Unraveling the Endings of Metro: Last Light Redux: A Deep Dive

Yes, Metro: Last Light Redux features two distinct endings: the “Redemption” ending (the good ending and considered the canon ending) and the “C’est La Vie” ending (the bad ending). The ending you receive hinges on your actions throughout the game and the accumulation of moral points, a hidden system that tracks your choices and behavior.

The Dichotomy of Choice: Exploring the Endings

Let’s break down each ending and what they entail. It’s important to understand that how you play the game directly influences which outcome you’ll experience. Metro: Last Light Redux isn’t just about shooting mutants; it’s about making moral choices in a desperate world.

“Redemption”: The Light of Hope

The “Redemption” ending, the canon ending in the Metro universe and the one that sets the stage for Metro Exodus, offers a glimmer of hope. In this scenario, Artyom, poised to destroy D6 to prevent its capture by General Korbut and his Red Line forces, is stopped by the Baby Dark One.

The Dark One, having rallied the surviving Dark Ones, uses their collective power to neutralize Korbut’s army, averting the destruction of D6 and the potential enslavement of its inhabitants. This ending highlights Artyom’s growing understanding of the Dark Ones and his belief in their potential to help humanity. It concludes with Artyom recognizing the Baby Dark One as humanity’s “last light of hope.”

“C’est La Vie”: The Bitter End

In stark contrast, the “C’est La Vie” ending paints a grim picture of sacrifice and ultimate failure. If Artyom has accumulated too few moral points throughout the game, he proceeds with the plan to destroy D6, sacrificing himself and the Rangers to prevent the Red Line from seizing control of the powerful military complex.

This ending emphasizes the desperate circumstances of the Metro and the heavy toll of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The destruction of D6 is a devastating blow, leaving the future of the Metro uncertain. It’s a stark reminder that good intentions alone aren’t always enough.

Moral Points: The Hidden Currency of Choice

The moral point system is the key to determining which ending you’ll receive. This system is deliberately opaque, meaning you won’t see a numerical score or progress bar. Instead, the game subtly rewards or punishes you for your actions, adding or subtracting moral points based on your choices.

Actions that contribute to a positive moral point balance include:

• Exploring environments: Discovering hidden areas and secrets often reveals snippets of stories and provides opportunities for positive interactions.
• Listening to conversations: Eavesdropping on dialogues between NPCs can provide valuable insights and opportunities for moral choices.
• Sparing lives: Choosing to spare the lives of surrendering enemies or characters who don’t pose an immediate threat. This applies especially to specific, named characters like Pavel (though the impact of saving him is debated – but it’s generally a positive).
• Helping those in need: Assisting struggling NPCs or intervening to prevent harm.
• Avoiding violence: Completing levels stealthily, without resorting to lethal force.
• Giving to beggars: A small act of charity can have a surprising impact.

Actions that detract from your moral point balance include:

• Killing surrendering enemies: Showing mercy is rewarded, while ruthlessness is punished.
• Stealing: Taking items that don’t belong to you.
• Going loud in stealth sections: Violating the trust of those who are helping you.
• Killing without reason: Aggressive and unnecessary violence will hinder your path to “Redemption”.
• Making selfish choices: Choosing personal gain over the well-being of others.

The absence of a visible moral point tracker encourages players to rely on their own moral compass and immersion in the game world, rather than simply min-maxing their way to the “good” ending.

Achieving Redemption: Tips for the Good Ending

Getting the “Redemption” ending requires a consistent effort to make morally sound choices throughout the game. Here are some specific tips:

• Always explore thoroughly: Don’t rush through levels. Take your time to uncover hidden areas, listen to conversations, and discover opportunities for positive interactions.
• Practice stealth: Minimize unnecessary violence by using stealth to bypass enemies or incapacitate them non-lethally.
• Show mercy: Spare the lives of surrendering enemies and characters who don’t pose an immediate threat. The consequences of killing these surrendering enemies are dire when it comes to achieving the good ending.
• Help those in need: Intervene to assist struggling NPCs or prevent harm whenever possible.
• Make the right choices in key moments: Pay close attention to the choices presented to you in key narrative moments, such as whether to spare or kill certain characters, and weigh the potential consequences.
• Don’t kill the Demon on the dead city rooftop.
• Save the Big Momma from the Nosalises.
• Give to beggars if you can.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many endings are there in Metro: Last Light Redux?

There are two endings: the “Redemption” ending (good/canon) and the “C’est La Vie” ending (bad/non-canon).

2. What is the canon ending of Metro: Last Light Redux?

The “Redemption” ending is considered the canon ending and is referenced in later Metro games and books.

3. How do I get the good ending in Metro: Last Light Redux?

Accumulate moral points by making morally sound choices, exploring, listening to conversations, sparing lives, helping others, and completing levels stealthily.

4. Does killing affect the ending of Metro: Last Light Redux?

Yes, killing surrendering enemies and engaging in unnecessary violence will detract from your moral point balance and make it harder to achieve the “Redemption” ending.

5. Is there a moral system in Metro: Last Light Redux?

Yes, there is a hidden moral point system that tracks your choices and behaviors and influences which ending you receive.

6. What is the significance of the Baby Dark One in the endings?

In the “Redemption” ending, the Baby Dark One plays a crucial role in saving Artyom and the Rangers, highlighting the potential for cooperation between humans and Dark Ones.

7. What happens in the “C’est La Vie” ending?

Artyom destroys D6, sacrificing himself and the Rangers to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Red Line.

8. Is the DLC included in Metro: Last Light Redux?

Yes, Metro: Last Light Redux includes all previously released DLC.

9. What choices affect the moral points in the game?

Choices like sparing or killing enemies, helping or ignoring NPCs, stealing or being honest all affect your moral point balance.

10. Can you save Anna in Metro: Last Light Redux?

Yes, you can save Anna by taking off your mask when Lesnitsky tells you to, before he counts down from five. Also, do not kill any soldiers within the chapter.

11. What is the best gun in Metro: Last Light Redux?

The Ashot is a highly recommended weapon against human enemies.

12. How old is Artyom in Metro: Last Light Redux?

Artyom is 24 years old in Metro: Last Light.

13. What is the impact of the ending of Metro: Last Light?

The ending you achieve sets the stage for the events of Metro Exodus. The Redemption ending shows the little Dark One and his brethren saving Artyom and the Rangers by hypnotizing the Red Army into attacking each other.

14. Can you save the girl in Metro: Last Light Redux?

Yes, you can save the girl. If you kill or knock the two bandits before reaching the dialogue part where the girl is accidentally killed, you will still get the moral point. If you save the girl screaming for help in the beginning of the level, you may be unable to use takedowns on enemies during this level and all levels afterward.

15. Is there a connection between moral choices and game-based learning?

Yes, game-based learning is related to moral choices. The Games Learning Society explores how games can be used to teach valuable lessons and promote critical thinking, including ethical decision-making. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how games can be used for educational purposes.

Understanding the moral point system and the consequences of your actions is crucial for experiencing the full depth and complexity of Metro: Last Light Redux. Choose wisely, and may your choices lead you to the light of hope!