METRO AWAKENING VR REVIEW: NOT QUITE ALYX, BUT MORE THAN JUST MUTANT WHACK-A-MOLE
Let's get the elephant in the nuclear bunker out of the way: No, this isn't Half-Life: Alyx. But comparing every VR game to Alyx is like comparing every burger joint to that one amazing place you had in Tokyo – it's just setting yourself up for disappointment. Metro Awakening is its own beast, and while it might not be a revolution, it's definitely more than just another VR shooting gallery.
ATMOSPHERE THICKER THAN RADIATION FOG
First off, the atmosphere hits harder than a mutant's love tap. The Metro series has always nailed the whole "post-apocalyptic Russian underground" vibe, and experiencing it in VR is like getting a front-row seat to the end of the world. The voice acting is top-shelf vodka quality, and the music? Chef's kiss It's like someone took the original Metro soundtrack and gave it steroids.
GUNS, RATS, AND ROCK 'N' ROLL
The gunplay feels meaty enough to satisfy your inner wasteland warrior. The AK hits like it means business, and watching mutant rats try to flank you while their buddies call for backup is genuinely impressive AI work – at least by VR standards. It's not going to win any AI Turing tests, but it's smarter than your average VR bullet sponge.
THE QUEST-SIZED ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Now for the less rosy stuff. This game was clearly built with the Quest in mind, and it shows like a bright flashlight in dark tunnels. Some textures look like they were borrowed from Metro 2033 – the original, not even Redux. And while the game can look decent on PC, it's obvious we're not getting the full potential of what a pure PCVR Metro game could be.
LINEARITY: THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW
The game's about as linear as a Moscow metro line, which isn't necessarily bad – the original Metro games weren't exactly open world either. But in VR, where exploration is half the fun, it feels more restricting than a tight gas mask filter.
IMMERSION BREAKS AND FEATURE CREAKS
The interaction system is more limited than post-apocalyptic food rations. You can't open most drawers, and many objects are basically just fancy wall decorations. It's not a deal-breaker, but after games like Alyx, it feels like a step back into the early days of VR.
CONCLUSION
Metro Awakening is like that underground bar that isn't the fanciest in town but still serves a damn good drink. It's got its share of jank and limitations, but the core experience – the atmosphere, the story, the gunplay – is solid enough to make it worth your time, especially if you're a Metro fan or just hungry for a proper VR shooter that isn't about zombie-wave survival.
Score: 7.5/10 - Not quite a nuclear blast, but definitely more than just radioactive fallout.