Metro is one of those series that has flown under the radar for years despite the fact that it's gotten a ton of critical praise. You could think of it as the Rusian version of Fallout, a dark tale of survival after society collapses.

Metro is, however, very much its own thing - and players who have made it this far will adore the latest leap forward.

Taking a Step into a Bigger World

If you've played a Metro game before, you probably expect a few basic things. Some tight gunplay, a lot of underground corridors, and some substantial resource management. Exodus has the first and the last, but it breaks from the series' roots by finally putting the bulk of the game above ground.

Metro Exodus isn't just an iteration of the past - it's the kind of reinvention that reminds you why we have sequels in the first place.

You could reasonably call the concept of this game 'Metro, but above ground' and be technically right, but what you're really seeing is Metro taking its first steps into a bigger world. While the underground has been an exciting place to play for the last two entries, this one forces players into a much larger world.

An Absolutely Gorgeous Apocalypse

The Metro games have always looked pretty - that's a huge part of their charm. While the world and the characters are run-down and rough, the visuals have always been top-notch. Metro Exodus takes a lot of those rusty aesthetics and keeps them in play, but it combines them with a totally new world that's more than worth multiple looks.

The world here looks very lived-in, a design choice that makes the vast expanses of green grass and nature look all the more beautiful. There is visually so much going on that it's not hard to forget that this is, at its heart, a shooter game, not an exploration game.

A few points should also be given to the sound design. Not only is it excellent in terms of providing you with the requisite audio clues, but the voice work is a lot of fun. It doesn't quite stand up to the visuals, but it's not going to detract from them either.

A Smarter Survival Shooter

When it comes to combat, it's hard not to look at Metro Exodus as the gold standard.

Exodus follows in the footsteps of plenty of other games, and it does so well. You've got the usual mix of stealth and shooting missions, though the latter works are a little better than the former. Every gun feels right, and the upgrade system is so simple that you'll never be underpowered because you used the wrong part.

The various fetch missions here are well-constructed and feel useful, while the main story missions are all tense and ultimately rewarding. You might get a little bogged down with managing resources from time to time, but you'll eventually end up enjoying the rhythm of the game.

A Near-Perfect Experience

The most infuriating thing about Metro Exodus is how far it flew under the radar. Metro Exodus is an incredibly good game that falls just short of perfect due to some small glitches and the lack of replay value. If you're still in the mood for a post-apocalyptic shooter, though, you need to give this one a try as soon as possible.

TL/DR

Metro Exodus is an incredibly well-made shooter that is among the best of the genre.