I got both 2033 Redux and Last Light Redux on the GOG Summer Sale earlier this year (they were $5 altogether, so I figured why not). Finally started playing 2033 in earnest for my annual pre-Halloween horror game marathon...and I'm really frustrated and disappointed. The game started off good, but right around the time that you reach Cursed, it all goes to crap. Between the Halo-like waves of enemies you encounter, the sub-par stealth mechanics, and the forced checkpoints which can screw you if you're low on air filters, I've really hit a wall with this game and I'm tired of it. I love the setting, atmosphere, and unique take on a post-apocalyptic world, but the execution in gameplay terms is just bad.

I've heard that Last Light is a better game, but is it worth playing if I'm this frustrated with 2033? Does it fix any of the issues I'm having, or is it mostly the same? Will I be lost in the plot if I haven't finished 2033 (or at least spoiled the story for myself)?

More than anything, the checkpoints & air filters issue got my shorts in a twist with this game, too. But like you I loved the atmosphere found the storyline interesting... I kept with it and played through both games a couple of times, so far. I'll probably do so again, someday.

But... the same problems you describe will persist in Last Light. I would also claim the storyline is better in the first game, although others might disagree. If you do decide to jump ahead and try Last Light, it would make most sense to read up on the plot first... you'll feel more attached to the story. But it'd be a real shame not to follow it through the first game, if there's any way you can make it work. I assume you've toyed with the difficulty levels?

That would be the next step, but from what I've read, the difficulty doesn't affect the air filters, which is the biggest issue I'm having right now (I'm stuck in the Outpost level, and there just aren't enough air filters to be found). Plus, I'd have to start the game over, and I'm really not interested in doing that right now.

Maybe I'll come back to it later and change the difficulty, see if it makes a difference.

I've seen conflicting information about the filter times - some sources said that choosing Survival over Spartan resulted in more filter time (but less ammo), but I'm not sure I believe that. I always played survival, in any event.

The only things I can suggest are backing up a level - not just restarting the last game checkpoint, but restarting a previous level if necessary to save up more air - and of course the ridiculous, annoying, but effective exploit of running around without your gas mask, just putting it on for an instant when Artyom nears death. This doesn't work if you're already out of filters, but can stretch one filter out over a whole level if you really try.

But that's really irritating, and immersion-breaking. If only one could buy filters from all those merchants who claim to sell them - I would have spent every bullet on those, and gladly.