the quirky voice acting, particularly in English and Russian accents. While some moments may feel forced or overly cruel, there are instances of genuine camaraderie and amusing interactions that provide levity amidst the intense atmosphere. Overall, players appreciate the blend of humor with horror, making for a unique and engaging experience.
- “It was hilarious to listen to them speak English in an – I’m assuming – attempted 'Russian' accent.”
- “If you like horrifying creatures, dark corners as well as some dry humor then this is the game for you.”
- “There's even a little sprinkling of Slavic humor here and there -- the post-apocalypse ought not be completely drab and dark.”
- “Some moments feel cheap, and other times just cruel and unusual; the premise is rushed in some areas and so bloody drawn out it's not funny.”
- “Hey, that's not funny.”
grinding
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unenjoyable, often describing it as a chore filled with bugs and frustrating mechanics. While some appreciate certain moments and improvements in sequels, the overall experience is marred by linear gameplay and repetitive tasks that detract from enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This game was a tedious chore with a multitude of bugs that made it infuriating to play.”
- “I, buggy as hell stealth, boring levels, tedious dialogue, and Steve Blum doing his usual poor voice acting for most of the game characters.”
character development
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking, with many reviewers noting it as dull and in need of improvement. While some acknowledge that it is not terrible, comparisons to other titles highlight that it falls short in storytelling and character depth, particularly as the game progresses towards more action-oriented gameplay. Overall, the consensus suggests that enhanced character development could significantly elevate the experience.
- “Compared to Metro LL, Metro 2033 wins hands down on story and character development.”
- “The game is a bit dull for storyline and character development.”
- “On the negative side, this game just doesn't deliver much in the way of storytelling or character development.”
- “They could have done with more spooky atmosphere, character development, and sneaking sections, but instead went with more gunfights later in the game.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received criticism for inappropriate advertising that detracts from the overall atmosphere, suggesting a desire for a more immersive experience without commercial interruptions. While the game itself has been praised for its depth and authenticity, the presence of ads has been noted as a negative element that impacts player engagement.