Metro 2039 preview: first hands-on impressions are overwhelmingly positive
The embargo on Metro 2039 preview coverage lifted August 26, and the early verdict is hard to argue with: 4A Games has built something that feels genuinely impressive. Selected journalists got several hours with the game ahead of Gamescom 2026, and their reactions point to a shooter that respects the player without coddling them.
Back to the tunnels
Metro 2039 marks a deliberate step back from Metro Exodus's open-world ambitions. 4A Games blends the claustrophobic corridor design of Metro 2033 and Last Light with occasional wider spaces — not a full retreat, but a conscious balance. Ammunition stays scarce. UI hints stay minimal. Puzzles and combat situations offer multiple solutions rather than a single scripted path. The weapon customization system, shown in the Gamescom trailer, lets players reconfigure loadouts on the fly to suit different encounters.
The standout across nearly every preview is the audio. Sound has always been a Metro strength, but Gamereactor preview and others describe the audio design in Metro 2039 as reaching a new level entirely — one that pulls the player into the post-apocalyptic environment in a way the earlier games didn't quite manage. The Stranger, the new protagonist, is also the first fully voiced main character in the series, which reviewers flagged as a meaningful upgrade to immersion.
What we don't know yet
Performance benchmarks are off the table for now. Preview access was delivered via GeForce Now cloud streaming, which means no one can speak to frame rates, resolution targets, or how the game runs on actual hardware. Those questions will have to wait until closer to launch — or until full review embargo lifts.
The game's narrative is being framed by 4A explicitly around the studio's own experience. Based in Kyiv and Malta, 4A has operated under the shadow of Russia's invasion since 2022. The Stranger's story involves a dictatorial regime called the Novoreich, and the studio has linked those themes directly to the occupation — making Metro 2039 something Western outlets are treating as a political statement as much as an atmospheric shooter.
Metro 2039 launches February 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. No retail pricing has been confirmed yet. Based on what journalists have seen, Deep Silver is positioning this as the series' most ambitious entry — and the early previews suggest 4A has earned that confidence.
