Former Metro studio’s new cyberpunk shooter La Quimera has a rough landing in early access

Sci-fi FPS La Quimera is the debut game from Reburn, a new iteration of Metro co-developers 4A Games Ukraine. La Quimera has been released in early access, a surprise move due to resource constraints, technical challenges, and living in a warzone. The initial plan was for a complete game release, but adjustments had to be made, leading to the early access launch.

Having played the first of the four missions available in the early access build, the game feels somewhat unfinished. The issue seems to be more with the concept rather than the execution. Compared to the developer’s previous works set in post-apocalyptic Moscow tunnels, La Quimera falls short in terms of excitement as a shooter.

The game is set in a futuristic version of Latin America, blending elements of Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Cyberpunk 2077, and Horizon: Zero Dawn. Players take on the role of a PMC trooper on a rescue mission that quickly spirals into larger technofeudal events, leading to cybernetic enhancements.

The introduction of cybernetic enhancements brings new abilities and upgrades, enhancing gameplay. However, the gunplay in La Quimera feels slow-paced compared to the intense action of Metro. The game features two types of weapons: red for human enemies and blue for drones, each heavily designed but lacking the depth of Metro’s arsenal.

The game world and story are somewhat lacking in depth, with a setting that feels stereotypical and dialogue that is overly reliant on swearing. Despite this, the game showcases detailed architecture and geography, limited by the linear gameplay restricting exploration.

On Normal difficulty, La Quimera doesn’t pose a significant challenge, with manual health replenishment and frequent checkpoints. The game also offers co-op gameplay, allowing players to team up for missions.

La Quimera will be in early access for up to 18 months, with planned improvements including deeper integration of narrative and gameplay, expanded NPC involvement, and enhanced level design. While the game has potential, it may be worth waiting for further development before making a purchase.

– Deeper integration between narrative and gameplay in both solo and co-op modes.

– Expanded NPC involvement in story-driven gameplay situations.

– Improved pacing and balance between narrative sequences and gameplay encounters.

– Enhanced level design for combat, ensuring challenges remain engaging for both solo and cooperative players.

– A larger number of levels that complete the game’s major story arcs.

For now, La Quimera shows promise but falls short of expectations. It may evolve into a more engaging shooter with future updates. In the meantime, returning to Metro 2033 might provide a more satisfying gameplay experience.