When I first entered the world of “Metro 2033,” I had no idea what to expect.

The game is a fantastic display of visuals and sounds mixed in a world that is incredibly believable. I actually cared about the citizens and people I helped in my time in the Metro. Because the above-ground world was charred with a nuclear explosion and is covered in mutated beings, civilization — and a lively one, at that — moved underground, which is where the player’s story starts.

The atmosphere is astonishing here. Music, ambient noise, footsteps, pebble drops, running water, blowing wind; it’s all so detailed. Honestly, I haven’t experienced sound design like this since “Skyrim” or “Battlefield.” It just sounds so… alive. It really can’t be explained; it needs to be experienced.

Combat is the least of this game’s qualities; its first-person-shooter action is nothing new. Gameplay is story-driven and linear, but it works well.

The visuals here are simply amazing. I had the time of my life exploring everything this game could do. This game is beautifully dark and very demonic in its tones and delivers itself incredibly well.

After beating this game (and whoa, did the end make me lose my mind — the whole game could be scary, but the last scene really makes you question some things), I cannot wait another minute for “Metro: Last Light.” This game has shown me what the series can do, and it had me hooked from beginning to end.

“Metro 2033” gets a 4.5/5