Metro Exodus abandons the titular subway setting of the series' previous two games, instead sending players into the irradiated Russia above the surface. It turns out a little sun, fresh air, and nuclear fallout is good for the dystopian shooter though, as Exodus is the franchise's best entry by far.
Much credit is due to developer 4A Games' deft handing of this title's more expansive world. Rather than designing a true open-world – complete with objective-cluttered map and seamless sprawls of empty space – the studio's adopted a much smarter, tailored approach. Separated into large, carefully crafted sandbox levels, the world offers plenty more freedom and player agency than previous instalments, but not at the cost of delivering a cinematic, story-driven experience.
Exodus' world is one of the most immersive wastelands we've ever had the pleasure of surviving in.
The post-nuclear winter world is hemmed in just enough to allow for engaging character interactions, epic set piece moments, and narrative-fuelled scripted events, while also catering to the crowd that likes to occasionally forge their own path. It's a brilliant balance that also extends to Exodus' varied gameplay and season-specific environments. The mix of stealth, action, and survival elements is spot-on, while the different settings – from lush forests to sun-soaked deserts – feature a ton of detail and eye-catching diversity.
Exodus also retains the series' limited HUD approach, trading traditional user interface elements for subtle cues organically woven into hero Artyom's guns and gear; menus, meters, and icons don't crowd the screen, but live and work in real-time on the character. Toss in a dynamic day/night cycle, stunning lighting effects, and realistic weather conditions that'll literally have you wiping the elements from your gas-mask, and Exodus' world is one of the most immersive wastelands we've ever had the pleasure of surviving in.
While Exodus' striking presentation and superb pacing steal the show, it also features a diverse line-up of truly horrifying mutants, various human factions with interesting motivations and backstories, and some of the coolest makeshift weapon designs to ever be shouldered by a post-apocalyptic protagonist. Of course, caring for your arsenal and upgrading it with new parts also plays heavily into the game's absorbing survival side.
The story occasionally stumbles, especially when Artyom's awkward silence saps all the dramatic tension from a potentially emotional conversation, but that's a minor nitpick. Otherwise, Exodus' stands out from the crowd, not just within the shooter genre, but among the million other sandbox worlds competing for our time – and precious medkits.