After being picked up by Deep Silver and given an additional couple months to work on the game, Metro: Last Light is finally here.  Are you ready to enter the Metro again?

Full impressions after the jump…

Last Light picks up the story from the Ranger/Dark ending of Metro 2033 and I won’t go into details of that in case you may be sensitive to spoilers.  Players are back in the shoes of protagonist Artyom as life continues to turn deep in the Russian metro system.  For those that are not aware, the surface has been devastated by a nuclear attack and the fragment of humanity that has survived as taken refuge in the metro system.  Factions have sprung up and it appears that war is on the horizon in addition to the constant threat of the mutations and monsters that lurk just outside.

The thing I absolutely love about this game is the world that 4A has created.  It’s wonderfully detailed, brimming with activity and the immersion levels are just off the charts.  Yes, it’s a dark and gloomy place humanity has been thrust into, but with the ambient sounds, side conversations between NPCs, and the way people behave (especially in hub towns), the world really feels alive.  There have been times I sat down only intending to play for an hour but sure enough, looking at the clock after playing for what felt like minutes, hours have flown by.  The game does a fantastic job pulling you into it’s world and never letting you go.  It’s quite easy to get lost in.

The same can be said for the atmosphere as well.  Countless times, I’ve felt uneasy or tense upon entering certain areas of the metro.  The catacombs in particular create a sense of terror with dark corners, skittering noises, and cobwebs.  Couple that with the already heavily damaged metro stations and architecture and there’s just nothing quite like it on the market.  Not only that, like the first game, you’re responsible for maintaining the filter on your gas mask when using it, charging your flashlight and night vision goggles.  Forget to do that and you’ll be in trouble.  These elements again lend to creating an incredibly strong immersion factor.

Metro: Last Light is a game that finds joy in toying with your fears as well.  Gamers who have real fears of darkness, tight places, or even spiders…well…the game will prey upon you.  It’ll thrust you into uncomfortable situations forcing you to confront those fears.  Being someone who isn’t really a fan of spiders, there were certain levels that just made the hair on my arms stand up until it was over.  It was terrible and a thrill at the same time.

The good news here is that so far, the stealth and shooting mechanics have been improved tenfold.  Your watch has a light/dark meter, fully letting the player know when they’re visible or out of sight in darkness.  It’s a simple system but one that works wonders.  Enemies act normally so stealth killing one person will no longer alert the entire room unless you’re careless.  The stealth system is so improved that the game practically begs you to go stealth offering many different paths to clear a room and also providing tools to the player to remain undetected.  NPCs do react to odd behavior as well, so taking a guy out in the middle of a speech or interacting with another NPC will raise suspicions.

In case stealth isn’t for you, you’re more than welcome to go in guns blazing.  No penalties for doing so either.  There seem to be a set base of guns from shotguns to SMGs to rifles.  To make them feel different, guns can be customized and you’ll tend to find different combinations from dead bodies, shops, or guards you took out.  For what it’s worth, bullets seem to be everywhere, so I never felt the strain of low resources, which I kind of expected.  Perhaps on Ranger Mode or the hard difficulty setting, resources are more scarce.

Originally I thought, the experience would be more open, being able to backtrack and explore areas at will.  Unfortunately this isn’t the case as the game is broken up into chapters and is a more linear experience.  Overall though, I don’t view that as a detriment because I find the gameplay engaging and fun.  The good news is you can return to completed chapters through menus so it’s not a huge deal.

One thing that I wish was handled a bit better is how the game doesn’t give you much direction to go in.  Yes, the game is fairly linear, but certain levels are open enough that it’s quite easy to get lost or go around in a complete circle.  I’m thinking that they didn’t add in a hand holding element like a navigation arrow in fear that it would break that strong sense of immersion I spoke about earlier.  They may well be correct on that, but certain levels can be tricky to navigate as you’re just not quite sure where to go.

I’ve seen a few glitches and oddities as well, but nothing anywhere near game breaking.  I’m seeing mostly cosmetic things like enemies getting stuck in geometry or falling through parts of the map a little.  For example, on the surface, I saw a watchman fall halfway through a plane’s wing.  He seemed to be stuck in the running animation and completely unable to move.  I should also say, I don’t see these things quite often and so far it’s been fairly issue free which is great.

So far, I’m really enjoying my time with Metro: Last Light.  It’s a unique shooter that relies heavily on atmosphere to get it’s message across.  The story is also pretty engaging at this point so I’m hoping that keeps up right to the end.

Scorpion and the gang will be finally hitting the PC as Netherrealm Studios and Warner Brothers revealed yesterday that the “Komplete Edition” of the bloody fighter, Mortal Kombat, will finally be available this summer.  Digital purchases will start up on July 3 but if you’re someone who wants to hold the box in their hands, you’ll be waiting a month later on August 6.

The Komplete Edition features the full retail game, all four DLC characters (Kenshi, Rain, Skarlet, and Freddie Kruger), old school fatalities and every piece of downloadable alternative costumes like classic Reptile/Scorpion/Sub Zero.

Interestingly enough, it’s not Neatherrealm that’s handling the port.  High Voltage Studios, you know the group behind The Conduit and the critically panned Star Wars Kinect game, has been tapped to handle things on the PC side.  I know, it may sound dire, but it’s just a port so it should be fine…right?

In case you were wondering, a bunch of trailers were shown off yesterday and I’ll have them all for you conveniently in this week’s Saturday Video Round Up.  So make sure you check back.

With E3 just a mere few short weeks away, they did hold back a bit but for now, lets dive in to what they did show off.

The Hardware
Here’s the meat of the console and at first glance, it’s very similar to what Sony is packing in the PS4.  Here are the details for you tech gurus out there:

-8 Core CPU custom built by Microsoft
-D3D 11.1 graphic processor chip with 32 MB embedded memory
-8GB DDR3 Memory
-500 GB HDD
-USB 3.0
-HDMI input and output, 1080p and 4K support, Optical output
-Ethernet, three different 802.11n radios (for connecting to controller and other devices), WiFi Direct 

Console Features
So what makes this stand out?

First and foremost, a new “Snap” feature will let players run apps simultaneously letting players multitask to their heart’s delight.

The multitasking element also extends to a very cool input switching functionality allowing players to switch from a game their playing to a TV show, to a movie they may be watching.  The switching was pretty much instant.  According to reports, the new console has three operating systems, one handling games, one handling apps/entertainment, and the third which manages the resources between the other two.

Cloud functionality will be a major focus as player content will be saved up there also allowing a PVR type experience allowing players to record, edit, and share content.

Xbox One will also be able to switch over to live TV and provide users with a guide.  The event also detailed the ability to switch channels by just saying the channel name or show name.

The controller went through a minor redesign to include a true cross shaped d-pad, integrated battery and new impulse triggers.

Another interesting feature and one that Sony did highlight is the ability to play games during mandatory installs.  Now, there’s no waiting required.  Another feature is that the Xbox One will allow you to suspend a game instantly and pick up right where you left off.

Your gamercard and achievements do transfer over with you and in a much requested move, the friend list cap has been increased to 1000 people.  As expected, the console is not backwards compatible with both Xbox/Xbox 360 retail and XBLA games.  Movies and other digital products will be available however.

Kinect 2.0
Based on the demo and presentation, I get the impression that this version of Kinect is what Microsoft was originally intending the device to be.  First and foremost, the Kinect sensor has an enhanced sense of depth and a greater field of view meaning you won’t have to perform “the furniture shuffle” to make room every time you want to use the device.  Better yet, the new Kinect will come packaged with the new system out of the box mainly because the device is required.  The sensor has switched to infrared so you can use it in the dark.  No more bright lights needed.

Finally, the sensor can also now read your balance, see transfer of weight, measure heartbeat during exercise, and has an array of microphones which will be able to better understand your voice including picking it out in a crowded room.

Announced Games:
Forza Motorsport 5
Quantum Break
Watch_Dogs (Announced after the fact)
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Announced after the fact)
Call of Duty: Ghosts
FIFA 14
EA’s UFC Game (Not titled yet?)
Madden 14
Destiny (Announced after the fact)
NBA Live 14
Battlefield 4 (Announced after the fact)

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
When Blood Dragon promised to embrace the 80s style, it went all out.  That includes the deliciously amazing soundtrack which sounds ripped from your favorite cheese ball sci-fi movies from the 80s.  It sounds so authentic that you may even start to wonder if you’ve heard these before from various movies like RoboCop, Predator, or The Terminator.  Ubisoft tapped power metal band Powerglove to score the game which is a good fit considering they’re experts at paying tribute to classic game themes.  Frankly, they knocked it out of the park.  Powerglove also really committed to the theme giving the listener just the right amount of synth effects, power guitar, and electronic drum beats.  A great example of this can be heard in “Power Core” as you’re getting a healthy dose of percussion mixed with 80s action.  The theme is also a standout track carrying a smooth 80′s synth through out as it escalates towards the end.  It’s completely catchy and something that you’d expect to find an any 80s sci-fi movie.

Recommended Tracks:
Resurrection
Power Core
Blood Dragon Theme
Sloan’s Assault

BattleBlock Theater
The long-awaited next game from developer The Behemoth as usual features some really great, memorable and catchy music to go along with the quirky and addictive gameplay.  As typical with their games, the soundtrack is comprised by user-generated tracks found over on Newgrounds by the community there.  Makes sense when you consider Behemoth co-founder Tom Fulp created Newgrounds.  The levels seem to cycle through a number of tracks and each one is just as addictive as the last.  The music has a very cool video game feel to them while remaining upbeat to the action that’s taking place on the screen.  If you want a dose of crazy, then look no further with Secret Area.  Featuring the schizophrenic vocals of Michael Stamper, this is one wild and addictive track.

Recommended Tracks:
Level Music #4
Panic Version by Catani
Menu Theme
Wicked Mummy Remix by Catani
Secret Area

Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine
What’s better than a soundtrack created using just an old ragtime piano?  Nothing that’s what.  Not only is this soundtrack incredibly unique, it’s also done by Austin Wintory who you may remember from his great work on Journey.  With only a piano to work with, you’d think that would restrict the amount of music that would be able to be made.  Not so, as Wintory manages to create a diverse, fun, and compelling 18+ song soundtrack by switching tempos and tone.  I’d imagine it was equally as challenging as it was fun to work on.  It really fits the whole heist theme that the game is going for making the player really feel like a sneaky rogue trying to avoid guards and get out with the loot.

Recommended Tracks:
Why recommend only a few tracks when you can listen to the whole thing here?

Sega and Nintendo Partner Up Again
It’s still funny to see these former heated rivals now joining forces.  The latest partnership has created a new Sonic title called Sonic Lost World.  Little information was given about the title outside of “3D action adventure” and one promotional shot of Sonic and Tails flying towards a planet made up of hex tiles.  In case you were wondering, the two companies are also bringing Mario & Sonic: Winter Games back to the WiiU with the ”2014″ edition.

New Super Luigi U Hits Retail
In case you’re someone who doesn’t have New Super Mario Bros U, Nintendo is making it easy to grab the expansion pack featuring Luigi.  While gamers can still nab this as DLC if you own New Super Mario Bros U, a standalone retail version of New Super Luigi U will be arriving at stores later this summer.  The DLC will sell for $20 while the retail copy will ring in a bit more at $30.  Here’s the pretty cool box art:

Zelda ‘Oracle’ Games Coming To eShop and Discounted
The original Gameboy Color Legend of Zelda titles (Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages) will be making their return in the eShop on May 30.  Make sure you pick them up the first three weeks however as they’ll be on sale for $4.99.  After that point, the price goes back up to $5.99.  I guess when you look at it, not a huge deal there, but a dollar is a dollar, right?

Pikmin 3 Details and New Main Characters
In its first jump into the WiiU, gamers will step into the intergalactic boots of three new heroes: Alph, Charlie, and Brittany.  Players will only be exploring during the daylight hours and in an interesting change for the series, you’re no longer restricted to a set number of in-game days.  Not only that, the game will have a level select option, won’t make you restart from the beginning if you botch a level and the GamePad will provide an easy way to switch between pikmin and leaders while showing the map as well.

Release Dates!
The Wonderful 101, the brawler from Platinum Games is set to launch in September, while Pikmin 3 has been locked into August 4.

E3 Coming To You! Probably…
In an interesting twist, Nintendo has partnered up with Best Buy to setup kiosks to over 100 stores in the US and Canada which will allow people to play titles demoed for the WiiU at E3.  It’s almost as good as being at the actual show….okay, maybe not, but this is still a cool thing to do.  An official list of locations and games on display should be revealed soon.

The company’s story is an interesting one and is detailed at length on the Journal website for Remember Me.  It’s very interactive and before you know it, you’ll be sucked into that world.  The story itself it very touching and yes, some of you may even get a little emotional.  For those of you that need an extra incentive, you may also unlock some rewards.  Just sayin’.

To go along with the journal is a very inspiring and powerful video featuring the words of Antoine Cartier-Wells being spoken over some just wonderful imagery.  The video was edited together by Devin Graham with music by Stephen Anderson coming together to make a very memorable video.  Even without any ties to Remember Me, the video is definitely still worth a watch.  Here’s your inspirational video of the day.

It’s a double dose of Assassin’s Creed this week as Ubisoft Montreal released two new videos for the upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag.  The first goes over some of the more infamous pirates during that era, giving you a good look at who you’ll be crossing swords with.  The second is more gamplay oriented, showing off some naval and land battles.  It’s safe to say that the game already looks fantastic.  To the surprise of…well me I guess, Sony has announced a new entry into the very popular car franchise, Gran Turismo which will be hitting stores this holiday season.  Considering how long it took for GT5 to actually release, I’m pretty surprised at how quickly this one came together.  I guess there’s still enough time for that to change though right?  Curious to hear more about how Diablo III will function on consoles?  I have the latest “Conversations with Creators” video below dealing all about everyone’s favorite loot dropping demon.

I’ve also got new videos for Fuse, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, Rayman Legends, and so much more after the break, so come check out this week’s batch of trailers!

The full list of videos await you after the jump…

Yesterday, EA announced a new free to play fantasy MOBA title called Dawngate from a new developer called Waygate Studios.  The page doesn’t give much information on the title outside a block of text which promises to introduce a whole new way to experience MOBA gameplay.  It also makes it seem like players will be able to customize or create characters around roles they’d like to play.  If you have an Origin account, you’re also able to register for a beta sometime this year as well.

For those that don’t know, MOBA’s (Multiplayer online battle arena) are a team based game where players control a single character through a real time strategy style interface.  Working as a team, players try to destroy the other teams structures until they take their base while being assisted by NPC characters periodically.  This genre was made popular first by custom games like Defense of the Ancients and Aeon of Strife created through map editors of Warcraft III and even StarCraft.

We still are not 100% sure who Waygate is exactly but speculation points to this developer being an off shoot of Visceral and their “free to play” group.  So far there’s no information on the studio.  Since we’re now just a few short weeks from E3, my guess is that the big reveal will be coming then.

So what do you think?  Is this MOBA crazy kicked off by League of Legends and DOTA 2 getting a bit out of hand, or is there room for another?

Yesterday, Electronic Arts revealed via GamesBeat that it won’t be continuing its Online Pass policy in future titles.  For those of you who have not had experience with this practice, the Online Pass was originally meant to be included with their sports titles, but soon was included in non-sports titles like Battlefield 3.  This was EA’s way to gain money off used game sales as new games would come packaged with a one-time use code which “unlocked” new features or online components.  Without it, the user would not be able to use those features without spending $10 to buy a new code.  It’s been well documented that this practice was not well received by gamers.

So why the surprising move?  From what was mentioned, apparently this move was done based on feedback the company had received.  First launched in 2010, it’s never been wildly popular so I’m not sure why they’re just now seeing the feedback.  Perhaps this move was done to curb the recent struggles the company has experienced to paint them in a better light?  Could this be the result of former CEO John Riccitiello no longer being with the company?  For you conspiracy theorists out there, maybe this move confirms the rumored online component coming with Microsoft’s next generation console, which would make the online pass redundant.  Chew on that for a while, as we’ll be getting answers on the rumored “Xbox Infinity” next Tuesday.  Time will tell.

Dubbed “Frostbite Go”, the first mention of this mobile engine was posted very recently on Frostbite’s official website.  There appears to be a dedicated team working exclusively on mobile platforms aiming to bring “true Frostbite experiences to all major mobile platforms.”  Frankly, I associate Frostbite with ultra realistic graphics and while some mobile devices are pretty powerful, I’m wondering how a mobile Frostbite powered game will look.

It’s an exciting time to be a fan of this powerful engine as Frostbite 3 is on its way first with Battlefield 4 and then heading to other top franchises like Dragon Age and pretty much every other next-gen offering from EA.  This also extends to the deal that was recently struck between Disney and EA to bring the Frostbite Engine on board to power future Star Wars games.

Anyway you look at it, fans of realism and destruction have a lot to look forward to with Frostbite starting to creep to all platforms.  I am curious to see how this engine will work on mobile devices and here’s hoping that we’ll get a glimpse at E3.