Metro Exodus is set to get a fresh update for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. 4A Games is looking to take advantage of the new console hardware to breathe some new life into the third entry of the Metro series with a set of upgrades. The enhanced editions were announced in November 2020, with some more details coming to light in recent weeks. The new version of the game could see a lot of fans jumping back into the latest Metro on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC for numerous reasons. While there hasn't been a release date set by 4A Games, there are plenty of reasons for fans to be excited by this news.
Metro Exodus was well received when it was originally released and it sold well, but the launch wasn't without controversy. The game launched on PC but as an Epic Games Store exclusive, leading to Metro Exodus being subject to review bombing by some fans who were displeased with the exclusivity deal. The game still went on to sell well and have several additions of downloadable content made. There is a new Metro game in development that includes multiplayer, and with the new enhanced editions of Exodus, 4A Games is making sure it's being kept busy.
Ray Tracing and PC Exclusive Upgrades
In February of this year, 4A Games and publisher Deep Silver revealed the updates that players can expect. Some of the major upgrades bring the console versions closer to PC level performance, while some improvements will only be available on PC. In the statement from 4A Games and Deep Silver, one of the focal points was the addition of ray tracing to the new PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of Exodus, which will see better lighting and reflections in the console versions.
The PC version of the title already had this feature available since its original release, but ray tracing is going to be improved for the platform as well. Among the list of enhancements is "advanced ray traced reflections," which may be somewhat vague, but suggests that the PC versions of the updated game will be receiving even better lighting and reflections.
In addition to ray tracing improvements, PC players will be able to check out the new iteration of Nvidia's AI deep learning super sampling, more commonly known as DLSS. DLSS 2.0 is exclusive to GeForce RTX 20 and 30 GPUs and could see some major performance and visual upgrades for players who use them. DLSS technology allows low-resolution visuals to be upscaled to higher resolutions without hindering frame rates. Nvidia claims that the new version of the technology is even better and allows for settings like ray tracing to be maximized without impacting frame rates. Exodus's support of the feature could mean significant improvements, with Fortnite and Unreal Engine 4 set to reap the benefits of it as well.
Console Version Updates and More
The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions are set to receive some serious updates. Both versions will run at 60 FPS at 4K resolution which should greatly improve performance, enhance the visual aspect, and make the whole experience smoother. The PS5 edition is going to receive support for its haptic functionality on the DualSense controller, which could mean a more immersive gaming experience for those on Sony's latest console. The Xbox Series X will also get its own exclusive benefits in the form of improved controller latency and support for spatial audio. The console releases are going to benefit from much-improved loading times as well, thanks to Sony and Microsoft adopting SSD storage for their new consoles.
Some additional upgrades will include the ability for players to adjust their field of vision (FOV), meaning that gamers will able to adjust how much of the game world is seen through the first-person perspective. Perhaps one of the most exciting updates for Metro fans is that the enhanced version of the game will come at no extra cost to those who already own Exodus, which could give many players a good excuse to return to Metro Exodus later this year when the enhancements are released. Console and PC players alike will be able to benefit from this extensive, free update. 4A Games is also going to be launching Exodus on Mac and Linux, starting with Apple's App Store, Steam, and the Epic Game Store in March 2021.
This is an exciting time for a lot of Metro fans with these free updates, in addition to the new multiplayer-focused Metro game that's in development. The enhanced versions of the title are expected to be launched in 2021, but there has been no official release date confirmed, other than the Mac launch of the game in March. With this big update coming, Metro fans are sure to be keeping an eye out for official release dates from 4A Games and Deep Silver.
Metro Exodus is available now on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia. PS5, Xbox Series X, Mac, and Linux versions are currently in development.
