I beat 2033 a few years ago and am currently replaying it, and I beat Last Light a couple of days ago on Ranger mode (not Ranger Hardcore, I need some kind of UI for use prompts and QTE's). 2033 was such a fantastic, refreshing experience and it was one off the first really immersive FPSs I'd played since Half Life 2. But it sure as hell had some rough edges. The stealth and reliance on throwing knives, coupled with AI where every enemy instantly knew where you were the second you messed up made the sneaking a pain. And the stupid stupid section near the end where you have to slowly follow the guy and protect him while being attacked by all the bubbles soundly trounces and monster closet or boss fight in Last Light in terms of frustration.
Last Light certainly made a few concessions in the name of accessibility, and was overall a much easier game, but I think it kept the soul of Metro and a lot of the same heart, while improving the pacing, set pieces, stealth, and even the story. I know it may sound silly, because 2033 is based on an actual book and Last Light's plot was fabricated, but I thought the sequel told a decidedly better tale than the former. Last Light felt like a much more personal drama for Artyom compared to 2033's rather apersonal mystery of "The fuck is up with the Dark Ones?" In Last Light, for me, the betrayals hit harder, the stakes felt higher, and the victories big and small felt much more meaningful. I got what I suppose you could call the "bad ending" but even that was pretty satisfying to me. Seeing Artyom redeem himself and save so many before the end made me feel some genuine emotions I wasn't expecting.
Last Light just felt like it had a bit more personality and character depth as well. Pavel, the Child, Kahn, and even Anna all seemed more fully realized than anyone in the first game. I was pissed when Pavel betrayed me, but still found myself sympathizing with him a bit in the final encounter.
And thee stealth was so much more fully-realized in LL. Takedowns, easier-to-acquire silenced weapons, and actual degrees of suspicion and detection made stealth a more legitimate option. Not to mention most big rooms featured some sort of alternate path for those looking for one.
All in all, I gotta say Last Light felt a lot better for me, but I'd imagine there are those that prefer 2033. What do y'all think?
Last Light certainly made a few concessions in the name of accessibility, and was overall a much easier game, but I think it kept the soul of Metro and a lot of the same heart, while improving the pacing, set pieces, stealth, and even the story. I know it may sound silly, because 2033 is based on an actual book and Last Light's plot was fabricated, but I thought the sequel told a decidedly better tale than the former. Last Light felt like a much more personal drama for Artyom compared to 2033's rather apersonal mystery of "The fuck is up with the Dark Ones?" In Last Light, for me, the betrayals hit harder, the stakes felt higher, and the victories big and small felt much more meaningful. I got what I suppose you could call the "bad ending" but even that was pretty satisfying to me. Seeing Artyom redeem himself and save so many before the end made me feel some genuine emotions I wasn't expecting.
Last Light just felt like it had a bit more personality and character depth as well. Pavel, the Child, Kahn, and even Anna all seemed more fully realized than anyone in the first game. I was pissed when Pavel betrayed me, but still found myself sympathizing with him a bit in the final encounter.
And thee stealth was so much more fully-realized in LL. Takedowns, easier-to-acquire silenced weapons, and actual degrees of suspicion and detection made stealth a more legitimate option. Not to mention most big rooms featured some sort of alternate path for those looking for one.
All in all, I gotta say Last Light felt a lot better for me, but I'd imagine there are those that prefer 2033. What do y'all think?
).. but I enjoyed even the shooting Gallery, the AI Arena, the Metro Museum, the mission for the Red Line sniper.. 
