Metro 2039, developed by 4A Games in Ukraine, is being shaped by the very real impact of war, according to executive producer Jon Bloch and co-creative director Pawel Ulmer. The studio has shifted its focus from preventing war, as seen in previous titles, to exploring its devastating consequences and the cost of freedom, a direct reflection of the developers' lived experiences.
Bloch explained that the context of production has significantly altered the game's vision. "The previous games were about preventing war; the themes and the morals and all that supported this idea that revolved around 'how do we as humans stop the cycle that we keep finding ourselves in'," he stated. "And when Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, that brought war to our doorstep. Now, our team has been living in a state of war for the last four and a half years. And that changes things. Significantly."
The game will delve into the horrors of tyranny and the price of freedom, themes that are unavoidable given the developers' circumstances. "There is only evil involved in that," Bloch said, contrasting the current approach with the more ambiguous morality of past games. "And so the grey morality of the past needs to be more defined now. It needs to be more specific and clear. And so our approach needed to change and, therefore, the story needed to change."
This narrative shift is exemplified by the introduction of a voiced protagonist, The Stranger. This new character will navigate the dangerous metro tunnels beneath Moscow, confronting the totalitarian Novoreich regime led by the charismatic Hunter. The Stranger's journey is intended to explicitly explore the "worst of humanity" and the "choices, actions, consequences, and the cost of securing a future."
Ulmer, a Ukrainian himself, echoed Bloch's sentiments, noting that discussions of war prevention feel outdated given the ongoing conflict. "So using the power of storytelling, as a developer, we have this chance to show people what can actually happen if the world would stop working on preventing war," he remarked. "Metro was always about the cult of war, the propaganda, people dying, and the cost of others' ambitions. It didn't become politicalised; it always has been. But what's become uncomfortable is that the franchise's very nature is getting too close to reality."
Developing the game under such extreme conditions presents unique challenges. "The team is taking this like true fighters, like people of steel," Ulmer described. "And sometimes you cannot wrap your head around it – when you go to complete a task and it's like 'oh no, I can't, there's a drone attack' or something." He added that the story of creating Metro 2039 may prove more intense than the game's narrative itself.
Despite the hardships, the team's resilience is a core element being channeled into the game. "We put all the negativity and aggression into the product – in a good way, you understand?" Ulmer said. "I sometimes cannot understand how this is even possible myself. [But I think] the final game will represent what we have been through to make it."
Bloch highlighted the unprecedented nature of the development obstacles. "Some of the problems that we've had to solve, some of the challenges we've had to overcome with this development… never in a million years would we have ever imagined that we would have to figure out how to get around these things," he stated. "There is no job title, manager title, or creative title that would fit the things we have to focus on and to deal with on a daily basis."
Early impressions suggest a game that is not only a competent shooter with impressive graphics but also carries a profound emotional weight. The claustrophobic atmosphere and palpable sense of threat, inspired by real-world events, aim to be more intense than in previous Metro installments. "Making games is hard under normal circumstances, but having played about two hours of Metro 2039 I'm floored by what the team has managed here," the preview notes. The game stands as a testament to 4A Games' spirit, offering hauntingly beautiful moments that depict struggling families finding comfort amidst devastation, a powerful message of defiance against overwhelming adversity.