Set in a post-apocalyptic version of the former Russian Federation, players must fight mutated hybrid creatures, hostile humans, and cope with the new hazards caused by previous events: a devastating nuclear war. Weapons are hand-made, crafted from scavenged items which puts a strong focus on both scavenging and crafting. The game balances the need for resources without being ‘grindy’ because there is plenty of action in between more mundane chores.

While previous games were mainly linear, in this version there are both linear levels and sandbox environments to work through – there are also changes in weather, time of day and differing environmental conditions depending on what level you’re on. The overall story arc takes place within one calendar year so the player gets to experience the full annual arc.

The basic premise is that while the official story is that Moscow is the only place in the world with survivors, a group called the Spartans come to believe that there might be others elsewhere. Accidentally damaging a jammer that has been blocking Moscow off from outside communication they draw the attention of Hansa who move to block their efforts and eradicate the group for knowing the truth.

In search of the surviving groups of people, whose existence is now confirmed thanks to the broken scanner, the Spartan flee the city on a train named Aurora, heading east to evade capture and make contact.

Artyom’s Explorations

The player takes on the character of Artyom, who is leaving Moscow to travel to the Far East by train with a cadre of companions (the private militia group known as Spartan), most important of whom is Anna, previously seen in the other games and now Artyom’s wife.
The linear parts of the game are limited to the train and tracks, but the areas when the train is stopped and the characters have disembarked become open worlds. Their maps are fairly limited, but the detail infused into each setting is exquisite, giving you plenty to do and explore before you run out of terrain to work through.
There are some poignant sub-stories to work through too, diary entries, recordings or just simply the pathos of an abandoned school or a crashed plane with its skeletal pilot still seated at the controls.

Modes of Play

• Stealth mode: cause distractions to encourage guards to look in a different direction (for example, lobbing a tin can or similar over to a corner) and then sneak up on them and kill them silently so as not to draw his colleagues’ attention.
• Shooter mode: the mode the game type is named for: let your enemies have it and enjoy releasing some real-life tension by blasting away some on-screen villainy!
• Bit of both! Mix it up to make sure that you fulfil your missions and source the cures, antidotes and information you need to progress to the next level.

The way the game ends depends on choices the player makes along the way.