Metro 2039 is actively healing a reviewer burnt out on the constant influx of AI and live-service games, offering a refreshing return to handcrafted single-player shooter design. Despite its grim post-apocalyptic setting, the game’s meticulous attention to detail and lack of handholding were standout elements during a 3-4 hour preview session. The experience is designed to keep players on edge, with a constant countdown timer for gas mask filters and scarce resources demanding careful scavenging and crafting.
A World of Constant Danger
The preview began in the relative safety of the Sevastopolskaya Metro Station, populated with NPCs and shops. However, this brief respite quickly contrasts with the hostile surface world. Players are immediately tasked with navigating irradiated environments and confronting a variety of threats, from mutated creatures to hostile survivors. Survival hinges on constant vigilance and resourcefulness. The game eschews explicit guidance, offering only a basic map to direct players toward objectives, forcing them to rely on environmental clues and their own wits.
Survival and Crafting Mechanics
Scavenging for crafting components is a core gameplay loop, essential for creating vital supplies like medkits, ammunition, and critically, gas mask filters. The player's wristwatch serves as a constant reminder of dwindling filter life, adding a layer of tension to exploration. Environmental puzzles, some requiring the use of a UV light to reveal hidden clues, offer rewards in the form of these precious crafting resources, emphasizing the game's commitment to meaningful gameplay loops over filler content.
The weapon system allows for extensive customization, with modifications to scopes, hilts, and muzzles. Ammunition is scarce, necessitating the crafting of different types of rounds, from basic metal balls to armor-piercing rounds. Throwables like knives and Molotov cocktails provide tactical options for dealing with both stealth and direct combat encounters. Even in resource-draining situations, such as a fight in knee-deep sewer water, players must manage their inventory and prioritize crafting over immediate resupply.
Diverse Gameplay Scenarios
Metro 2039 distinguishes itself with significant gameplay variety. Scenarios ranged from open-world exploration on the surface, contending with mutated wildlife, to focused combat encounters. One segment involved using a scoped rifle to pick off enemies from a distance, while another thrust players into an abandoned daycare with malfunctioning electronics, creating an unnerving atmosphere even without immediate threats.
The game also features subterranean "dungeons" where the air is safe, allowing players to remove their gas masks. These areas typically focus on close-quarters combat, making weapons like the double-barreled shotgun particularly effective. Stealth options, such as using air vents for silent infiltration, are also present, though failed attempts can quickly escalate into intense shootouts. The game's lean mechanic, used from behind cover, helps mitigate damage during these firefights.
Visuals and Overall Impression
Visually, Metro 2039 is described as gorgeous, presenting a bleak and horrifying yet beautifully rendered post-apocalyptic world. The proprietary engine developed by 4A Games appears to be performing exceptionally well, though frame rate performance could not be assessed due to remote play via GeForce Now. The preview suggests that Metro 2039 is shaping up to be a significant entry in the shooter genre, appealing to both series veterans and newcomers alike.