REVIEW: Metro Awakening VR (PS VR2)

When it comes to VR gaming, few game franchises are better suited to deliver heart-pounding immersion than the Metro series. Known for its oppressive atmosphere, brutal survival elements, and immersive world, the Metro universe feels like a natural fit for VR, where every shadow can hide danger and every sound can send shivers down your spine.

Metro Awakening VR on PS VR2 brings this experience to life in a way that few other games can, thrusting players into a deeply personal and terrifying journey beneath the ruins of Moscow.

Story

Set a few years before the events of Metro 2033, Metro Awakening VR follows the story of Serdar, a doctor within the metro who faces a horrifying journey to save his wife, Yana. Suffering from psychosis, Yana confesses to Serdar that she has stopped taking her medication and hears the voice of their deceased son calling to her from within the metro. When Yana disappears in search of her son, Serdar’s mission to find her transforms into a battle against both physical and psychological horrors lurking in the tunnels.

The narrative provides a gritty and emotional backdrop that feels both personal and suspenseful. While the story does lean heavily into the supernatural at times, there are connections to the mainline Metro series that fans will appreciate.

Vertigo Games, working closely with Metro creator Dmitry Glukhovsky, crafts a tale that holds its own as a VR experience, though it does falter occasionally. Certain supernatural elements feel underdeveloped, and while the voice acting is solid, particularly for Yana, the story doesn’t always sustain its tension. However, the bleak tone and haunting atmosphere are faithfully captured, giving players a reason to push forward into the darkness.

Gameplay

If immersion is VR’s greatest strength, then Metro Awakening VR harnesses it brilliantly. Vertigo Games has taken the tactile, hands-on mechanics of the Metro series and elevated them to a new level. Every weapon must be reloaded manually, with players handling clips, pulling back slides, and locking ammunition in place.

This attention to detail is particularly effective in tense combat situations, where every second counts and a fumbled reload can be the difference between life and death. While the reloading mechanics add to the experience, there is some occasional VR “jank.” For instance, grabbing the wrong item or struggling with movement during stealth sequences can lead to frustrating moments that detract from the immersion.

Beyond the mutants that lurk in the shadows, the game also pits you against other human factions. These encounters offer a mix of stealth and firefights, with players able to sneak past enemies or dive into combat. However, the AI can be hit or miss; while enemies will react to headlamps and noise, they sometimes lack intelligent behaviour, charging single-file into rooms and making them easy prey.

Despite these inconsistencies, Metro Awakening VR offers a satisfying gameplay loop, with frantic gunplay balanced by quieter, more methodical moments of exploration and resource management.

The game includes a useful range of comfort and accessibility options, catering to both seated and standing players. The ability to customise controls—such as toggling whether weapons stay in hand—adds flexibility, allowing players to personalize their experience.

Additionally, the game includes a unique charger mechanic for essential items like flashlights and trams. Players manually crank a charger to power these items, a small but effective touch that deepens immersion by making every interaction feel grounded.

Visuals

VR gaming often faces limitations in visual fidelity, but Metro Awakening VR is an impressive-looking title on PS VR2, rivalling some of the best VR visuals to date. The environments are dark, dense, and dripping with atmospheric details, from the claustrophobic metro tunnels to the eerie, abandoned rooms above ground.

While some textures can appear slightly blurry up close, the overall effect is one of gritty realism that perfectly matches the game’s bleak narrative. The character models are well-crafted, and lighting effects are effectively used to amplify tension, making every shadow feel like a potential threat.

Unfortunately, Metro Awakening VR does suffer from occasional performance issues. Clipping is a frequent problem, particularly in tight spaces like ventilation shafts, where players might find their view suddenly obstructed by an orange glow if they get too close to a wall.

The game also crashed once during testing, though these issues are minor blemishes on an otherwise visually striking experience. We also hope Vertigo Games look to take the increased performance of the new PS5 Pro console to really make Awakening a showcase title for VR on the PS5 Pro.

Conclusion

Metro Awakening VR is a solid addition to the PS VR2’s library, providing fans with an atmospheric and immersive experience that captures the essence of the Metro series. Vertigo Games brings a level of polish and dedication to the VR platform that few developers achieve, carefully adapting the tactile mechanics and haunting environments of the original games.

While the story doesn’t always land and some gameplay mechanics occasionally stumble, the heart-pounding action and visceral realism of the VR experience make up for these shortcomings.

For those who appreciate high-stakes survival gameplay with a relentless atmosphere, Metro Awakening VR is a must-play. It may not revolutionise VR, but it certainly raises the bar for immersive storytelling and world-building. In a platform with a somewhat limited catalogue of AAA experiences, Metro Awakening VR stands out as a compelling journey into the darkness, and one that PS VR2 owners won’t want to miss.

Metro Awakening VR Pricing & Availability

Metro Awakening is available now on PS VR2, SteamVR, and Meta Quest 2/3/3S & Pro headsets and Viveport for €39.99 for the Standard Edition and €49.99 for the Deluxe Edition.