![]() The dark graphics are a feature, not a bug, which means that the game didn’t have to sacrifice too much to come over to the Switch. I didn’t play much of the Metro franchise on other consoles, but I played enough to know it’s meant to be all claustrophobic and eerie, a post-apocalyptic future where humanity has mostly been forced underground into dank tunnels and where unknown dangers lie in wait to tear you apart. That’s not meant to be a criticism, by the way. ![]() If no one can see what’s happening, after all, no one can see the rough edges and papered-over seams. Metro 2033 seems to have discovered the solution to this challenge: make everything as dark and dank as possible. I mean, I loved The Witcher 3, and Skyrim, and Bioshock, and all kinds of other classics that have come over to Nintendo’s hybrid console, but I think it’s clear that they don’t necessarily look as good as they do on other systems. Metro 2033 and Last Light Redux meet, if not, exceed, those expectations.One of the criticisms that big-budget games get when they’re ported to the Switch is that, more often than not, sacrifices need to be made in order to get the games working properly. In a world where games like The Witcher 3 and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim are playable on Nintendo's handheld console hybrid, the bar for quality Switch ports of big games is pretty high. It's an accomplishment by developer 4A Games to bring both to Switch at this level of quality. Metro 2033 and Last Light were once technical showcases, often used as PC benchmark tools to gauge performance. The best part of Metro's captivating campaigns is the sense of vulnerability it instills through its atmosphere and gameplay systems-and these aspects remain untouched in 2033 and Last Light's Switch ports. And the resource management of gas mask filters and military-grade bullets (used as either high-damage ammo or currency) keep you on your toes. A great mix of stealth, unforgiving firefights, and tense exploration make up the Metro games. The otherworldly species of the Dark Ones provide a mysterious narrative crux as you learn about them in the midst of conflict between human factions. Metro takes you through the horrors of surviving in the underground tunnels of a post-apocalyptic Russia where the surface is ravaged by radiation and mutated beasts lurk around every corner. Metro 2033 and Last Light might be dark most of the time, but they sure looks great on Switch.Īs for the games themselves, Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light are still absolute achievements as narrative-driven FPSs-some may say Last Light carried the legacy of Half-Life 2 of sorts. The console's shortcomings have less of an impact on Metro in comparison to other shooters combat in Metro doesn't necessarily require quick reflexes or pinpoint precision most of the time, hardly hindering my ability to overcome combat scenarios. Metro's style of slow-paced action and exploration also means that the constraints of the Joy-Con analog sticks are easier to deal with using a bit of auto-aim and motion controls to fine-tune aiming down sights, playing in handheld mode feels just right. And coming from someone who prioritizes PC versions because of framerate and higher refresh rate, that consistent 30 fps is viable for Metro's slower, methodical pace in and out of combat, especially for a handheld experience. Although it's not the 60 fps or 144 fps we can get from a proper PC, there haven't been any distracting dips when the action ramps up. The limitation in framerate is manageable, too, because Metro 2033 and Last Light maintain a near-constant 30 frames per second on Switch. But even outside of those instances where big firefights break out or when you have to navigate larger areas on the surface, performance and visuals remain consistent. Granted, these Metro games mostly take place in fairly contained areas with tight, dark spaces. Even lighting effects and character models, which are imperative to the Metro experience, still shine through. It's not just that the condensed screen mitigates the perceivable blemishes of lower graphical fidelity, it's that the graphical compromises are somewhat minimal as not to muddle or obscure overall visual clarity. ![]() Naturally, the compromises are noticeable when playing in docked mode on a full size display, but Metro Redux is truly stunning in handheld mode. Now Playing: Metro 2033 and Last Light Redux Switch Gameplay By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
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