When Games Matter: Metro 2033 and The Preservation of Art

Last updated on: March 8, 2011 at 4:46 pm by Drew Dixon

When Games Matter: Metro 2033 and The Preservation of Art 2011-03-08T16:46:52-07:00 Drew Dixon

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When Games Matter is a weekly exploration by Drew Dixon of meaningful moments in games. Operating under the assumption that games do in fact matter, Drew seeks to highlight those moments that have much to say to say about who we are and the world we live in.

Metro 2033 didn’t impress everyone, but it provided one of the most memorable game worlds I have ever experienced. The game is based on a book set in postapocalyptic Moscow and nuclear fallout has forced a very small group of survivors to seek shelter in the Metro Tunnels. Trips to the surface are dangerous and consequently seldom made. Unlike other postapocalyptic games, there is very little brevity in the world of Metro 2033 and rightly so–the world is falling to pieces and the few people left continue to kill each other while being attacked by ravenous monsters created by the fallout. Most of the game is made up of treks between small settlements in the tunnels which sometimes require brief trips to the surface–these treks are difficult because of confrontations with warring parties, monsters, and the fact that you are often armed with constantly malfunctioning equipment and low quality ammunition.

Time in the tunnels is so eerie and chaotic that the peaceful moments in various settlements are a welcome if not necessary break from the madness. In each settlement you are free to wonder around for as long as you like–your character never talks but as you explore people will talk to you. They will share bits and pieces of their survival stories, some of which are gripping. There is very little joy in these settlements as the sting of tragedy is still clearly felt and the promise of more is all too real.

The most meaningful moment in the game came in one such settlement when I came upon a small group of people huddled around the fire listening to a man play the guitar. There was nothing particularly special about what he played other than it having a distinctly Russian feel to it. In short, it was nice. What made this moment meaningful was the realization that the survivors were trying to preserve art and culture in a world where there is very little beauty.

We live in a dark world–a brief scan of current events, namely wars in third world countries or own nation’s politics confirms this. We must give a thoughtful eye to these events, but sometimes when we do, we can be overwhelmed by a sense despair. This moment was a welcome reminder that there is beauty in the world worth preserving. The player is free to breeze right past this guitar player, some people may not have even noticed him, but the world of Metro 2033 was so lacking in hope, I elected to stay until he finished playing. It seemed like the right thing to do.

Previous Post

March 8, 2011

On the Other Hand: Huckabee, Portman, and Prophecy Today

Next Post

March 9, 2011 Are We Entitled to Our Entitlement Programs?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Asides Elsewhere Featured Film Games General Culture Headline Literature Music Of the Moment Podcast Politics RetroPost Sports Technology Television Uncategorized Viral

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz