Beginner Tips for Metro Awakening

Metro Awakening is the latest game in the Metro series and the first to take place in VR. Combining the tense and immersive stealth combat that long-time fans of the franchise will be used to, Metro Awakening tells the story of an entirely new character, set five years prior to the events of Metro 2033. As a result, it is a standalone prequel and can be played on its own as a self-contained narrative.

For players who are newer to VR games in general, it can be difficult to get to grips with how to best optimize the experience, and for those who are new to the Metro series, it can help to know roughly what to expect along the way. The game does provide plenty of instructions and tutorials during the opening missions, but other things remain for the player to discover on their own.

7 Take Your Time

Immersing Yourself In The Game World Is What VR Is All About

Although Metro Awakening is not an especially long game, it is still a rich one and enables players to get immersed in the world of Metro in ways that have never been possible before. Taking the time to explore environments and admire the details within each area is well worth it, especially for fans of the previous Metro games and novels.

There are several interactive items throughout the game such as books, guitars and beer bottles, but there are also a total of 33 collectible postcards to look out for to unlock a special achievement. It doesn’t hurt to keep a slow pace through combat sections, too, where possible, since stealth and surprise can be effective weapons in their own right.

6 Adjust Your Settings

Customize The Experience To Ensure A Comfortable Playthrough

One great feature of Metro Awakening is its wide variety of settings options, which cater to a range of needs when it comes to VR. Whether you prefer to play standing or seated, prefer blink teleportation travel or continuous movement, there are many settings for players to adjust in order to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

It may require some experimentation to refine the optimal settings for your personal preference, but doing so will make the game considerably more enjoyable. There’s already enough in the tunnels to disturb us, giving yourself motion sickness on top of that is just unnecessary.

5 Don’t Panic

For Every Threat There Is A Solution, Usually Involving Bullets

Throughout Metro Awakening, players will encounter their fair share of frightening enemies, and the game even provides an arachnophobia warning for those with an intense fear of giant mutated spiders latching onto their face in VR.

When facing any of the enemies in Metro Awakening, panic is the true killer. If possible, maintain your composure and remind yourself that it is just a game after all. Stay calm, aim and fire precise shots into enemy weak points – or run, calmly.

4 Take Regular Breaks

Real World Safety Is More Important Than Anything In-Game

It goes without saying that VR games can be a dizzying and even nauseating experience for some, and with a game as immersive as Metro Awakening it can be easy to lose track of time. Thankfully, the game is broken down into chapters which can be tackled one at a time, but the game does also feature regular autosaves, so don’t be afraid to take a break if you need it.

In addition to regular breaks, it can also help to ensure that you’re staying cool and hydrated as it can quickly get hot having a game of this fidelity processed within the headset. For newer players in particular, rest assured that the VR experience can take some getting used to, but it is worth it to persist.

3 Aim Precisely

If It’s Hostile, You Kill It

When facing off against the many predators which lurk both above and below the surface in Metro Awakening, it pays to be accurate. Headshots are not always the most effective way of taking down enemies, and each will have their own specific weak points to aim for.

If targeted, it will be noticeably easier and more efficient to take down enemies when compared with uncontrolled fire. Even with a high ammo output, it can be difficult to take down some of the game’s creatures, such as the mutated Nosalises, without aiming for their weak designated spots.

2 Keep Your Light Charged

Being Thrown Into Pitch Blackness Is Not Ideal

Light is just as important of a resource in the world of Metro as gas mask filters and med kits can be. Over time, the battery of the primitive electrical light will drain, causing it to flicker for increasingly longer periods before cutting out altogether.

This is obviously not ideal when traipsing down the lightless metro tunnels, surrounded by supernatural enemies. Charging the light required players to rotate a lever, and it helps to do this in dark sections whenever there is a moment of respite from combat. The light can also be turned off when it is not needed in order to save its battery.

1 Collect Everything You Can

It Will Probably Come In Useful Later

Resources are relatively finite in the world of Metro Awakening for understandable reasons. As a result, players should always be on the lookout for any weapons, filters, ammo or medkits they can find. Most of these items can be found on tables or in lockers and boxes throughout the game, or on the bodies of fallen enemies.

As previously mentioned, there are also collectible postcards and interactive items throughout the game including postcards and drinkable beer. Aside from this, the relatively linear experience won’t provide too many opportunities for exploration, so grabbing anything in sight is a smart idea before moving forward.