Moreover, the changes are so important that it would be better to speak of a parallel version than an update. Metro Exodus and Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition are indeed two completely separate programs, which should be downloaded separately. We will see that the form has evolved significantly, but nothing has changed in substance. The adventure is strictly the same as before, and our 2019 test is therefore at your disposal if you want a reminder of the latest adventures of Artyom and his gang. Note that owners of the first version of the game have absolutely nothing to pay to get the second, which will automatically appear in their favorite launcher. On the other hand, pecists may have to open their wallet to update their hardware configuration. The entry ticket is extremely high, since Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition is the first game to require a ray tracing compatible graphics card. In other words, you will need at least a GeForce RTX 2060 or a Radeon RX 6700 XT to enjoy the sublimated version of Artyom's adventures. This is explained by the total integration of ray tracing in the game engine, and the abandonment of old technologies (pre-calculated lights, ambient occlusion...), which previously simulated effects which are now calculated in real time. .
Concretely, the scenes benefit from much more realistic lighting, where the slightest light source (torch, light bulb, candle, etc.) bounces "infinitely" off the various objects in the environment. In the 2019 version of Metro Exodus, even when activating ray tracing, only the first bounce of each ray was taken into account. In 2021, we are therefore entitled to brighter scenes (when they should be) and more contrasting. Shadows are more believable and dynamic. Ray tracing is so precise that the hue of the light rays varies according to the objects on which they are reflected. This effect may be subtle, but it results in an ever more convincing image. Naturally, ray-traced reflections are also included. No exaggerated mirror effect here, we are especially entitled to metallic objects which regularly catch the light and to aquatic surfaces which correctly reflect the landscapes.
RAY TRACING BUT NOT ONLY
If ray tracing is undoubtedly the star of this Enhanced Edition, other improvements also answer the call. Thus, the game now benefits from 4K textures, while the options accommodate a slider to modify the field of vision. Metro Exodus also becomes compatible with VRS (Variable Rate Shading) technology, which consists of lowering the quality of certain areas of the image that are not very important, in order to gain slightly in performance. However, players who want to improve the fluidity in a really noticeable way are better off turning to DLSS. Let us quickly recall that this technology makes it possible to calculate the image in a lower resolution before upscaling it in the desired final resolution. Version 1.0 of 2019 gives way here to a much more successful version 2.1, which sometimes saves several tens of images per second while maintaining high image quality. This proprietary technology belonging to Nvidia, it is unfortunately not possible to enjoy it with a Radeon card. Logically, this effect will also be absent from the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions, since both consoles have an AMD graphics processor. These two machines will also have to ignore ray tracing reflections, but will retain all the other improvements, including the various ray tracing effects dedicated to lighting. However, be warned: you will unfortunately have to wait until June 18 to be able to enjoy Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition in your living room.
