Developer 4A Games has officially introduced the highly anticipated fourth installment of the post-apocalyptic first-person shooter series, "Metro 2039." The game promises a return to the Moscow Metro under the iron grip of a fascist regime. The developers openly shared that the ongoing war in Ukraine has had a profound impact on the game's narrative and development, leading to the darkest chapter of the game.

Key Points

  • "Metro 2039" will feature the series' first fully voiced main character, "The Stranger."
  • The game will return to the Moscow Metro setting, focusing on a unified fascist regime.
  • The development process has been heavily influenced by the experiences of Ukrainian developers related to the ongoing war.
  • The narrative focuses on the consequences of war, bullying, and the cost of freedom.
  • The game is built on 4A Games' proprietary engine and pushes graphical boundaries with advanced ray tracing.

Return to the Tunnels

"Metro 2039" symbolizes a deliberate return to the series' roots, going back to the underground world of the Moscow Metro. Creative Director Andriy Shevchenko stated that the game will focus on the elements that make Metro, Metro. The once fragmented factions of the Metro have been united under a tyrannical fascist dictatorship. Players will step into the shoes of "The Stranger," who is haunted by the past and forced to return to the Metro he never wants to see again. This new main character will be the first fully voiced protagonist in the franchise's history.

Gameplay and Environmental Storytelling

Early gameplay footage showcases the series' signature handcrafted weapons, stunning visuals, and the main character's preference for diegetic user interface elements like a watch. Combat appears tactically, emphasizing weapon maintenance and resource management through situations like "The Stranger"'s weapon failing to fire during encounters with wild Nosalis. The game will also offer detailed environmental storytelling with meticulously crafted environments designed to reveal micro-narratives for attentive players, creating a tangible sense of history and lived experiences.

Development Process Affected by Conflict

Based in Ukraine and predominantly Ukrainian, the developers at 4A Games have been candid about the impact of the Russian invasion on "Metro 2039." Producer Jon Bloch stated, "Everything we planned for the next chapter of Metro has changed." The war shifted the thematic focus of the game from preventing war to exploring its devastating consequences, the fears of bullying, and the struggle for freedom. The team has continued to develop the game, often working under the threat of power outages and attacks from various locations in Ukraine, demonstrating extraordinary resilience.

Technological Advancements

Built on 4A Games' proprietary engine, "Metro 2039" aims to push visual fidelity further. The engine has a long history of delivering stunning graphics and performance, and the studio was one of the early adopters of ray tracing technology in "Metro Exodus." "Metro 2039" promises an even more immersive and visually striking experience by utilizing and expanding upon these technological foundations.

"Metro 2039" is set to be released this winter for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.