Sure, of course we would like a new Metro. But at least a VR spin-off is on the way and there is now some promising information about it along with new screenshots.
The Metro series is far from over, even if a new part will probably be a while away. At least Metro Awakening VR is a VR title for Meta Quest 2 and 3, Steam VR and PSVR 2 that is currently being developed by Vertigo Games.
According to a new entry in the Playstation-Blog you can look forward to an intense story written by novelist Dmitry Glukhovsky. “For us, it was almost as if we expected him to come and come up with a different story for the game, one that would be reminiscent of the other Metro games. But instead, he came up with a very personal, emotional story for a new character. […] This also meant that our focus in this game shifted from a straightforward approach to a more story-driven approach,” explains Creative Director Martin de Ronde. The story in question revolves around the new main character Dr. Serdar, who is looking for his wife in the tunnels of the Moscow metro in 2028.
The developers want to ensure that all the important elements from the series are included, but are also implemented in a way that is suitable for a VR experience. Stealth and combat in particular are to play a role, but the fights are a little calmer: “In Metro Awakening, our protagonist is not necessarily a combat expert. That’s why it’s better that the combat and narrative pace is a little slower than in the original Metro series.”
What you definitely have to be prepared for is the typical shortage of ammunition. So searching for bullets is part of everyday life in the VR version too, and the developers also want to use environmental storytelling to stimulate your imagination. “If you look everywhere, you’ll probably have enough bullets to survive your combat encounters. If you only search on the critical path, you’ll probably have to be a better shot. And if you don’t loot at all, you’ll have a hard time,” say the developers.
Many typical elements are included in the game via motion control. The mask hangs on your backpack, so you grab your backpack, pick up the mask and put it on your face. Cleaning the mask is also implemented appropriately. To check how much ammunition you have in the magazine, you have to take it out of the weapon.
Vertigo Games is working with the full support of original developer 4A Games, who have provided the studio with countless assets from the main games so that the look and feel of the series can be retained. However, with adjustments, since Awakening takes place five years before the first Metro game.