As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the upcoming VR spin-off prequel, Metro Awakening, has piqued my interest in ways that few games have managed to do recently. With its immersive gameplay mechanics, intricate storytelling, and clever use of VR technology, this game seems poised to deliver an experience that is both engaging and memorable.
The Metro series has an impressive history so far, leading to high anticipation for what’s next. While the release date of the follow-up to Metro Exodus by 4A Games is yet unknown, there are other exciting developments on the horizon. For one, Vertigo Games has hopped aboard the Metro bandwagon (funny) and released a VR-exclusive game called Metro Awakening. Since its announcement, this title has been looking more and more promising. As players gear up to explore it, here’s some essential information you should know.
VR-ONLY
To clarify, “Metro Awakening” is a video game specifically designed for virtual reality (VR), meaning it can only be played on VR devices. This news might disappoint fans of the series who have been eagerly waiting for a new installment, as the latest entry appears to be exclusive to VR platforms. However, it seems that this game is employing the VR medium in innovative ways, which could potentially make up for its exclusivity. The game can currently be found on PS VR2, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3 (if released), SteamVR, and Viveport.
STORY DETAILS
It’s clear that the main narrative of Metro will carry on from the upcoming game by 4A Games. Now, let’s discuss where Metro Awakening falls within this timeline. The VR title acts as a prequel to the trilogy, taking place before Metro 2033. In this game, we follow a new protagonist named Dr. Serdar, who sets out on a perilous mission to save his wife. This game also reveals the backstory of Khan, a mysterious character frequently appearing in the series that fans are familiar with.
WRITTEN BY ORIGINAL METRO AUTHOR
Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky, who wrote the Metro novels that inspired 4A Games’ shooters, has also been deeply involved in the development of these games. Although Awakening wasn’t developed by 4A Games, Glukhovsky still played a significant role. He is credited as the game’s writer, having penned an original story for it. This means that fans of the series can anticipate an authentic Metro experience that fits seamlessly into the series’ broader narrative.
RETAINING THE LOOK OF THE MAIN SERIES
In the creation of the VR game, “Metro Awakening,” Vertigo Games has significantly altered the design while preserving its identity as part of the main “Metro” series. To accomplish this, they collaborated directly with 4A Games, who provided assets from previous games to either use directly or serve as references for new elements in the game. Martin de Ronde, the creative director, shared that this collaboration was crucial in maintaining the familiar look and feel of the original series when speaking with the PlayStation Blog. In simpler terms, they worked closely together to ensure the game retains the essence of the Metro franchise while also showcasing a unique VR experience.
We’ve considered certain assets for our game, as they are integral to the Mainland series and we wanted to reuse them. It’s important for players to identify these elements in our game as well. Some assets serve as references, while others are a step back in terms of appearance, depicting how things might have looked before the events of the Mainline series.
SIMILAR STEALTH-COMBAT LOOP
In terms of deviations from the usual, Metro Awakening doesn’t plan to stray too far when it comes to the blend of combat and stealth, which is a key aspect of the Metro series as acknowledged by game director Samar Louwe at Vertigo Games. He emphasized that maintaining the balance between stealth and combat, keeping players on their toes and uncertain about when they’ll be detected, works exceptionally well in VR. This includes elements like sneaking up on enemies to listen to their conversations, physically taking cover, and peering through holes to observe them.
However, don’t worry if you’re someone who likes to act quickly, as there’s an abundance of traditional ‘Metro’ gameplay action for you to enjoy.
SLOWER COMBAT
In Metro Awakening, while the fundamental gameplay will resemble that of the main series, you should anticipate a more leisurely approach to combat. This is due in part to the virtual reality (VR) experience, but also because the protagonist in this game isn’t as proficient in combat as Artyom from the main series. As such, a slower pace aligns better with the character’s abilities.
AMMO CONSERVATION
In the world of Metro, resourcefulness has always been crucial, and this trend continues with Awakening. Particularly, players need to prioritize ammunition preservation, a characteristic that’s true to the Metro series. This emphasis on conservation encourages exploration more than anything else. As game director Samar Louwe mentioned in an interview with the PS Blog, “You’re always searching for ammo. We’ve designed our environment and world meticulously, but you need a reason to explore. The primary motivation to investigate every corner is to find bullets. We decided to hide these in small packets rather than full clips. So you won’t always find complete ammo, but rather single bullets here and there. Additionally, we’ve made an effort to add some environmental storytelling about how that ammo ended up, which can spark your imagination.
“The philosophy that we’ve taken along for this is also that basically, if you look everywhere, you’re probably going to have enough bullets to get through your combat encounters. If you just look on the critical path, you will probably have to be a better shot. And if you don’t scavenge at all, then you’re gonna have a hard time. Of course, you can always fall back to stealth. If you’re successful at that, then that’s always an option.”
STEALTH DETAILS
In Metro Awakening, the stealth mechanics are likely to be reminiscent of previous games in the series. You’ll find yourself hiding in the shadows, sneaking past or attacking enemies as a primary strategy. Additionally, expect to use items for distractions, a crossbow for silent takedowns (which you’ll acquire later in the game), and more. It’s worth noting that your flashlight can give away your position to enemies, adding an extra layer of challenge.
UI AND INTERACTIONS
In the Metro series, they strive to make the user interface (UI) feel as realistic or in-game as possible by minimizing traditional gamified elements and menus. Instead, they integrate them into the game world itself, enhancing immersion for players. Metro: Awakening follows this trend, even pushing boundaries further thanks to its VR capabilities. For instance, you have to physically look at your gun’s clip to see how many bullets remain, and put on your mask by first removing your backpack from your shoulder and then pulling the mask out before equipping it. This is an aspect where the franchise has consistently shone, so it’s great to see Metro: Awakening utilizing VR hardware in a way that aligns with fans’ expectations.
LOCOMOTION SETTINGS
In any virtual reality game, the keys to the experience are usually the control schemes and locomotion settings. Just like many other VR games, Metro Awakening offers two modes for these aspects: Comfort mode, which employs teleportation for movement, and Immersion mode, where players can use continuous stick-based movement for a more immersive experience. Furthermore, the game’s settings menu includes several adjustable options to help tailor the gaming experience even further.
PS VR2 ADAPTIVE TRIGGERS
4D Skyline’s “Metro Awakening” will be available on multiple platforms, but it will particularly optimize its performance for PS VR2 due to its unique features. For example, the adaptive triggers are extensively utilized throughout the game, enhancing the immersion by providing subtle feedback when firing weapons. As game director Samar Louwe explained to the PlayStation Blog, “The adaptive triggers offer a slight yet significant enhancement to the immersion since they provide additional feedback as you discharge your weapon. Our designers really enjoyed implementing and fine-tuning it for each weapon. While it might seem insignificant, those minor details can make you forget that you’re playing a game when they feel so real.” Another instance is the haptic feedback, which adds to the overall experience by making intense moments in the game even more tangible.
LENGTH
In essence, Metro Awakening, being a VR exclusive spinoff prequel, isn’t designed to be as extensive as a full-fledged Metro Exodus experience, but it’s not a brief game either. According to critics, the main story typically lasts around 8-10 hours on Normal mode, which is a suitable length for a linear, narrative-driven first-person shooter. Interestingly, this duration is similar to that of the main stories in the first two games.
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2024-11-08 19:41