Metro Last Light: Surviving in a Post-Apocalyptic World
Summary
In this article, we talk to the developers of the video game Metro Last Light to learn more about this story-driven, action-adventure, and survival horror shooter. We explore the unique aspects of the game, including the crafted single-player experience, the combination of gameplay spaces and scripted moments, the post-Soviet realism mixed with European mysticism and folklore, and the immersive approach to gameplay that strips away the HUD.
Table of Contents
- Crafting a Single-Player Experience
- Combining Emergent Gameplay and Scripted Moments
- The Unique Post-Apocalyptic World of Metro Last Light
- Immersive Gameplay Without the HUD
Introduction
Metro Last Light is a survival horror shooter that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in which the players must navigate and survive daily challenges such as breathing clean air, finding resources, and avoiding mutants. The game developers at 4A Games have created a single-player experience that combines action-adventure, survival horror, and light RPG elements. In this Q&A article, we delve into the details of the game and explore its unique aspects.
Crafting a Single-Player Experience
Q: How is the gameplay experience in Metro Last Light different from other shooters?
A: For us, crafted means having moment-to-moment variety. We don’t want the game to feel like the player is going through a series of corridors to gun down enemies. To achieve this, we use a combination of emergent gameplay spaces and tightly scripted moments to keep the player engaged and surprised. We want the player to experience something new, unexpected, and extraordinary while going through the game.
Q: Can you give an example of how you create these moments?
A: Sure. In one section of the game, the player must navigate through a dark and cramped underground tunnel filled with supernatural creatures. The player must use their flashlight to illuminate the creatures and avoid their attacks. In another section, the player is in a large and open area where they must use stealth and strategy to avoid an enemy patrol. These moments create diversity in gameplay and make the player feel like they are progressing through a unique experience.
Combining Emergent Gameplay and Scripted Moments
Q: Can you explain the combination of emergent gameplay spaces and scripted moments?
A: Emergent gameplay is when the game mechanics allow for different outcomes and choices based on the player’s actions. In Metro Last Light, the player can choose to engage the enemy directly or use stealth to avoid detection. Scripted moments are pre-determined events that happen in the game, such as cut scenes or specific scripted events.
Q: How do you balance these two aspects of gameplay?
A: It’s a delicate balance. We don’t want to rely too heavily on scripted moments because it can make the game feel linear and predictable. Instead, we use emergent gameplay to give the player more options and more control over their experience. We still use scripted moments in a sparing and impactful way to give the player memorable and cinematic moments.
The Unique Post-Apocalyptic World of Metro Last Light
Q: What sets Metro Last Light apart from other post-apocalyptic games?
A: We’ve created a post-Soviet world that is infused with European mysticism and folklore. Rather than relying on the Western interpretation of post-apocalyptic environments, we’ve created a unique setting that blends realistic elements with supernatural ones. The player will encounter spirits, demons, and psychic phenomena alongside crude handmade weapons and gritty human drama.
Q: Can you explain the approach to weapons in Metro Last Light?
A: We’ve designed the weapons in a way that mimics their real-life counterparts. Many of the weapons show the number of rounds left in the magazine when the player holds it up to their eye. We want the player to have as much information about the game world within the game world itself, so we’ve stripped away the HUD entirely. Once the player is immersed in the game, it’s possible to play through with no crosshair, no HUD, and no distractions.
Immersive Gameplay Without the HUD
Q: How does the immersive approach to gameplay affect the player’s experience?
A: We want the player to feel like they are a part of the game world, not just an observer. By removing the HUD and other external distractions, we’ve created a more immersive experience that allows the player to focus on the story, the setting, and the gameplay mechanics. We’ve created a unique world with its own rules and logic, and we want the player to feel like they are living in that world.
Conclusion
Metro Last Light offers a unique gameplay experience that combines action-adventure, survival horror, and light RPG elements. The game developers at 4A Games have crafted a single-player experience that balances emergent gameplay and scripted moments, creates a unique post-apocalyptic world that blends realistic and supernatural elements, and strips away the HUD to create a more immersive experience. Metro Last Light is more than just a shooter – it’s an immersive journey through a post-apocalyptic world.
