Metro 2039: Everything We Know

We’re already at one million wishlists for the upcoming Metro 2039. This is the next installment in the post-apocalyptic Metro series, one that’s marketed to be the darkest one yet. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to head back to the subways. I probably shouldn’t be this ecstatic, given how much it spiked my anxiety. 

But watching the trailer, I’m convinced the new game won’t just be a statement of survival horror immersion. It’ll put those of us who’re lucky to be in the safety of our countries an idea of the Russian invasion in Ukraine: “the cost of silence, the horrors of tyranny, and the price of freedom,” as the devs are keen to put across. 

Here’s a rundown of everything we know about Metro 2039 so far.

What is Metro 2039?

Metro 2039 will be the fourth mainline entry in the Metro series, after Metro 2033 (2010), Metro: Last Light (2013), and Metro Exodus (2019). All have been absolutely dread-inducing post-apocalyptic survival horror FPS games. There has also been a Metro Awakening (2024) VR prequel. 

In the series, a nuclear explosion forces the remaining survivors of humanity to barricade themselves in the underground tunnels and subways of Mexico. Both humans and mutants pose a threat to survival, with scarce resources and a claustrophobic, haunting world that’s become your new home. 

Story

Metro 2039 will continue some years after Metro Exodus, returning players to the grimdark world of underground Moscow. An authoritarian, fascist Novoreich regime has taken over, eroding human values. The fanatical Spartan leader, known as Hunter, unites all with fear and propaganda about the surface. 

Meanwhile, in the wilderness on the surface is the Stranger, burdened by nightmarish visions. The ghosts of his past are unrelenting, leaving him no choice but to make his way to the subways, where he swore never to return.

Gameplay

Metro 2039 shouldn’t change much in gameplay from previous entries. Metro Exodus featured a mix of stealth, FPS, survival horror, and exploration. The environments were semi-open, with resources you can collect and craft new tools. You can customize weapons as you explore a post-apocalyptic Russian wilderness.

You should expect similar first-person shooter mechanics with survival gameplay elements. You’ll still be advancing your quest in single-player, story-driven mode. In between will be bits of exploration, survival, and combat.

Exploration should be a delight, well, a haunting delight given Metro’s mastery of grimdark worlds. And given this will be the darkest adventure yet, you might want to prepare for some horrific portrayals of the worst parts of humanity. The supernatural will return, too, in the form of mutated monsters, which will require stealth in places. 

While it’s not clear yet about the specifics of gameplay, this isn’t a world you can go out guns blazing into. Your resources will be limited, while you cautiously explore claustrophobic tunnels. And on the surface, you might have more freedom of movement. But still remaining on high alert for human and mutant enemies.

Stealth, as well, isn’t clear yet. However, it’ll likely remain using the cover of darkness to avoid enemies. You may have a light source and perform melee takedowns such as the knife plunge shown in the trailer.

Development

Developer 4A Games and publisher Deep Silver return, bringing their expertise from previous games to the new game. They are impressively using an in-house 4A Engine, which the devs say boasts advanced ray tracing and high fidelity visuals. It’s the same engine that was used to develop previous games, which were absolute masterpieces in haunting environments and immersion. 

The Metro series is also based on the best-selling Metro book series by Dmitry Glukhovsky. And it’s awesome that the devs have collaborated with the author in writing the story for the new Metro 2039.

Otherwise, you’ll find plenty of information on the development process in the dev interviews. They speak with incredible passion about developing Metro 2039, and games in general, paying special attention to immersion. 

They reveal how their experience developing Metro 2039 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine influenced their gameplay direction. They’ve included decision-making in your journey, allowing consequences to play a part in the outcome. 

“We will go where the worst of humanity can be on full display,” the devs add, where their unique Ukrainian perspective will play a role in the story told in Metro 2039, but also remaining true to the Metro universe.

Trailer

We have the pleasure of enjoying two trailers in one fell swoop during the world premiere of Metro 2039. The cinematic trailer is like a movie, taking you through the motions with its horrific portrayals of a world devastated by war. The aftermath looks and feels real, telling “frozen stories” of what happened, and the long journey it will take to recover what has been lost.

Perhaps never, with the survivors becoming the worst versions of themselves. The protagonist, simply called the Stranger, battles with violent visions and hauntings from his past. Meanwhile, the fascist regime has the survivors in the subway on chokehold. The spread of fear and propaganda has infiltrated the minds of anyone sane. 

Stick around till the end of the YouTube “first look” to watch the gameplay, too. Although brief, it shows in-game FPS mechanics. Gunplay looks satisfying, and I particularly like the blade you can stick into the necks of the monsters that pin you down.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

For all the excitement that the announcement of Metro 2039 has brought to the gaming world, it’s not clear yet when the final game will drop. All we know is that it will be here this coming winter. So, hold tight. Add it to your wishlist on your platform of choice, whether Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, or PC via their respective stores. Be on the lookout for any editions that may be available for preorder, too. You can keep track of future updates on pretty much all major social media handles, including X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Discord, and YouTube.