I had a whole lot of love for Metro Exodus when it originally released back in 2019. Don’t believe me? Check out my review (link here) where I said that “it might take the series in a slightly new direction, but Metro Exodus still manages to retain the high quality that made the original games so beloved by first-person shooting fans.” That’s high praise, right there.

Naturally then, I was more than happy to play through the adventure all over again with its release on the PlayStation 5. Souped-up visuals and performance in a game that already managed to look stunning? You can count me in. I’m happy to report that the game is just as fun to play now as it was then too, with the gripping adventure still offering plenty of thrills during Artyom’s most recent (and perhaps most perilous) journey.

It is worth noting that this review won’t cover the ins-and-outs of the gameplay or the narrative though. It’s something I’ve already covered in my aforementioned review, so you can check that out if you want to learn more about how good the game feels to play. Instead, I’m going to focus on the improvements that the PlayStation 5 version brings and how the game takes advantage of some of the console-specific features.

Check out a gallery of screenshots for the game down below:

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The most obvious improvement that has been made to Metro Exodus on the PlayStation 5 is the presentation. I already praised the visuals a lot in my original review, but this time around they’re even better – you can thank the 4K resolution, improved lighting and ambient effects, and the ray tracing for that. I know ray tracing has been a bit of a buzz word this generation, but its use in Metro Exodus’ environments is nothing short of astounding. It adds more beauty to the game’s more picturesque scenes (who said a Russian wasteland couldn’t be pretty?), whilst it also adds ambiance to the game’s more confined locales where the smallest flickers of light bring each area to life.

Basically, it looks absolutely stunning, whilst the 4K resolution ensures that everything remains sharp throughout too. Metro Exodus features more open environments than the previous entries in the series, but you’ll be able to make out even the smallest of details in the distance thanks to how clean everything looks. And don’t get me started on the weather and ambient effects, which are oozing in style and add to the desolate atmosphere.

“I know ray tracing has been a bit of a buzz word this generation, but its use in Metro Exodus’ environments is nothing short of astounding.”

It’s crazy to think that Metro Exodus is a two-year old game, because it feels like it really belongs on the modern consoles. It’s just a thing of beauty and easily stands out as one of the most jaw-dropping titles available on the PlayStation 5 so far. It also runs at a silky smooth 60fps, which just makes everything look sublime in motion. Bravo, 4A Games, you nailed it.

One feature that can’t be understated is the implementation of DualSense functionality, with the haptic feedback and triggers adding a weightier sense of immersion to Artyom’s weaponry. One of my issues with the original game was that the weapons lacked punch, but feeling the buzz and hit of every shot certainly helped. Of course, it didn’t alleviate the issue from a gameplay perspective, but it helped. Players will also feel the impact of the environment, with different terrains bringing with them different levels of vibrations to match Artyom’s footsteps. It’s a minor detail, but it helps absorb the player even further into the hazardous world.

I’ve also got to give a shout out to the PlayStation 5’s Activity Cards. Metro Exodus features more open environments than before, with plenty of little side areas to explore if feeling a bit more adventurous. The Activity Cards help players keep track of these by listing the landmarks they can explore, ensuring nothing is missed during your playthrough. Again, it’s a small detail, but it helps ensure that completionists get to see everything that the game has to offer without resorting to a walkthrough. Need a helping hand finding your way through? They give assistance there too, with 4A Games taking full advantage of everything that the PlayStation 5 has to offer.

9/10

Summary

Metro Exodus on the PlayStation 5 is more than a simple upgrade, but instead takes advantage of everything the console has to offer. Excellent visuals and performance? Check. Immersive DualSense functionality? Check. Activity Card features to keep track of everything in each area? Check. It really has it all (and I haven’t even touched upon the improved loading times).

Whilst the gameplay remains the same (and still has some of the same flaws in places), the new innovations and improvements brought with the PlayStation 5 version of Metro Exodus really take things to the next level. Whether you have played through the adventure before or this is your first time exploring this desolate and broken world, the PlayStation 5 offers the best way to experience it.

Developer: 4A Games
Publisher: Deep Silver
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Check out the official website through this link.