“The darkest Metro yet”: original author teases Metro 2039 ahead of official reveal

Tonight, April 16 at 20:00 MSK, Metro 2039 — the next entry in the post-apocalyptic series by 4A Games and Deep Silver — will be officially revealed during the Xbox First Look event.

Ahead of the showcase, original book author Dmitry Glukhovsky briefly commented on the game on social media:

According to leaks, Metro 2039 will serve as a direct sequel to Metro Exodus, which concluded in 2035. The new story takes place in 2039 — a quarter century after the nuclear war. The Moscow Metro is now united under a single leader — a fanatical Spartan known as Hunter, a familiar figure to longtime fans: he was the one who sent Artyom on his journey in the original book and game. The project is reportedly abandoning open-world elements in favor of a return to linear storytelling, with a focus on exploration, stealth, and survival.

Metro 2039 is being developed by 4A Games — the studio behind all previous entries. The developers have stated that the game will draw from current global events while continuing the themes of earlier titles. It marks the first major installment in the series in six years since Metro Exodus. According to leaks, Artyom will no longer be the central protagonist — a new character is expected to take the lead.

Are you excited for a new Metro — or does the series lose something without Artyom? Maybe Exodus was the perfect ending for you? Share your thoughts in the comments.