This week is bringing what is undoubtedly one of 2026's most exciting game reveals for many shooter game fans, with Microsoft and publisher Deep Silver partnering up to showcase 4A Games' new Metro game Metro 2039 during an "Xbox First Look" show on Thursday, April 16 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.

The Metro franchise — set in a post-nuclear, post-apocalyptic Russia in the near future, and based on the series of beloved novels penned by Dmitry Glukhovsky — is widely regarded as one of the best single player FPS properties in all of gaming. 2024's VR-exclusive Metro Awakening aside, 2039 will be the first mainline entry in the series since the critically acclaimed Metro Exodus released in 2019.

With that in mind, it's no surprise that fans are eager to see what's next for the Metro universe. And ahead of Metro 2039's full reveal later this week, franchise author and collaborator Glukhovsky has made a statement about it that makes it even more intriguing.

In a new post on social media, he commented the following detail about the highly anticipated shooter sequel: "This Metro game will be darker than anything you’ve seen before."

Naturally, the assumption here is that Glukhovsky is referring to Metro 2039's content, story, and themes, given that he's the architect of the universe the Metro games are based on and has contributed to the title's narrative. Some, though, have wondered if he's literally referring to the dark environments in the game instead, or if there's something of a double meaning here.

That's led to some comical replies — "I got myself an OLED, I'm good," says one commenter, and "I'm sure it will be if I turn the brightness all the way down," quipped another — and overall, I think it's clear the writing is what's being described here. Still, it's a possibility.

The assertion that Metro 2039 will be the darkest game in the franchise does make me wonder if it will see us leave the perspective of series protagonist Artyom for the first time (outside of DLC add-ons); his story reached what many consider to be a hopeful and fitting conclusion at the end of Metro Exodus, so plunging him into post-apocalyptic despair once again could feel rather gratuitous.

Putting us in the boots of a new character, however — someone still in the Moscow metro tunnels the franchise gets its namesake from, perhaps — would arguably make more sense, and bring about the beginning of a brand new narrative. Metro 2039 has been confirmed to be a Metro Exodus sequel, though, so it will likely tie into the previous game's events in some way.

Ultimately, we won't know more about the game's story and setting (or whether or not it's linear like Metro 2033, or open world like Exodus) until 4A Games and Deep Silver's full showcase this week. I'm extremely excited for that reveal, and if you love Metro as much as I do, I'm sure you are, too. Sound off with your thoughts in the comments!

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Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. He's been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you'll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he's not writing or gaming, there's a good chance he's either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once. Follow him on X (Twitter).