Next Metro Game Will Be Much Darker Due to the War, Says 4A Games; Studio Urges Fans to Be Patient
In a heartfelt update commemorating the 15th anniversary of the acclaimed Metro franchise, developer 4A Games shared new insights into the next installment of the series. The studio confirmed that the next Metro title will carry significantly darker themes, directly influenced by the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. The statement was shared through an official blog post on their website.
The studio openly discussed how real-life events in Ukraine have reshaped the story and themes of the next Metro game:
"In 2022, a full-scale Russian invasion changed how we wanted to tell the story of the next Metro game. As art became life for many of our developers in Ukraine, we drew from that lived experience to create an even darker story, those themes already present in Metro becoming ever-more apparent and important. As conflict, the struggle for power, the horrors of tyranny, and the price of freedom have become part of our lives over the past 3+ years, we are still living and working during this wartime, and that inevitably shapes the games we make."
Metro's narratives have always featured deep, politically charged, anti-war messages, along with powerful emotional resonance. This legacy will continue thanks to their ongoing partnership with original franchise creator, author, and outspoken anti-war activist Dmitry Glukhovsky. The studio shared admiration and support for Glukhovsky, who has faced significant persecution from Russian authorities for his outspoken stance against the war:
"Dmitry has always spoken out against the war in Ukraine from the start—a courageous decision for any Russian, that has seen him sentenced to jail (in absentia)—and we are proud to have him as a friend and co-creator as we tell this next, and never more relevant chapter of Metro together. Rest assured, you are in for quite the ride."
4A Games also provided an update about the team's current status, noting that they now consist of more than 200 developers, with approximately 150 based in Kyiv, Ukraine. The remaining team members operate from the studio’s headquarters in Sliema, Malta. Beyond the Metro franchise, the developer also revealed they're working on another unannounced intellectual property.
Given the ongoing impact of the war, 4A Games urged fans to set realistic expectations regarding the reveal timeline for the next Metro installment, emphasizing it will be "ready when it’s ready." More than six years have passed since the release of the critically acclaimed Metro Exodus, and it seems likely that fans may have to wait a bit longer before receiving more concrete information.
What are your expectations for the next chapter in the Metro franchise? How do you feel about the series exploring darker themes due to real-world events? Share your thoughts below!
