Going deeper underground...
So,
there was me, all on my lonesome and headed on downtown to get a glimpse of
Metro 2033, the new game from THQ the other night. The event was up at very
nearly the top floor of the towering Centre Point building in London.
We
had an introduction to the game, as well as a talk form the source author
Dmitry Glukhovsky, guiding us through how he came up with the story. Which was
interesting, as Dmitry explained that the Russian Underground is designed to be
one of the largest bunkers in the world – with air-tight doors to seal off
whole sections! It’s easy to imagine how after a nuclear disaster people could
survive in such a massive underground city. What would life be like living in a
cramped space with no sunlight? Ask a tube train driver, they’d know. Each of
the stations in the game is like its own unique little city – with each being run
by different methodologies and ideals. A great premise for game.
The
initial play-through I saw was actually really, really good, as you take a walk
through your city to meet with a man, and start your first mission. The city
itself looks incredible, and there has been incredible amounts of thought put
into what a place like that would look like in reality. It’s cramped, windy,
dirty and claustrophobic. Again, much like London Underground. The sound design
is particularly brilliant, and you catch glimpses of random conversations from the
various inhabitants, each giving you a little insight into what life must be
like to live in such a place. A nice method to give some breadth and depth to
the story.
I
didn’t actually get a chance to have a hands on go, as I had tickets to see
Machine Head that night, and had to bust a gut to fly to Brixton Academy! But Neil
is currently beavering away with the full game and apparently enjoying it
immensely, so stay tuned to the show for the crew’s verdicts and a look at
what’s in store!
Jules
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