Mini review: Metro last light

You are in the year 2034, the setting.. Post apocalyptic Russia.
Deep underground is the bustling metro station that so many of survivors now call home, taking refuge from the horrors of the outside world.
Besieged by threats even from within the metro system as various factions are locked in a struggle for great power, a doomsday device and a brewing civil war that could end it all.

Jumping into the game you take control of Artyom, hero of metro 2033 and finding himself constantly in the middle of waring factions as you embark on another adventure.

Long since have I played a game that has a rather linear enviroment but can be so engaging and rich, depicting a good insight into what it might be like living in such a setting.
Even though exploration is not as well done as games like the GTA series or Elder scrolls the more you read, listen and experience the different stations throughout the metro system it adds much life into experiencing that environment.

I have constantly found myself in a situation feeling some genuine emotions of nearvousness or panic, seeing a team member coming close to death followed by frantic button mashing as if I, myself could assist my team mate put on his gas mask in his time of need.

However good the gameplay may be, I wish that the npc a.i could have been a bit more aware of happenings as it is not any real challenge to escape or defeat your enemy.
Players who decide to take a more stealthy approach will be rewarded with the eas of taking down enemies, with a number of stealth oriented weapons and the ability to unscrew light bulbs and put out lamps.
If players are looking for a more action packed experience, going in guns blazing is also a perfectly viable option.

Another gripe that I have found with this game is that the difficulty setting of the game feels a bit unbalanced.
When playing on the hard setting it just does not feel that hard, enemies are not more alert and ammunition is abundantly available.

With the good and the bad weighed up, metro last light stays a highly enjoyable game.
I do believe that the linearity of the setting is balanced out with so much other detail, true moments of not knowing what's around the next bend.
With all it has to offer, the tiny flaws can easily be overlooked.
Definitely a game that deserves a play through.

Metro last light ratings by:
IGN: 4.7
Gamespot: 90/100
Giant bomb:4 of 5 stars
Double jump: 4 High fives

Available for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC