There are many video games set in worlds ruined by nuclear war or environmental disaster and at first glance the Metro may not seem to have much to separate it from similar first-person games like Fallout. Metro stands out with its attention to detail, giving players access to game mechanics like monitoring their gas mask in irradiated areas and forcing them to interact with different groups of survivors like the communist Reds, the Nazi inspired Fourth Reich, and the elite and protective Rangers. One of the biggest things that sets the Metro series apart though is its focus on the mysterious and unexplained Dark Ones. Metro Redux allows players to explore this world by playing through both Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light, and is ultimately the best way to play both Metro titles.
Metro 2033 (the first game in the Metro series) has been improved the most. Before players even begin they are given the option of picking between the original Survival mode or play using the Last Light inspired Ranger mode. Survival mode will ensure that 2033 is played more strategically as players conserve ammo and watch their gas mask filters more closely. Ranger mode on the other hand provides a more fast paced Metro 2033. Players should note that Survival mode feels more forgiving than the original version of Metro 2033, so if players have experience with the series they may consider bumping the difficulty up.
A lot of the reason 2033 feels easier is because the title has been given an update to its graphics and lighting, which allows players to better distinguish enemies in the dark. Not only that, but the original 2033's fickle method of switching weapons has been replaced with the selection wheel of Metro Last Light. The enemy AI seems more consistent as well, which makes sneaking around and taking out enemies simpler. The largest issue with 2033 though is that the game still consistently throws large amounts of enemies at the player, rather than find more interesting ways to increase difficulty. Overall, Redux is a smoother and less frustrating way to play Metro 2033.
Metro: Last Light doesn't really feel different than the original version of the game, but has been given a decent graphical update. This isn't as noticeable on the Switch as it may be with the PS4 or Xbox One, but the difference is still there. Last Light is a noticeably more complex game than its predecessor, with more of a focus on the relationships between survivors and a lot more time spent exploring the surface of Moscow. Sneaking around the environment feels more effective than it does in 2033, and players will find themselves capable of clearing out entire rooms without being spotted by enemies.
The biggest upside to owning the Redux version of Last Light is that players gain access to all of the game's DLC. One set of DLC allows players to take on the roles of Anna, Pavel, and Khan in their own levels that give a greater understanding of Artyom's story. Another bonus mission is the challenging Tower Pack that puts players through a wave-based survival shooter, which drastically changes the way that Last Light is meant to be played by making face enemies directly instead of sneaking around. In total there are 9 separate bonus missions that players will most likely spend as much time with as the main story.
Ultimately, both Metro games are as fresh and engaging as the day they released. Metro 2033 has received several improvements, and it is impressive to see the amount of work that 4A Games put into streamlining mechanics like weapon switching. While Last Light wasn't given anything other than a mild graphical update, this is mostly because the game has always run very well. The upside is that playing through the DLC is just as enjoyable as playing through the standard base game. Being able to play Metro Redux on the go with the Switch makes the experience that much more enjoyable. Metro Redux is is a must play for fans of the series or even a great place to start for those who want to check out Metro Exodus.
Metro Redux is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. A Nintendo Switch code was provided for the purposes of this review.