Earlier this week, 4A Games marked the 15th anniversary of the Metro franchise with a blog post that provided a significant update on the next installment. The Ukrainian studio acknowledged that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has deeply influenced the upcoming game’s narrative, making it darker and more reflective of real-world struggles.
A Story Shaped by War
The blog post revisited a statement made a few years ago, reiterating how the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 altered their vision for the next Metro game. As many of 4A Games’ developers are based in Ukraine, the war has become an unavoidable reality in their daily lives. This has inevitably seeped into the game’s storyline, reinforcing the franchise’s established themes of conflict, power struggles, tyranny, and the cost of freedom.
The studio emphasized that Metro has always carried political and anti-war undertones, but the ongoing war has made these themes even more personal and relevant. 4A Games is collaborating with Dmitry Glukhovsky, the original author of the Metro series, who has been vocal against the war in Ukraine. Glukhovsky’s outspoken stance has led to his sentencing in absentia by Russian authorities, making his involvement in the project even more significant.
“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,” the blog stated.
Development Challenges and Studio Updates
Despite the war, 4A Games continues to operate with over 200 employees. About 150 of them remain in Kyiv, while the rest are working from the studio’s headquarters in Sliema, Malta. The developers acknowledged that working under wartime conditions presents immense challenges, which is why they asked fans to be patient regarding the game’s reveal. The studio assured players that they would unveil details when the time is right.
It has been over six years since the release of Metro Exodus, and given the circumstances, it seems fans will have to wait a little longer before getting a first look at the next chapter of the Metro saga.
What’s Next for 4A Games?
While the Metro franchise remains the studio’s flagship series, 4A Games is also working on a new unannounced IP. There are no details yet on what this project entails, but its development is running parallel to the next Metro title.
Meanwhile, another Metro-related development is taking shape outside of 4A Games. La Quimera, a sci-fi first-person shooter, is currently being developed by Reburn, a studio formerly known as 4A Games Ukraine. Now operating independently, Reburn is set to deliver a fresh FPS experience that may appeal to Metro fans.
A Darker Future for Metro
The Metro series has always been known for its immersive storytelling, and the next installment is shaping up to be its most intense yet. With real-life war serving as a backdrop for the game’s themes, 4A Games is striving to create a story that not only entertains but also resonates with the realities of those affected by conflict. While the wait may be long, fans can expect an experience deeply rooted in the struggles and resilience of those behind its creation.
