Metro Exodus 2: Moscow Rising from the Ashes?
The Metro video game series has earned critical and fan acclaim for its gripping post-apocalyptic storyline immersed in the ruins of Moscow‘s metro stations. After the cliffhanger ending of 2019‘s Metro Exodus, gamers have eagerly awaited details on a possible sequel. Despite intense speculation and several leaks, concrete information remains scarce. However, as highlighted in a recent Ukrainian media article, there are intriguing signs pointing to Metro returning to Moscow as the backdrop for its next chapter.
Industry insiders suggest the working title for the Metro sequel is "Metro Next." Though not yet officially unveiled by developers 4A Games, Metro Next gameplay footage could potentially debut at June‘s Xbox Games Showcase. The project may reflect creative director Andrew Prokhorov‘s traumatic experiences in war-torn Ukraine. "The idea to force the player to play as a Russian in post-Soviet Russia is disgusting and unacceptable," Prokhorov told interviewers. This indicates Metro Next‘s story will directly parallel real-world conflicts.
The Metro game series has delivered a standout triple-A gaming experience ever since its debut in 2010 with Metro 2033. Developed by Ukrainian studio 4A Games, the series has enraptured over 7 million players globally across its three core titles – Metro 2033, Metro Last Light, and 2019‘s Metro Exodus.
Set in a post-apocalyptic future stemming from a nuclear war that destroyed Moscow and forced survivors underground into the metro stations, the Metro games have won praise for their tight first-person shooting gameplay and thrilling survival horror atmosphere. Their detailed worldbuilding and environments like the dark, monster-filled tunnels of the Moscow metro or the radioactive surface world bathed in permanent winter show the development talents of 4A Games.
But it is the complex, morally grey tale centered on Artyom across the campaigns that gives the series its narrative depth. Through his eyes as he journeys for a safe haven with wife Anna while battling hostile humans and mutated creatures, players explore rich themes of survival, redemption, conspiracy, and hope amidst devastating tragedy.
Reviewers consistently award Metro games high scores, with Metro Exodus currently holding an 84 critic average and 83% positive Steam user reviews. It earned several Game of the Year nominations from outlets like IGN and Game Informer. Metro Exodus in particular exceeded sales expectations, moving over 2.5 million units less than a year after launch. With demand still great for epic single-player adventures like Metro provides, a sequel following up on Exodus’ thrilling finale that sees Artyom’s fate unknown seems inevitable.
After Metro Exodus took players across post-apocalyptic Russia aboard the steam locomotive Aurora in search of a new home outside Moscow, a sequel reprising the nuclear ruins of Moscow itself holds special meaning. It brings Artyom’s odyssey full circle back to where the series began. As beautifully realized as Exodus’ Volga, Caspian, and Taiga regions were, Metro has always called the tunnels of Moscow’s metro home.
For Artyom, returning to Moscow where he grew up signifies revisiting old demons. By exploring scarred landmarks like D6, Red Square, and the Ostankino Tower which longtime fans vividly remember from past games, Metro aims to emotionally reconnect players to this haunting, atmospheric setting. Compared to Exodus’ open worlds, confined hostile corridors of Moscow’s decrepit, monster-filled subsurface echo Metro’s survival horror roots.
Narrative director Andrew Prokhorov promises revisiting Moscow in Metro 4 will be an intensely personal journey reflecting the traumatic toll of conflict. He guarantees a storyline grounded in the human realities of war after experiencing its devastation in Ukraine firsthand. For Metro loyalists, this closing chapter gives closure while underscoring the anti-war messages core to its DNA. Just as returning to Tolkien‘s Shire for the Lord of the Rings ending resonated deeply, Metro 4 frames Moscow as both beginning and ending for Artyom’s quest for sanctuary.
Developing Metro 4 amidst ongoing real-world conflict between Russia and Ukraine adds deeper resonance. Parallels clearly exist between Moscow’s post-apocalyptic suffering from civil war and the current humanitarian crisis triggered by Putin’s invasion. Series writer Dmitry Glukhovsky and creative director Oles Shyshkovtsov have spoken about how witnessing war and violence in their homeland intensifies Metro’s themes confronting the personal tragedies spawned by armed conflict.
They promise a next chapter confronting players with an uncompromising, emotionally-charged vision of Moscow’s pain that implicitly reflects modern geopolitical struggles. In the worldbuilder’s own words: “atmosphere in Moscow Metro is harsh and ruthless just as Russia itself nowadays.” Through 4A Games‘ Ukrainian eyes, Metro intends to separate ordinary Russian citizens enduring devastation from the military-industrial apparatus oppressing them – highlighted by playable protagonist Artyom’s own inner goodness despite technically being Russian.
Much like fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings or HBO‘s iconic Game of Thrones reflected real histories of war and totalitarianism through fictional lenses, the Metro video game series has always held up a mirror to modern-day societal ills. As Russia continues brutalizing Ukraine, this next chapter shall spare no explicit detail in capturing these disturbing real world horrors via its dramatic, action-packed interactive theatre. Audiences must brace themselves for a heavy, haunting spectacle.
Despite 4A Games suffering notable staff turnover recently as parent company Embracer Group transferred them from Deep Silver‘s ownership to Saber Interactive, industry analysts still expect Metro development to continue relatively seamlessly. They believe it perfectly logical to stick with pre-planned creative direction and assets for Metro Exodus 2 rather than drastically overhaul series vision or technology.
With concrete scripts, levels, and gameplay features for a sequel already completed under original leadership, throwing all that content away simply makes no financial sense. It would instantly negate years of invested development time and budget running into tens of millions. Reports say ex-creative head Andrew Prokhorov left for unrelated reasons as 4A keeps directing Metro Next towards his established narrative concept.
Though newly installed Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch lacks track record guiding a narrative-driven single-player franchise, his strategy of avoiding unnecessary disruption by maintaining Exodus 2’s core vision seems prudent. However, some like Pixel Judge editor Bhromor think finished gameplay portions may still get overhauled to enhance pilotable vehicle sections which Saber has more expertise with across its ports portfolio. But besides targeting more stable frame-rates for next-gen console hardware, the Metro Exodus formula anticipated not changing significantly.
My biggest ask as a lifetime fan is the series retain its heart and identity. Doom makeover risks could jeopardize that. Metro must stay committed to its hallmark world-building, stealth action hybrid formula that made past entries so special. As the Metro 2033 novel and games do such a magnificent job reflecting author Dmitry Glukhovsky‘s signature tone, it is paramount 4A keeps his spirit alive via staying true to this universe‘s Slavic soul. For in that darkness and despair lies both incredible beauty and hope.
Early rumors pointed to Metro Next continuing Artyom‘s journey across post-apocalyptic Russia. However following ownership changes, narrative director Prohkorov indicated intentions refocusing the saga back on Moscow. Where Exodus adopted more sandbox environments, some leaks suggest Metro 4 recombining Metro: Last Light‘s linear mission structure with its predecessor‘s dizzying maze of tunnels. This aligns perfectly with reorienting events towards Moscow‘s subterranean spiderweb.
Many fans including myself also hope technical upgrades target leveraging new-gen hardware for stunning visual enhancements. As gorgeous and technically impressive as the past Metro titles looked, the prospect of seeing a ray-traced Moscow with denser atmospherics through sheer 4K brute force sparks the imagination. Smarter enemy AI taking advantage of PS5 and Xbox Series X power also adds challenge for the stealth action. Although mod support sadly seems unlikely in this next chapter, everything else points to a Metro visual stunner.
Another welcome quality-of-life adjustment would be revamping the cumbersome weapon modification system to be more intuitive akin to contemporary FPS rivals. Inventory management felt needlessly clumsy weighing the pace of Last Light and Exodus. Refinement there tailored around new haptic DualSense mechanics on PS5 could really amplify player immersion within Metro 4‘s world. Small tweaks modernizing certain framework elements would make the conventional core gameplay shine brighter.
Of course what every Metro fan ultimately desires is continuation of the superb writing that has defined this franchise. With returning novelist Dmitry Glukhovsky collaborating with 4A Games‘ writers room to close Artyom‘s turbulent story arc, expectations stay high for a narratively impactful finale. Glukhovsky promises Metro 4‘s themes reflecting humanity‘s capability for cruelty will make for devastating yet beautiful fiction. Audiences eagerly await the next chapter chronicling Moscow‘s fate – and that of Artyom, Anna, the Spartan Order and other stalwart survivors.
With E3 2022 and the stacked summer games lineup looming, many like myself believe June‘s Xbox showcase the perfect venue for Metro Exodus 2‘s formal unveiling. Release window clarity should arrive alongside first concrete details. My optimistic side hopes for a late 2023 launch while rationality expects 2024 more realistic given 4A Games‘ workload balancing multiplayer projects. But next month should end this anticipation.
Until then, whispers continue swirling around Metro Next (or Metro 4 as named on several leaked documents). Yet intrigue persists on what shape this sequel ultimately materializes as. Will Exodus‘ open world philosophy make a comeback? Is Metro reverting to purely linear single-player missions? Are newcomer publisher Saber Interactive excercising more creative license modifying 4A Games‘ vision? How extensively will next-gen power enhance the signature experience? Regardless of unknowns, the Metro universe bursting back onto the big stage soon rhymes perfectly with returning to where Artyom‘s quest began – the cold, unforgiving, yet majestic realm of post-apocalyptic Moscow.