Metro 2033 (PC)

If you've played on the STALKER games, you'll feel right at home in this much more linear game; if you haven't, then this is a pretty good place to start, and you won't be dissapointed at all.

What should strike you first are the graphics. Metro 2033 is very well optimised for the amazing graphics it posseses if your system can handle it, with little slow-down with lots of activity on screen at a time. The shadows and overall atmosphere which is created by deep, dank tunnels with thick shadows, and the constant footsteps and ghosts make this game very scary at times.

It manages to blend these horror elements in with action very cleverly. Your light can run out, your gas mask can smash, and you can run out of ammunition very quickly, making even the small fights down right dangerous. Battling monsters in the Metro tunnels is a tricky experiance; with their almost always being absolutely nowhere to run.

As well as the dank tunnels, you often venture out into the wasteland surface which was ravaged by nuclear war, and where the game's atmosphere really kicks in. The ground is cracked with gaping holes, and covered in snow. Buildings lay crumbled and creatures scurry in and out of shattered doorways. You have limited gas, so these excursions need to be finished quickly.

Gameplay itself is very basic. There are only a few weapons, and they are all upgrade-esque; as in, one gun is always better than the other, you never need to 'make a choice'. The story is extremely linear, so there are no worries about getting lost at all. Stealth sequences can be tricky due to the AI having the uncanny ability of if one person sees you, everyone is instantly alerted to your presence.

The first person camera style is used a lot during Metro 2033. Pressing the T button causes your character to lift his arm up to show his watch, and this shows the time, how much gas you have left in your gas mask, and your visibility level during stealth sequences; this is a clever way of uncluttering the HUD, and cutscenes feel very realistic and dramatic.

Their is not much replayability at all however. Though the initial playthrough will be fantastic, there is little, if anything, to make you want to play through again. If you enjoyed the story then that might be a temptation, but you will not unlock anything or gain anything for doing this.

The game is very stable on a good PC and it is a great journey.