Metro 2039 executive producer says the game brings back the 'spookiness' of the claustrophobic metro tunnels from the first games while also offering open world zones: 'We didn't want to ditch everything that we did in Metro Exodus'

Metro 2039 executive producer Jon Bloch has revealed that the upcoming game will bring back the claustrophobic metro tunnels that were prominent in the first games, while also incorporating open-world zones. Bloch stated that the team aimed to "go back to the roots" of the series and "bring back a lot of that deep, dark, claustrophobic, thick atmosphere" that fans loved from the original titles.

However, Bloch emphasized that the developers didn't want to "ditch everything that we did in Metro Exodus," as they learned valuable lessons from that game. Consequently, the new title will feature different elements from various stages of development to create a balanced experience.

Creative director Andriy Shevchenko added that despite the return to the underground tunnels, players will still experience the freedom and danger that comes with an open-world design. He explained that as players progress, the tension increases as they venture farther from their safe stations or bases.

Shevchenko also noted that while it's challenging to maintain the sense of danger in an open-world setting, the team has prioritized optimization to ensure the game runs smoothly across all platforms. Metro 2039 is set to release in February 2027 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.