Metro: Exodus’ reveal kicked off a rather impressive showing for Microsoft during E3 2017, but it has stayed relatively quiet ever since. That has all changed thanks to Game Informer, as Exodus is the magazine’s latest cover story, and by all accounts, it looks as though the series is attempting to catapult from cult following to mainstream success.
New details that have come out about the game appear to lend credence to Metro: Exodus’ quest for a larger audience, headlined by a much larger game world. Exodus won’t feature an open-world per se; more like interconnected sandbox environments that players are free to explore as they take on the game’s linear quest structure. Each stage is about two square kilometers and represents a different season of the year.
As previously mentioned, Metro: Exodus has a linear quest structure, but it is dictated by your hub, a train called the Aurora. The Aurora is central to the journey as players will travel across the continent across a full year, and once they leave a stage, they will be unable to return. However, there is freedom contained within these stages, which will include vehicles to help players navigate quickly.
Metro: Exodus has also done away with its bullet economy, which previously forced players to spend bullets to buy items. In its place are scavenging and crafting mechanics, which end up feeling more natural in the larger overworld environment. Players will be to use parts of the weapons they find to upgrade the ones they already have.
An example that was given was that if you happen upon a gun that doesn’t deal much damage, but has a nice scope attached to it, you can pop off the scope and place it on the weapon you’re already using. It’s a great way of making players feel like they are using and re-using the elements of the world around them to their advantage.
Non-lethal takedowns have also been added to the game, so hardcore players looking for a for an added challenge can see how far they can get without killing anyone.
Metro: Exodus does not currently have a release date, but is expected to launch sometime later this year for PC, Xbox One, and PS4.
