New Metro 2039 gameplay trailer feels like classic Metro reborn

Metro 2039 has just shown off its latest gameplay at Gamescom Opening Night Live, and the new “Renegade” trailer only needs around two minutes to make one thing clear: the Metro is still an absolutely miserable place to be. Thankfully, that is exactly why we want to go back.

The footage immediately brings back memories of Metro 2033. Tight underground spaces, weak lighting, abandoned corners and the constant feeling that something unpleasant could be hiding just outside your flashlight beam were a huge part of what made the original game special.

Metro 2039 seems to be tapping into that same claustrophobic atmosphere, only with a much more modern level of visual detail.

The Metro has never looked this good

The trailer moves through Sevastopolskaya before heading into the irradiated ruins of Moscow above ground. Both areas are filled with the kind of environmental detail that Metro has always used so well: damaged structures, dirty walls, abandoned spaces and small visual touches that make the world feel lived-in rather than simply built for combat. That extra detail could make a big difference to immersion.

The original Metro 2033 was memorable because it made you feel trapped inside its tunnels. Darkness, sound and narrow corridors created tension even when nothing was actually attacking you. With Metro 2039, the improved lighting, richer environments and far more detailed presentation shown in this trailer could make that same feeling even stronger.

And when Metro feels more believable, it usually feels more terrifying too. The footage still has that familiar rhythm of slowly exploring dark environments before suddenly reminding you that the Metro is full of things that would very much like to kill you. We also see combat and survival elements mixed into the exploration, keeping the series' familiar first-person style intact.

Perhaps the most exciting part is that Metro 2039 doesn't appear to be running away from what made Metro 2033 memorable. Instead, this new footage looks like an attempt to recreate that oppressive underground atmosphere with a far more technically ambitious presentation.

Metro 2039 is currently scheduled for February 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Planning to head back underground? Use our price comparison tool to find the best deals for Metro 2039 preorder prices before launch.