The Nintendo Switch has been home to many ports of gaming's recent past, even games that you may have never believed would have been playable in handheld form like The Witcher 3, Doom (2016), Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, and Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. Now, we have both of the Redux versions of Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light, two tremendous single-player FPSs out now Switch. And having put some time into both, I'm coming away wildly impressed--these are Switch ports done right.

　　You kind of know what you're getting into when it comes to Switch versions of bigger games; lower resolutions, lower framerates, muddier textures, and toned-down effects. Those factors don't necessarily diminish the quality of the game itself though, so long as it's done within reason and the game remains playable. However, these Metro ports exceed what we've come to expect for Switch--they look sharp and run extremely well, all things considered. You can see for yourself in our gameplay footage below.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - Loadout

　　Firearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023How Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Saeko Mukoda Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Seonhee Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Koichi Adachi Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Yu Nanba Character Spotlight Trailer

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter

　　Now Playing: Metro 2033 and Last Light Redux Switch Gameplay

　　Naturally, the compromises are noticeable when playing in docked mode on a full size display, but Metro Redux is truly stunning in handheld mode. It's not just that the condensed screen mitigates the perceivable blemishes of lower graphical fidelity, it's that the graphical compromises are somewhat minimal as not to muddle or obscure overall visual clarity. Even lighting effects and character models, which are imperative to the Metro experience, still shine through.

　　Granted, these Metro games mostly take place in fairly contained areas with tight, dark spaces. But even outside of those instances where big firefights break out or when you have to navigate larger areas on the surface, performance and visuals remain consistent. The limitation in framerate is manageable, too, because Metro 2033 and Last Light maintain a near-constant 30 frames per second on Switch. Although it's not the 60 fps or 144 fps we can get from a proper PC, there haven't been any distracting dips when the action ramps up. And coming from someone who prioritizes PC versions because of framerate and higher refresh rate, that consistent 30 fps is viable for Metro's slower, methodical pace in and out of combat, especially for a handheld experience.

　　Metro's style of slow-paced action and exploration also means that the constraints of the Joy-Con analog sticks are easier to deal with; using a bit of auto-aim and motion controls to fine-tune aiming down sights, playing in handheld mode feels just right. The console's shortcomings have less of an impact on Metro in comparison to other shooters; combat in Metro doesn't necessarily require quick reflexes or pinpoint precision most of the time, hardly hindering my ability to overcome combat scenarios.

　　Metro 2033 and Last Light might be dark most of the time, but they sure looks great on Switch.As for the games themselves, Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light are still absolute achievements as narrative-driven FPSs--some may say Last Light carried the legacy of Half-Life 2 of sorts. Metro takes you through the horrors of surviving in the underground tunnels of a post-apocalyptic Russia where the surface is ravaged by radiation and mutated beasts lurk around every corner. The otherworldly species of the Dark Ones provide a mysterious narrative crux as you learn about them in the midst of conflict between human factions. A great mix of stealth, unforgiving firefights, and tense exploration make up the Metro games. And the resource management of gas mask filters and military-grade bullets (used as either high-damage ammo or currency) keep you on your toes. The best part of Metro's captivating campaigns is the sense of vulnerability it instills through its atmosphere and gameplay systems--and these aspects remain untouched in 2033 and Last Light's Switch ports.

　　Metro 2033 and Last Light were once technical showcases, often used as PC benchmark tools to gauge performance. It's an accomplishment by developer 4A Games to bring both to Switch at this level of quality. In a world where games like The Witcher 3 and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim are playable on Nintendo's handheld console hybrid, the bar for quality Switch ports of big games is pretty high. Metro 2033 and Last Light Redux meet, if not, exceed, those expectations.