Does It Matter If I Play the Metro Games in Order? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, it generally matters if you play the Metro games in order, particularly for the best understanding of the overarching narrative, character development, and world-building. While each game – Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, and Metro Exodus – offers a self-contained storyline, they build upon each other, creating a richer and more rewarding experience when played sequentially. Jumping into a later title without prior knowledge can leave you feeling lost regarding key relationships, past events, and the nuances of the post-apocalyptic Moscow Metro.
Why Playing in Order Enhances the Experience
Playing the Metro games in the intended order allows for a gradual immersion into the world, its lore, and its characters. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Narrative Cohesion: The story of Artyom, the protagonist, unfolds across all three games. His personal journey, the evolution of his understanding of the Dark Ones, and his role within the Spartan Order are all best appreciated when witnessed chronologically. Metro: Last Light directly follows the events of Metro 2033, and Metro Exodus picks up after the “Redemption” ending of Last Light, continuing Artyom’s narrative and the fallout from his previous choices. Starting with Exodus, for instance, will spoil major plot points from the previous games and diminish their impact.
- Character Development: Recurring characters like Anna, Miller, and Khan undergo significant development across the series. Understanding their backstories and relationships with Artyom enhances your emotional investment and provides context for their actions and motivations in later games. Seeing these relationships evolve across the games, with the struggles, losses, and triumphs, adds a layer of depth that’s lost when skipping entries.
- World-Building and Lore: Each game expands upon the Metro universe, revealing more about the different factions, mutated creatures, and the remnants of pre-war society. Starting with Metro 2033 allows you to learn about the world alongside Artyom, gradually discovering its secrets and dangers. Later games assume a certain level of familiarity with the setting, and skipping ahead might leave you confused about the Metro’s history, the various stations’ ideologies, and the nature of the supernatural phenomena.
- Gameplay Progression: While the core gameplay mechanics remain consistent, each game introduces new features and refinements. Playing in order allows you to gradually adapt to these changes and appreciate the evolution of the gameplay experience. Starting with Exodus, with its open-world elements and crafting system, might make the more linear and resource-scarce gameplay of Metro 2033 feel less appealing.
Potential Drawbacks of Skipping Games
While you can technically play the Metro games out of order, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:
- Spoilers: As mentioned earlier, starting with a later game will inevitably expose you to spoilers from previous entries, diminishing the surprise and emotional impact of key plot points.
- Lack of Context: Without understanding the events of previous games, you might struggle to grasp the motivations of certain characters or the significance of specific locations.
- Reduced Immersion: The Metro series is known for its immersive atmosphere and engaging storytelling. Skipping games can disrupt this immersion and leave you feeling disconnected from the world and its inhabitants.
- Difficulty Understanding Factions: Each Metro station and outside territory holds different groups of people, beliefs, and resources. The games do not overly explain these factions in each iteration, assuming that the players have played the previous installment, therefore lacking the understanding to play efficiently and comprehend the story completely.
Are There Exceptions?
While playing in order is highly recommended, there might be a few exceptions:
- Replayability: If you’ve already played the series once and are simply looking to revisit a specific game, playing out of order might not be a major issue.
- Gameplay Preferences: If you’re primarily interested in the open-world exploration of Metro Exodus and less concerned with the narrative, you might choose to start with that game. However, be aware that you’ll be missing out on a significant amount of backstory and character development.
H3: Choosing the Right Entry Point
If you’re new to the series, the best starting point is undoubtedly Metro 2033. This will provide you with the foundational knowledge and context needed to fully appreciate the subsequent games. If you’re hesitant to start with the oldest title due to its age, consider playing the Metro 2033 Redux version, which features improved graphics and gameplay.
H3: Metro Redux: A Great Starting Point
The Metro Redux versions of Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light are remasters that improve visuals and gameplay, making them an excellent way to experience the first two games. They are often bundled together and offer a definitive experience for new players. Consider buying Metro Saga Bundle.
H3: Understanding the Metro Universe
The Metro games are based on the novels by Dmitry Glukhovsky. Reading the books can provide even deeper insight into the world, characters, and lore, although it is not required to enjoy the games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it okay to skip Metro 2033 and start with Last Light?
While possible, it’s not recommended. Last Light directly follows 2033’s story and assumes you know the characters and events. You’ll miss crucial context and potentially spoil the ending of the first game.
2. Can I play Metro Exodus without playing the previous games?
You can, but you’ll be missing a significant amount of background information and character development. The game provides a brief recap, but it’s not a substitute for experiencing the first two games.
3. What is the “canon” ending of Metro: Last Light that leads into Exodus?
The “Redemption” ending is considered the canon ending. In this ending, Artyom chooses to spare the Dark One. This decision has a direct impact on the events of Metro Exodus.
4. Do the Metro Redux versions change the story significantly?
No, the Redux versions primarily focus on improving the graphics and gameplay while retaining the original story.
5. Are the Metro books necessary to understand the games?
No, the games are self-contained stories, but the books offer additional depth and context for those interested in the lore.
6. Which Metro game is considered the best?
This is subjective, but many consider Metro Exodus to be the best due to its open-world elements, improved gameplay, and compelling story. However, others prefer the tighter, more claustrophobic atmosphere of the earlier games.
7. Are there any plans for a Metro 4?
While there’s no official announcement, 4A Games has hinted at the possibility of a future Metro title.
8. How long does it take to beat each Metro game?
Metro 2033 takes approximately 10-12 hours, Metro: Last Light around 12-15 hours, and Metro Exodus can take 25-30 hours, depending on your playstyle and difficulty setting.
9. What difficulty should I play the Metro games on?
For a first playthrough, “Normal” difficulty is recommended. However, if you’re a fan of challenging survival games, you might consider “Ranger Hardcore” for a more immersive and realistic experience.
10. Are the Metro games scary?
Yes, the Metro games can be quite scary, especially in the dark and claustrophobic environments. They rely on atmosphere, tension, and jump scares to create a sense of dread.
11. What platforms are the Metro games available on?
The Metro games are available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.
12. What are the different factions in the Metro universe?
Some of the major factions include the Hanza (traders), the Red Line (communists), the Reich (Nazis), and the Spartans (peacekeepers).
13. Are the Dark Ones enemies or something else?
The nature of the Dark Ones is a central theme of the Metro series. Artyom’s understanding of them evolves throughout the games, challenging the player’s perceptions.
14. Are there multiple endings in the Metro games?
Metro: Last Light has two endings, determined by your actions throughout the game. Metro 2033 has two endings in the original version, and the Redux version simplifies it into one ending. Metro Exodus has more subtle variations depending on companion survival.
15. Should I buy the DLC for Metro Exodus?
Yes, the DLC expansions for Metro Exodus (The Two Colonels and Sam’s Story) are highly recommended. They offer new stories, characters, and environments that expand upon the Metro universe.
In conclusion, while it’s possible to play the Metro games out of order, playing them in sequence is strongly recommended to fully appreciate the narrative, character development, and world-building that make the series so compelling. Starting with Metro 2033 or the Metro 2033 Redux is the best way to immerse yourself in this post-apocalyptic world and experience Artyom’s journey from beginning to end.