Metro Redux, the enhanced re-release of Metro 2033 and sequel Metro: Last Light are now just a week away, and the first reviews have been published online. We’ve rounded up a sampling of these to help you decide whether these versions are the best ones to play.

Both Metro games are first-person shooters, with Metro 2033 having been released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in 2010. Last Light, on the other hand, was first released just last year, causing some fans to wonder why these updated versions weren’t being released for free. Developer 4A Games explained earlier this month that a great of development effort had gone into these re-releases, adding that it hopes fans “understand that our goal was to reward, not exploit, existing owners while still making a viable business model that allowed this Redux project to go ahead on PC as well as console.”

Redux improves 2033 and Last Light’s visuals, as you can see in this graphics comparison. The gameplay in both games has also been refined, with 2033’s stealth system now working more like that of Last Light, which players of the original version can tell you is good news.

A selection of reviews follows below. For more, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Game: Metro Redux (Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light)
• Developer: 4A Games
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
• Release Date: August 26
• Price: $49.99 ($24.99 each on PC)

GameSpot — 8/10

“[T]his compilation is about a place. It’s a place where you can hear the laughter of children long since dead, and the screams of aircraft passengers moments before their incineration. It’s a place where you must fear both the hideous mutants that prowl as well as humankind–and yet it’s only with humankind that you might find safety. It’s that ebb and flow, that movement in and out of danger, and the panic you feel when danger finds you even when you think you should be most at peace, that makes Metro Redux such an excellent tour through the best and worst of a society in ruins.” [Full review]

GamesRadar — 4.5/5

“Indeed, subtlety is what makes Metro 2033 and Last Light such exceptionally immersive games. They nail the core tenets of a shooter, then force you to react to enemies in ways outside of simply taking cover. They plop you in a post-apocalyptic world, then fill it with tons of minor but substantial details, like the shadows of once-living people now permanently nuked into stone walls. They strip you of hope, only to dangle a tiny sliver of it ahead of you like a carrot on a stick. And once the credits roll, long after you’ve lost track of body counts and the volume of set-piece explosions, it’s the subtle things–like the mother explaining to her child that people used to live in houses instead of cement tunnels–that will stick with you the most.” [Full review]

Official Xbox Magazine — 9/10

“A comprehensive rebuttal of the notion that next-gen remakes are only created for publishers to make a quick buck, this is a superbly polished update to two great games. Smart design tweaks and excellent visual advancements mean that life in the metro has seemed more attractive.” [Full review]

CVG — 8/10

“Redux doesn’t stop at visual improvements. The people and creatures that inhabit Metro 2033’s dark tunnels and stations now benefit from improved AI routines and better animations (though, it has to be said, Last Light’s animations remain superior). This means the on/off stealth that plagued the first game–where everyone would instantly know where you were the second someone noticed you–has been replaced with Last Light’s more granular system wherein you can find cover again should you be spotted, and even silence the person who saw you if you’re quick enough. It’s a much better fit for 2033’s stealth-heavy, survival-focused campaign and improves the game immeasurably.” [Full review]

Gaming Nexus — 9.5/10

“Metro Redux is the perfect entry point for series newcomers as it combines two of the best shooters in recent times in a remastered collection. In addition, series fans are in for a huge treat with the remastered Metro 2033 and Last Light games for replaying their favorite moments with improved gameplay and visuals. Metro Redux is far more than a high definition update, it’s a truly remastered and definitive experience.” [Full review]

Hardcore Gamer — 4/5

“If you already own Metro 2033 and Last Light, Metro Redux is a hard sell. The improvements, while admirable, don’t make enough of a difference to be worth another $50 purchase. These are still the same creepy, atmospheric games from the past, just with some polish on the scratches. But if you haven’t played either of the Metro games, Metro Redux is the version to get.” [Full review]