The Metro series has always been defined by its bleak, immersive world and deeply personal storytelling, and the next chapter looks to take that to the next level.
4A Games has confirmed the next Metro will be the darkest one yet, with the devs drawing from their own experiences during the war in Ukraine.
The earlier games explored survival, tyranny, and resistance in a post-apocalyptic world, while this new entry is set to be even more politically charged and emotionally resonant.
Metro has always set itself apart with its authentic storytelling and the atmospheric tension that keeps players on edge. Fallout focuses on satire and exploration, whereas Metro is more intimate and harrowing. The next game is all about that identity, even more so showing the tough road the creators walked.
The war in Ukraine has deeply affected the 4A Games, as many of its developers continue to live in the country and work under exceptional conditions. In a blog post honoring the franchise's 15th anniversary, the studio pointed out how these experiences have naturally influenced the game's story.
"As conflict, the struggle for power, the horrors of tyranny, and the price of freedom have become part of our lives over the past three-plus years, we are still living and working during this wartime, and that inevitably shapes the games we make."
The Metro series wouldn't be the same without Dmitry Glukhovsky, the Russian author who penned the original Metro 2033 novel and has remained heavily involved in the game adaptations. His stories are not just dystopian fiction but critiques of authoritarianism, societal collapse, and the human cost of survival.
However, Glukhovsky's outspoken criticism of the war in Ukraine cost him dearly, as a Moscow court sentenced him to eight years in prison in 2023 for spreading false information. Despite this, he still works with 4A Games on the next Metro installment. With him still on board, the next Metro game will stay true to the past and add a deeper message.
Development for the next Metro game is clearly underway, but there's no confirmed release window yet. Reports from 2023 indicated that the game was already in a playable state.
However, considering the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the challenges faced in game development, 4A Games has confirmed the release will happen only when the game is ready.
"We do want to reassure you that work is continuing on both of our projects despite missile strikes, air-raid sirens, and terror still raining down on Ukraine," the studio shared in its update.
"These circumstances are incredibly challenging, the situation remains dangerous and not within our control, but we are currently as safe as possible, and we want to manage your expectations around the reveal of the next Metro title."
The studio is also working on a brand-new, unannounced IP alongside the next Metro entry. Metro celebrates its 15th anniversary, and the franchise continues to expand, both in games and cultural impact.
The next installment looks set to be the most powerful yet, driven not only by its setting and gameplay mechanics but also by real-life experiences shaping its creation.