Masterpieces out of The Ruins: Top 5 Metro: Exodus Alternative Games

Metro: Exodus has indeed revolutionized the post-apocalyptic gaming genre with its immersive gameplay, captivating storyline, and the meticulously-crafted universe. Yet, several games still share the same ethos of creating a splendidly dark and gritty world after a world-ending event. Here, we will present you with five alternatives to Metro: Exodus, each with its unique path for survival in the aftermath of obliteration.

1. STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl

STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl brings you within the exclusion zone of Chornobyl. This game got inspiration from Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1979 film “Stalker,” and the Strugatsky brothers’ novel “Roadside Picnic,” so its richness in its enigmatic world-building is undeniable.

Gameplay:

The game offers a first-person perspective with open-world gameplay that promotes exploration. There's an evident heavy focus on improving your gear, trading goods, and dealing with the adversities of this radiation-filled environment. Unpredictable anomalies and monstrous creatures serve as the primary threat, but human enemies also dot the gameplay, some even equipped with psychic abilities.

Story & Setting:

Set in an eerie and dystopian future consequent of the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear meltdown, you control the protagonist called "The Marked One," who undertakes terrifying journeys across contaminated landscapes to complete deadly yet rewarding missions. The pursuit of the game is geared towards reaching the center of the most hazardous area - the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, feeding the player an intriguing slew of mysterious and ominous stories.

2. Fallout 4

Developed by Bethesda Game Studios, "Fallout 4" sets a standard in the world of post-apocalyptic video games with its compelling storytelling and adaptable gameplay mechanics.

Gameplay:

This action RPG offers you the chance to explore an extensive open world teeming with opportunities for looting, crafting, building settlements, and fighting a variety of nefarious enemies, from mutated creatures to hostile robots. The unique VATS combat system adds a tasteful blend of real-time action and strategic decision-making, maximizing the charm of the combat mechanics.

Story & Setting:

In Fallout 4, the nuclear war has turned the vibrant city of Boston into a wasteland you traverse as the "Sole Survivor," with a mission to find your child kidnapped from Vault 111, where you were cryogenically frozen. The narrative is packed with impactful choices, allowing your decisions to heartily shape the game's end and the fate of the Commonwealth in the year 2287.

3. The Last of Us Part II

For those who crave an emotionally resounding storyline and stealth-based gameplay in a post-apocalyptic setting, The Last of Us Part II developed by Naughty Dog will quench your thirst.

Gameplay:

The Last of Us Part II offers a balance of third-person combat, exploration, and stealth. You must smartly utilize your environment to sneak around enemies, both human and infected while using an array of weapons and crafting items to kill or incapacitate your foes.

Story & Setting:

Following the trail of the first game, this narrative sequel whirls around Ellie's pursuit of vengeance in a world left in ruins by a devastating fungal infection. Each location, brimming with decay and remnants of once-thriving communities, tells its own tale. The gripping tale of love, loss, and vengeance makes The Last of Us Part II an experience like no other.

4. Mad Max

Mad Max, developed by Avalanche Studios, casts you in the boots of the titular character fighting for survival in a desolate, outback wasteland where resources are scarce and danger is at every turn.

Gameplay:

The core of Mad Max’s gameplay is vehicular combat. You need to build and upgrade your car, the Magnum Opus, for arduous battles against savage marauders. You also get the chance to fight on foot using melee weapons and firearms. Exploration here is rewarding since it helps you to find ammunition, weapons, and car upgrades.

Story & Setting:

In this post-apocalyptic open-world game, Max embarks on a quest for his stolen car, the Interceptor, facing marauder gangs and their leaders along the way. The world is fragmented into territories, each run by a powerful warlord. The harsh environments, the decrepit remnants of civilization, and the intense vehicular combat render a unique, immersive experience.

5. Days Gone

Days Gone, developed by Bend Studio, provides a unique twist to the post-apocalyptic genre by introducing the Freakers, which are infected humans that have adapted to the harsh realities of the apocalypse.

Gameplay:

The game combines third-person shooter mechanics with open-world roaming and an emphasis on strategy. Players will utilize different types of firearms, melee weapons, and traps to fend off hostile humans and Freakers. The game also features a dynamic weather system and a day-night cycle which affect the behaviors of enemies, stimulating a more proactive approach to combat.

Story & Setting:

In Days Gone, you step into the worn-out biker boots of Deacon St. John, a bounty hunter scraping out a living in a world devastated by a global pandemic. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the volcanic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, presenting a touching tale of survival and loss. The combination of post-apocalyptic desolation and nature's reclamation of the land provides a stark and compelling setting.

Bottom Line

While Metro: Exodus sets new benchmarks for post-apocalyptic video games, these five alternatives possess unique qualities and strengths that make them equally captivating. From the eerie ruins of Chornobyl in STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl to the survival tale amid Freakers in Days Gone, each game offers a different take on a world on the brink of collapse. So pick the one that speaks best to your gaming style, and lose yourself in their immersive and gritty post-apocalyptic narratives.