Metro 2033 Redux VR v0.1.0-test.4 — performance preview

This test release integrates the performance work from community contributor @dubrovskiy-yevhen-stakelogic in pull request #2, with additional regression fixes based on controlled headset testing.

What changed

• Significantly reduced CPU and GPU frame time in the tested scene.
• Added safe stereo batching/folding, shader and hot-path caching, and removed several synchronous GPU readbacks.
• Retained the VR-safe CPU screen-occlusion bypass after the original PR behavior caused repeatable world-object pop-in.
• Disabled broad depth/G-buffer folding by default after extended testing exposed right-eye-only surface flicker. Safe performance paths remain enabled.
• Includes corrections for floor/bloom reflections, lamp flares, light-culling coverage, and the chapter-select television picture.
• Fixed the opening weapon-customization vendor leaving the VR camera in its vendor-owned state. Head and thumbstick turning now return normally, while selecting either equipped weapon still uses Metro's intended close-up view.
• Fixed the loading screen disappearing in cinema mode when monitor-independent high-resolution rendering is active.
• Clarified in the Advanced VR menu that weapon offsets are saved per gun.
• Removed development-only performance diagnostics; the concise compatibility report remains available for support.

Local performance comparison

Using the same save and location at Medium quality on a Quest 3 through Virtual Desktop, SteamVR at 72 Hz and 2880x3060 per eye, with an RTX 5070 Ti and Ryzen 7 7800X3D:

• Public Test 3: 50.4 effective FPS, no pop-in.
• Exact original PR2 build: 65.8 effective FPS, but repeatable object pop-in.
• Final built-in culling policy: 64.04 average / 71 median FPS, with no pop-in observed in the regression location.
• A later 4.5-minute multi-level validation averaged 67.70 FPS and showed neither right-eye flicker nor renewed pop-in.

These results describe one system and are not a guarantee of the same improvement on every headset, GPU, level, or runtime.

Compatibility

• Steam version only. The Epic Games Store executable is rejected by the installer because it is not currently compatible.
• The final build was validated on NVIDIA with Quest 3, Virtual Desktop, and SteamVR.
• AMD GPUs, additional headsets, Steam Link, wired configurations, and more levels still need broader community coverage.
• This remains a test release; keep Test 3 available as a rollback.

Installation

1. Download Metro2033ReduxVR-v0.1.0-test.4.zip.
2. Extract it, run Install.cmd, and select the Steam Metro 2033 Redux folder containing metro.exe.
3. Start SteamVR before launching Metro.

ZIP SHA-256: 07035CE9741165582505548B071431C479058E36DAC02056CA185B8A7488530E

The installer configures Medium quality, Very High tessellation, VSync off, SSAA off, and 16x texture filtering. Headset render resolution and the mod's VR resolution scale remain separate controls.

Reporting problems

Please include GPU and driver, CPU, headset and connection/runtime, SteamVR refresh rate and per-eye resolution, mod resolution scale, level/save location, exact reproduction steps, and vr_compatibility_log.txt. Include fpsVR or equivalent frame-time information for performance reports.

Known deferred limitations include collision-aware roomscale body following, the shooting-range-only aim offset, an isolated decal-flicker location, and bottom-of-view disappearance for some sewer water. Physical HMD translation currently moves the rendered viewpoint but not Metro's collision capsule.

Thanks to everyone testing, and especially to the PR author for the substantial performance work.

Metro 2033 Redux VR v0.1.0 Test 3

Warning

This is an experimental, unfinished test build. It is mainly meant to be a development build for whoever wants to work on this open source project, but feel free to try it. Expect performance and compatibility issues. Back up anything important and use the included uninstaller.

What changed in Test 3

• Metro's VR presentation surface is now fixed at the validated 2560x1440 geometry, independently of the physical monitor/window resolution.
• Selecting a lower Metro resolution such as 1920x1080 no longer changes the headset source geometry or splits pre-rendered video.
• Metro's SSAA-Off scene canvas is normalized to the matching 2560x1421 geometry only when needed, with protection against double-scaling an already-correct canvas.
• The accepted 1.0x final-backbuffer path remains unchanged. SteamVR/OpenVR still controls the final per-eye headset output resolution, and VR scales above 1.0 retain the existing high-resolution scene path.
• The package adds a monitor-resolution regression check to the tester notes.

Requirements

• Steam version of Metro 2033 Redux x64 for Windows
• Game quality setting must be on Medium
• SSAA Off (Other SSAA may work, but can't guarantee it)
• Texture Filtering: AF 16X
• Tessellation Very High
• PhysX off
• Verified Steam game version 1.0.0.3, SHA-256: 183EF65212E351C55A2832C3F3C8B04616B153697913D33B1E27683163F14E15
• SteamVR/OpenVR configured before launching Metro
• A tracked headset and two motion controllers

The Epic Games Store version has been tested and is not compatible with this build. The installer accepts only the verified Steam executable. NVIDIA is the most-tested GPU path; AMD remains unverified. OpenXR is experimental and is not the supported runtime.

Installation

1. Download and extract the entire ZIP to a normal folder. Do not run it from inside the ZIP.
2. Close Metro 2033 Redux.
3. Double-click Install.cmd.
4. Start SteamVR, then launch Metro normally through Steam.

The installer verifies the payload, backs up replaced files, records hashes for safe uninstall, finds the active Steam profile under %LOCALAPPDATA%\4A Games\Metro 2033, and applies the tested graphics combination: Medium quality, Very High tessellation, VSync Off, SSAA Off, and 16x texture filtering. Use Uninstall.cmd from the extracted package to remove it and restore installer-owned settings.

VR Controls

• Open the VR menu by holding both L3 and R3.
• Holding the right menu button recenters and recalibrates the left hand and the right hand/gun.
• Holding the left trigger opens the equipment menu; the right analog stick functions as the D-pad while it is open.
• Holding the left trigger also makes L3 open the journal and R3 open the pause menu.
• Holding up on the right thumbstick brings out the lighter.
• Holding down on the right thumbstick uses a med kit.

VR Gestures

Warning

These gestures may not work reliably because they were not fully polished.

• Turn on the flashlight by pressing the left grip near the left side of your head.
• Bring out the gas mask by moving the left controller to the left side of your waist and holding the left grip, then bring the controller to your face while continuing to hold the grip.
• Replace the filter by moving the left controller to your chest and pressing the left grip, then bring the controller to your mouth while holding the grip and make a twisting motion. This should reset your filter time.
• Bring out the charger by moving the left controller to your waist and pressing the left grip. While holding the grip, pull the controller away from you.
• Reduce recoil by bringing the gun up to your eye.
• Use the 2x and 4x scopes by bringing the gun up to your eye.

Known limitations

• Stereo rendering is performance-heavy; true single-pass stereo is unfinished.
• Some hardware combinations have reported background flicker, menu double vision, or unusually low performance.
• One sewer water effect can disappear near the lower edge of the view.
• The shooting range has a localized aim/projectile disagreement not seen in normal gameplay testing.
• The Epic Games Store version is incompatible; this test release is Steam-only.

Please report headset, controllers, GPU, driver, runtime, connection method, refresh rate, SteamVR resolution, exact checkpoint, and reviewed copies of d3d11_log.txt and vr_compatibility_log.txt.

Verification and provenance

• Matching public source commit: 9076578
• Headset test passed after explicitly selecting Metro 1920x1080; startup video and world presentation remained correct, with the compatibility report recording source=2560x1440
• Exact tested runtime DLL SHA-256: D73F2FFB86CC77888146C5C818480393208C6A5944CF9C36CC3E7F1787509A59
• All 15 self-contained public-source tests passed
• Install/uninstall integration passed in disposable existing-config, missing-config, clean Steam-profile, user-change, and Epic-rejection scenarios
• All six shader binaries remain byte-for-byte identical to Test 2
• All 11 payload hashes verified
• Archive contains no game files, logs, symbols, captures, or dumps

ZIP SHA-256: 31F6BAA2B1E7AF83176ED7FEA782B93581EE2D976B0A1287B03939E59A2E5F6B

Metro 2033 Redux VR v0.1.0 Test 2

Warning

This is an experimental, unfinished test build. Expect performance and compatibility issues. Back up anything important and use the included uninstaller.

Requirements

• Steam version of Metro 2033 Redux x64 for Windows
• Verified Steam game version 1.0.0.3, SHA-256: 183EF65212E351C55A2832C3F3C8B04616B153697913D33B1E27683163F14E15
• SteamVR/OpenVR configured before launching Metro
• A tracked headset and two motion controllers

The Epic Games Store version has been tested and is not compatible with this build. The installer accepts only the verified Steam executable. NVIDIA is the most-tested GPU path; AMD remains unverified. OpenXR is experimental and is not the supported runtime.

Installation

1. Download and extract the entire ZIP to a normal folder. Do not run it from inside the ZIP.
2. Close Metro 2033 Redux.
3. Double-click Install.cmd.
4. Start SteamVR, then launch Metro normally through Steam.

The installer verifies the payload, backs up replaced files, records hashes for safe uninstall, finds the active Steam profile under %LOCALAPPDATA%\4A Games\Metro 2033, and applies the tested graphics combination: Medium quality, Very High tessellation, VSync Off, SSAA Off, and 16x texture filtering. Use Uninstall.cmd from the extracted package to remove it and restore installer-owned settings.

VR Controls

• Open the VR menu by holding both L3 and R3.
• Holding the right menu button recenters and recalibrates the left hand and the right hand/gun.
• Holding the left trigger opens the equipment menu; the right analog stick functions as the D-pad while it is open.
• Holding the left trigger also makes L3 open the journal and R3 open the pause menu.
• Holding up on the right thumbstick brings out the lighter.
• Holding down on the right thumbstick uses a med kit.

VR Gestures

Warning

These gestures may not work reliably because they were not fully polished.

• Turn on the flashlight by pressing the left grip near the left side of your head.
• Bring out the gas mask by moving the left controller to the left side of your waist and holding the left grip, then bring the controller to your face while continuing to hold the grip.
• Replace the filter by moving the left controller to your chest and pressing the left grip, then bring the controller to your mouth while holding the grip and make a twisting motion. This should reset the filter time.
• Bring out the charger by moving the left controller to your waist and pressing the left grip. While holding the grip, pull the controller away from you.
• Reduce recoil by bringing the gun up to your eye.
• Use the 2x and 4x scopes by bringing the gun up to your eye.

Included VR functionality

• Stereoscopic rendering and 6DOF head tracking
• Tracked-controller aiming and game input
• VR hands, weapons, equipment, journal, watch, lighter, charger, scopes, reticle, and HUD treatment
• VR main menu and in-headset configuration
• Runtime-shaped eye output and compatibility-oriented frame pacing
• Restart-latched Expanded Visibility option

Known limitations

• Stereo rendering is performance-heavy; true single-pass stereo is unfinished.
• Some hardware combinations have reported background flicker, menu double vision, or unusually low performance.
• One sewer water effect can disappear near the lower edge of the view.
• The shooting range has a localized aim/projectile disagreement not seen in normal gameplay testing.
• The Epic Games Store version is incompatible; this test release is Steam-only.

Please report headset, controllers, GPU, driver, runtime, connection method, refresh rate, SteamVR resolution, exact checkpoint, and reviewed copies of d3d11_log.txt and vr_compatibility_log.txt.

Verification and provenance

• Matching public source commit: 668263b
• Clean Release | x64 runtime carried forward unchanged from the headset-tested build
• All 12 self-contained public-source tests passed
• Install/uninstall integration passed in disposable existing-config, missing-config, clean Steam-profile, user-change, and Epic-rejection scenarios
• All six shader binaries remain byte-for-byte identical to the headset-tested versions
• All 11 payload hashes verified
• Archive contains no game files, logs, symbols, captures, or dumps

ZIP SHA-256: 69A035775EDBC8650B2B020A4A1CB4697513ED95C35F1786A27BAD4395E65F6C

Metro 2033 Redux VR v0.1.0 Test 1

Caution

Superseded by v0.1.0-test.2. This build accidentally enabled 3Dmigoto developer logging and shader hunting and targeted a stale game-folder user.cfg. Do not use it for compatibility or performance testing.

Warning

This is an experimental, unfinished test build. Expect performance and compatibility issues. Back up anything important and use the included uninstaller.

Requirements

• Metro 2033 Redux x64 for Windows
• Only works with the Steam version
• Game quality setting must be on Medium
• Tessellation must be on Very High
• Verified game version 1.0.0.3, SHA-256: 183EF65212E351C55A2832C3F3C8B04616B153697913D33B1E27683163F14E15
• SteamVR/OpenVR configured before launching Metro
• A tracked headset and two motion controllers

Steam and Epic installations can be discovered automatically, but only the executable hash above is verified. NVIDIA is the most-tested GPU path; AMD remains unverified. OpenXR is experimental and is not the supported runtime.

Installation

1. Download and extract the entire ZIP to a normal folder. Do not run it from inside the ZIP.
2. Close Metro 2033 Redux.
3. Double-click Install.cmd.
4. Start SteamVR, then launch Metro normally through your game launcher.

The installer verifies the payload, backs up replaced files, records hashes for safe uninstall, and sets Metro's master quality to the validated Medium preset. Use Uninstall.cmd from the extracted package to remove it.

VR Controls

• Open the VR Menu by holding both L3 and R3.
• Holding right menu button recenters and recalibrates the left hand as well as the right hand/gun.
• Holding left trigger open the equipment menu, right analog stick functions as the Dpad while that is open.
• Holding left trigger also makes L3 open the journal and R3 open the pause menu
• Holding up on the right thumbstick brings out the lighter.
• Holding down on the right thumbstick uses a med kit.

VR Gestures

(Warning these may bot work 100% because I never finished polishing them)

• Turn on flashlight by pressing left grip near left side of head.
• Bring out the gas mask by bringing left controller to left side of waist and holding left grip, bring the controller to your face while holding down left grip.
• Replace filter by bringing your left controller to your chest and pressing left grip, while holding left grip bring your controller to your mouth and do a twisting motion. It should reset your filter time.
• To bring out the charger, bring your left controller to your waist and press left grip. While holding left grip, just pull away from you and the charger should come out.
• Reduce recoil by bringing the gun up to your eye.
• Use the 2 time and 4 time scope by bringing the gun up to your eye.

Included VR functionality

• stereoscopic rendering and 6DOF head tracking
• tracked-controller aiming and game input
• VR hands, weapons, equipment, journal, watch, lighter, charger, scopes, reticle, and HUD treatment
• VR main menu and in-headset configuration
• runtime-shaped eye output and compatibility-oriented frame pacing
• restart-latched Expanded Visibility option

Known limitations

• Stereo rendering is performance-heavy; true single-pass stereo is unfinished.
• Some hardware combinations have reported background flicker, menu double vision, or unusually low performance.
• One sewer water effect can disappear near the lower edge of the view.
• The shooting range has a localized aim/projectile disagreement not seen in normal gameplay testing.
• Other storefront executable builds require separate validation.

Verification and provenance

• Matching public source commit: db6e936
• Clean Release | x64 rebuild completed
• All 12 self-contained tests passed
• Install/uninstall integration passed in four disposable scenarios, including Epic discovery
• All six shader binaries recompiled byte-for-byte identically to the headset-tested versions
• All 11 payload hashes verified
• Archive contains no game files, logs, symbols, captures, or dumps

ZIP SHA-256: E6ED1C7C4486B735CE4D51ACAEA5A6989D40BA4546DF4FE746ECBF3EBAD25512