Metro 2039 Tech First Look: What We Learned From 15 Minutes of Footage

Metro 2039 has been officially announced as the next mainline entry in the Metro series, arriving this winter on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This marks the first new mainline entry in seven years since Metro Exodus (2019). Developed by Ukrainian studio 4A Games in partnership with author Dmitry Glukhovsky, the game returns to the Moscow Metro underground setting after the more expansive open-world approach of its predecessor.

Players will take on the role of “The Stranger,” a fully voiced protagonist plagued by violent nightmares who reluctantly returns to the Metro’s cramped tunnels. The game promises to be “much darker” than previous entries, focusing on a handcrafted, story-driven single-player campaign that emphasizes psychological horror and claustrophobia.

The game’s narrative has been significantly influenced by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. As a Kyiv-based developer, 4A Games has stated the invasion “fundamentally changed” their vision for the game, with the story now exploring themes of “the cost of silence, the horrors of tyranny, and the price of freedom” from a distinctly Ukrainian perspective. The narrative examines the dangers of autocratic ideology, reflecting real-world experiences of war and oppression.

Metro 2039 was revealed during Xbox’s First Look showcase, featuring a 15-minute presentation including developer insights, a pre-rendered opening cinematic, and brief gameplay footage. The game continues to utilize 4A Games’ proprietary 4A Engine, showcasing technical advancements while maintaining the series’ signature immersive atmosphere.

Metro 2039 Tech First Look: What We Learned From 15 Minutes of Footage

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