Four outlets — GamesRadar+, Rock Paper Shotgun, PC Gamer and Eurogamer — got hands-on time with Metro 2039, the fourth mainline entry in 4A Games' post-apocalyptic FPS series, ahead of its February 2027 release on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X. All describe a game that pulls the series back into the tunnels beneath Moscow after the more open-air journey of Metro Exodus, with Artyom gone and a new fully-voiced protagonist called the Stranger taking his place. The Stranger, described by PC Gamer as gruff and chatty in contrast to previous silent protagonists, is on a mission to find and kill Hunter, a former Ranger hero who has united the metro's factions under a totalitarian banner referred to as the Novoreich.
Previewers agree the game mixes the tight, tunnel-bound structure of Metro 2033 and Last Light with the more open exploration introduced in Exodus. GamesRadar+ and PC Gamer both describe moving between densely detailed underground stations, including Sevastopolskaya, and above-ground areas that function as small hubs offering optional foraging, crafting blueprints, locked rooms and side objectives. Rock Paper Shotgun similarly notes that remnants of Exodus' freeform structuring remain, even though the game doesn't feature sprawling open worlds. Resources such as gas mask filters and crafting materials are scarce, and multiple outlets say scavenging and careful resource management are central to survival, with PC Gamer and Rock Paper Shotgun both describing tense moments running low on filters or ammunition.
Combat is described across previews as tense, ammo-scarce and stealth-oriented, with mutants and human factions both posing threats. GamesRadar+ highlights improved movement and weapon handling, brutal gunplay with punishing recoil, destructible cover and a new lean mechanic, while ammunition returns as an in-game currency usable for bartering or combat. PC Gamer and Rock Paper Shotgun both note that stealth felt more forgiving than in earlier games, allowing quiet playthroughs of some encounters, though PC Gamer also describes boss-fight-style encounters against larger mutants that felt repetitive. Rock Paper Shotgun singles out a new compressed air rifle as a highlight of the weapon roster. GamesRadar+ and PC Gamer both mention the return of in-field weapon customization and crafting via backpacks and workbenches.
Horror and paranormal elements are described as heightened compared to Exodus, with the Dark Ones and unmarked anomalous zones returning to the series. Rock Paper Shotgun and PC Gamer both describe an optional haunted-school sequence built around psychological horror and ghost-child tropes, though Rock Paper Shotgun felt this particular attempt at horror didn't fully land. GamesRadar+ frames these elements more positively, citing anomalous zones and unsettling audio and visual details as evidence the game isn't afraid to get 'dark and truly weird.'
Eurogamer's interview with 4A executive producer Jon Bloch and co-creative director Pawel Ulmer explains how the game's tone has been directly shaped by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where much of the game is being developed. Bloch says earlier Metro games centered on preventing war and exploring moral grey areas, but that living through an actual war for years has pushed the team toward more clearly defined morality regarding authoritarianism and violence. Ulmer, speaking as a Ukrainian developer, says the war has made the franchise's fictional conflicts uncomfortably close to reality, and that the studio has continued development despite disruptions such as drone attacks and power outages. Writer Dmitry Glukhovsky, the original Metro novelist and an exiled critic of the Russian government, is part of the writing team. Rock Paper Shotgun similarly notes the game features a 'renewed sense of political fury' drawing on both the novels' historical allegories and the ongoing war, calling it potentially the first AAA shooter to directly criticize a real, current conflict.
Coverage is broadly positive but not uniform. GamesRadar+ calls Metro 2039 its most anticipated shooter of 2027 after four hours of play, praising its environmental detail and immersive interactions. PC Gamer's preview is largely enthusiastic about the exploration and gunplay but singles out the Stranger's dialogue and voice acting as a weak point, comparing his post-battle one-liners to action-hero parody. Rock Paper Shotgun is more measured about the combat, describing much of it as 'functional, if not particularly fresh' outside of standout weapons and stealth encounters. A separate PC Gamer piece on a Gamescom trailer notes the game's striking, near-photorealistic visuals but raises questions about PC hardware demands, while noting it is being built to run on consoles including the Xbox Series S. GamesRadar+'s trailer coverage also details new tools shown, including a blowtorch, UV lamp, breaching charges and an expanded blueprint system, alongside returning weapon customization and Dark Ones-related paranormal content.