How does Stalker 2 compare with Metro Exodus?

[Replica-2501]

I'm curious about the different strengths and weaknesses of the two when it comes to things like gunplay, ambience, map/level design and so on.

[DTSlayer]

Atmosphere is the about the same. STALKER is open-world and loot based.

Both have their merits. I think the Metro series (before Exodus) had much better overall atmosphere, but I enjoyed STALKER more due to the open world and loot stuff.

If you like Metro, but specifically for the atmosphere and story and you're not really fond of open world and/or loot games then you may not like STALKER. However, if you wanted something like Metro, but with an open world then STALKER is it.

[Frosty]

Metro exodus has a series of maps, to switch maps you need to achieve story goals, ai wise i would give exodus extra credit, not saying the ai in stalker 2 is bad though.
Stalker 2 has one huge map and you as player can choose to ignore the entire story quest line, anomalies are a interesting part of stalker, while exodus has some minor anomaly points it feels less impact full.

[TatigaliaGamer]

Stalker has more rpg mechanics not as much as fallout series, i would call light rpg, you need sleep, eat and drink, weapons have different ammo types some better against mutants and other are against human like armor piercing, you have different armor witch rookies wear, intermediate stalkers and veterans these armors havie different stats, some better for fights and some better for hazard's, map is seamless open world and always can come back, you have different factions whom fights other factions and world changes over time, one time in vilage you might find bandits and other might be mutants, story changes based on main and side quest whom make different ending.

[Warmen]

Metro games are more linear and story driven not open world setting despite the fact Metro Exodus introduced more freedom, still not like open-world looter. Graphics wise, I hate to say ,but Metro last light not even last installment looked just as good ,if not better than Stalker 2 which is quite interesting. I would say performance out of the box/on release was also better in Metro games. Personally, I have not played Stalker 2 enough yet to form a conclusion, I may just end up liking both games for what it has to offer ,because they are not identical given the above explanation.

[Neonwarrior]

I would say that the scale of development is obviously completely different. Metro Exodus had the funding of Deep Silver, while the current STALKER 2 devs are self-published. It is obvious that STALKER 2's production budget was monumentally smaller than Exodus', which is understandable considering the situation with the company having to disband and re-form specifically to make this game.

[Wobblyshrimp]

Originally posted by Replica-2501:

I'm curious about the different strengths and weaknesses of the two when it comes to things like gunplay, ambience, map/level design and so on.

Exodus is more polished. There's no question about it. Stalker is going to come with some jank, it always has. Gunplay feels better in Stalker IMO. You have to actually think and outsmart your enemies, especially if youre up against multiple human enemies. You have to plan how you want to engage more so than Exodus. Exodus has great atmosphere, but IMO Stalker is the king of immersing you in a nuclear wasteland. It is extremely effective at making you feel like you are really fighting to survive in a hell on earth.

Also Metro games, even Exodus with its few open maps, are way more linear and story driven than Stalker. In Stalker you can just sort of wander around and make your own emergent stories if you so choose. There is a main story line to follow, but also tons of side quests and you can just explore the huge map and interact with the world however you wish.

[Major_Tom]

I played through the metro series before starting stalker 2. Metro is buckets more immersive than this game. In metro, the story is much more developed as they have the books to reference. I felt Artyoms journey, I have lived and seen it through his eyes. In shadow of Chernobyl I was the marked one, finding my way through the zone with twists, turns, and revelations. I'm getting none of this with Skif in Stalker 2 yet. Maybe it gets better but all it's really doing is making me want to play the older games.

[McDeath]

honestly i disliked metro stalker was i can do what ever i want in a way so to speak

[Maze]

Same atmosphere and feel. Nice comparison now that I think about it.

[Decali]

I miss Metro Last Light. Still an incredibly memorable game years later, and I'm a bit disappointed with Stalker2 in comparison. Also, you can't beat the guns in Metro Last Light.

[Sharkitect]

Metro Exodus has good storytelling, runs significantly better, and has decent enough exploration in the few open world chapters it has.
Stalker 2 has mid story telling and runs poorly, but has excellent exploration.

Both games have kinda ♥♥♥♥ AI, but apparently Stalker 2's AI being ♥♥♥♥ is the result of a bug they're planning to fix.

[specteX]

Metro exodus looks better runs better and it has Anna your wife.

[Dr.Abscondus]

Metro Exodus is on rails, literally. No replay value. Each area exists only for you to do something which enables you to proceed to the next area only to repeat the process. Boring.

[LeftPaw]

I'll copy and paste this reply.
Metro Exodus = Interactive B-movie
Stalker 2 = A game.

[Mike]

I like Metro (played all 3) but they just don't hold a candle to the atmosphere, world building, and exploration of the Stalker games, which makes sense because 2 of the 3 games were linear and the last one was kind of open but still linear. Also they offer no where near the replayability as the Stalker games

Even with all of its bugs and issues this is exactly what I imagined a new modern stalker game playing as and I'm loving every minute of it. I could easily see myself doing mutiple playthroughs of this to main new weapons explore new areas, make new choices,..etc, but with Metro Exodus it was good but it was a one and done type of experience for me.