Why Metro: Last Light Is Worth Playing Before It Leaves Epic Game Store

More often than not, the second game in a series is the one to really hit the nail on the head. From Street Fighter 2 all the way to Borderlands 2, developers can truly refine their innovations and really capture what the gaming public wants in a first sequel. That’s exactly what happened in Metro: Last Light, the second of three Metro games developed by 4A Games over the course of the last decade. Each entry is a critically-acclaimed shooter that mixes in horror and survival elements for a completely unique AAA experience. Best of all, any PC players interested in trying it out for the first time still have time to claim it for free on the Epic Games Store. Here’s why it’s well worth a few button presses.

The original Metro 2033 released amidst a boom of post-apocalyptic media, and the game arguably took the trend to its logical conclusion. Unlike popular contemporaries like Fallout 3, Metro inflicted the punishing conditions of a ravaged outside world on any player brave enough to venture away from safety. Mutant creatures could attack at any moment, oxygen ticked down constantly, and bullets were always in short supply. In fact, in one of its most famous mechanics, bullets were not only ammo for weaponry but the actual currency of the world. Shoot up a roaming creature too much and series protagonist Artyom will have no resources for the levels ahead.

While many enjoyed the hardcore nature of Metro 2033, many more felt that the gameplay was a mountain not worth climbing. In response, Metro: Last Light made several changes that improved the experience for all. 4A Games tightened up the gunplay and made stealth easier to allow more players to experience the game. They also gave Artyom a voice via in-game collectibles, expanding the storytelling in ways that expanded further in Metro Exodus. For veterans of Metro 2033, the game offered challenging optional difficulties, but the overall package became much more accessible without sacrificing the tone and atmosphere that critics loved in the original.

Metro: Last Light Is Tense But Accesible

While the more recent Metro Exodus offers more improvements to the formula, Metro: Last Light is a fine starting point that splits the difference between tense atmosphere and accessible gameplay. Besides, the first-person shooter genre of 2021 is a landscape full of endless looter shooters and battle royales, with few offering a story campaign worth diving into. Each Metro focuses on single-player experiences exclusively, and they’re better games for it. Simply put, anyone interested in horror games or story-based shooters will not find a better deal than what Epic Games is currently offering with their free giveaway.

Players have until February 11 at 11 AM EST to pick up the second game in the Metro trilogy for free from the Epic Games Store. While there, players can also grab For The King, a turn-based RPG that borrows from the world of tabletop gaming. If players miss the opportunity, they can remain vigilant, as the current “Redux” versions of both Metro: Last Light and Metro 2033 are often on sale for bargain bin pricing (or even completely free) simply due to their age. However, for anyone new to the franchise, these classics in the making are still very much up to modern standards and well worth some quality time.

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