Metro 2033 is a game I really enjoyed. It was a very atmospheric and tense experience playing as Artyom in post apocalyptic Moscow. I played the game on Normal difficulty but there was also a Ranger Mode I was tempted to try. Ranger Mode removes the HUD, gives you less ammo and supplies and makes encounters with enemies more deadly. Essentially a much harder difficulty.
In 2033 this mode was included. However now it is a pre order bonus for Metro: Last Light. A difficulty setting which removes items from the game is now an extra.
I understand publishers have pre-order DLC nowadays as an incentive or part of a publishing deal, usually in the form of an exclusive gun or something else to give a certain edge. Metro Last Light has these with the exclusive weapon of the Russian ASKU and 100 military round grades. Both of these give an advantage in game. As far as I can tell the pre-order bonus was met. Removing a mode and then selling at an extra charge is ludicrous.
Personally I was really looking forward to Last Light but I just can’t support such a DLC move. Bonus missions and bonus guns, fine, as long as they don’t form a key part of the story. But to remove a difficulty setting and then charge for it? That has to be a new low when it comes to pre-orders and DLC.
Source: Metro Last Light Official Site
cc_star
People who buy into it validate the business model, and they’ll end up with exactly what they deserve.
This YouTube vid brought it to my attention over the weekend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYSCjGbv3YY
People need to learn they have publishers by the balls, not the other way around.
Vote with your wallets, else reap what you sow.