Ripped from the pages of scribe Dmitry Glukhovskys cult novel and transposed to pixels and pad by developer 4A Games, THQs Metro 2033 confidently swaggers on to 360 as one of the finest looking console exclusive shooters Microsofts machine has played home to in a some time. Part first-person shooter, part survival horror and peppered with elements of an RPG, 4As grimy rip-roarer is a stunningly rendered exercise in atmospheric gaming.
From the condensation ringed goggles of your mask to the monstrous creatures that roam the apocalyptic Russian landscape, right through to the painstakingly limited ammo supplies, Metros strength lies in its cracking ability to generate constantly sustainable feeling of dread. And amidst the gunfights lies a remarkably inventive shooter too; splicing the usual bouts of bullet ballet with inventive set pieces and stealth segments, Metro 2033 is proof that publisher THQ is certainly making in-roads in 2010 to deliver the goods with both this and the comic-book inspired, Darksiders raising eyebrows.
While its ultimately a very PC-inspired yarn, Metro 2033 weaves together its solid storytelling, eerie atmosphere and (hit and miss) shooter mechanics with aplomb. And with the 2034 novel already on shelves, expect news of a sequel soon. Until then, revel in one of the finest shooters the 360 has to offer this far into 2010.