The Metro series is good, real good. Based on a series of Russian novels, the well-developed lore behind the scenes certainly sets the stage but the games just deliver on that promise weaving excellent action and set pieces through its storylines. Metro Awakening is the upcoming addition to the series that mostly found its conclusion with Metro: Exodus; but this time the game follows a doctor rummaging through the Russian underground instead of a combat veteran rampaging past its checkpoints and opposing forces. So expect more story and stealth than bullets and bravado, although from the gameplay below, things do kick off only a few minutes in with a mounted machine gun against a wave of onrushing aliens. What also should set this entry into the series apart is that Khan, who's tale you are to follow, is fully voiced to better flesh out the story and interactions with other characters; unlike the Artyom from the original trilogy of games who was a silent protagonist. Then there is the fact that the creator of the original novels, Dmitry Glukhovsky, has been closely working with this newest game to get the tone and feel right; and that it's in VR. Did I mention the VR? Well, it's in VR, which probably benefits both ways. Taking the primary focus off of third person shooting and into first person interaction should play to the strengths of VR as a medium.
Metro Awakening releases November 7th. Pre-orders of the deluxe edition on PSVR2 and Steam VR can get early access starting tomorrow, November 5th. When the game releases in full it will be available on PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest 2, 3, 3S, Steam VR, and Viveport.
