Always wanted to walk around in the world of Metro? I mean really walk around? Not with a controller, but with a VR headset on your head? Then Metro Awakening VR was made for you! You see, the dark, oppressive tunnels of the Moscow Metro network come to life in this post-apocalyptishce world. As Serdar, a doctor in search of medcines and his wife, you must fight mutants, factions and the constant threat of radiation. But that leaves us with the question, does Matro Awakening VR manage to take the series to a new level or is this game unnecessary and detracts from the series? We went to find out for you!
The setting of Metro Awakening is recognizable from previous games, but also just as oppressive. After a nuclear disaster (how could it be otherwise), humanity has retreated into the Moscow metro network. Set before the events of Metro 2033, the game introduces newcomers to the series to this world without giving too much information. Fans of the series, on the other hand, are rewarded with a world of recognition, such as the improvised weapons, dark tunnels and the mix of stealth, shooting and searching for items. The story revolves around Serdar, who is on a mission to find his wife and medicine. However, the mission gradually changes as you play the game, as you begin to struggle against your own sanity. This is made even stronger by the tension evoked by hallucinations and visions that seem to come from nightmares. The atmosphere of the game gives the feeling that there is always danger, not only because of the world, but also because of the great audio.
Of course, what sets this Metro game apart from previous Metro games is the VR gameplay, which adds a new layer of how you feel involved in the game. After all, you are Serdar and you walk through the world. The arsenal of weapons at your disposal include a crossbow and a revolver, as well as gadgets such as a flashlight that you also have to charge manually. At first glance, you think of, is this nice? But it adds a layer of strategy and tension, because it could just happen that your flashlight runs out and you are besieged by mutants in the dark. Furthermore, VR is used in clever ways. For example, you can put on a gas mask that you have to clean with your hand, which adds another layer of immersion. Charging your weapons, as mentioned with the flashlight, is interesting and makes you have to prepare everything well, making the gameplay feel realistic and exciting.
The gameplay beyond that is change in my opinion. Shooting an enemy with a crossbow feels incredibly cool in VR, but taking down an enemy in stealth mode doesn’t feel as good. Hitting an enemy with a stealth attack feels more like a gamble, rather than a strategic move, because you look like you’re just barely grabbing the enemy in the right way, which is why you end up seeing into a fight. Now a fight is not a big deal, because the weapons are really a highlight of the game. The revolver feels really good, making it feel and seem like you are really holding a revolver in VR. It is a pity that you can’t really upgrade the weapons, if you could, the search for resources would certainly become even more important in the game. Furthermore, the game lacks some pacing, as the first part of the game is incredibly good, while the second half is a bit monotonous. Gampelay elements are repeated and the tension drops away as the endless corridors and predictable enemies pile up. The game lasts about 7 to 8 hours, but better pacing would certainly have made the game better.
The world otherwise feels very detailed, the subway stations look dilapidated, you see bodies lying around that even have different stages of decomposition and the threat is always present. The light in the game, such as flickering lamps or red-lit rooms, make you feel like you are isolated from the real world. In addition, you are always on your guard because you hear sounds everywhere, such as the shuffling of rats or the screaming mutants that scare you. Still, not everything is great, as the game does get hampered with technical issues, such as frame drops, glitches and enemies suddenly disappearing (mutants can do that too, apparently?). Had Metro Awakening just had that extra layer of extra work, the game would have come out of the V(R)erf even better.
Metro Awakening VR is an interesting addition to the franchise that harnesses the power of VR at most points. The atmosphere, weapons and tension make it highly recommended to fans of the series and lovers of survival-horror. Still, its technical problems and repetitive gameplay keep it from being the absolute top gem that previous games were, but its strengths ensure that you will definitely be scared in the world of Metro Awakening.