A sequel to the underrated apocalyptic shooters Metro: 2033 and Metro: Last Light appears to be in development, according to the website for the series’ latest novel.
The official site for Metro 2035, which is now available in English after its original Russian printing, says that reading Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novel will let fans “get a head start before the sequel arrives” — the “sequel” referred to here is a video game, and there is a picture of a controller right above the text.
And though the game hasn’t even been announced yet, the Metro 2035 website also lists a “2017” release window.
“It all adds up to something,” said the text available near the bottom of the page. “Where the books end their story, the game will pick it up. An era of great discoveries lies ahead.”
This announcement appears to have come as a surprise to game publisher Deep Silver, who rejected a comment request from IGN after the information was found. The company broke its silence a short time later on Wednesday, telling Polygon that “Deep Silver has ambitious plans for the hugely successful Metro series,” but that the company is not planning to launch a new game in 2017.
Deep Silver rescued the Metro series, and developer 4A Games, from demise after the bankruptcy and liquidation of THQ. 2010’s Metro: 2033 was followed by Metro: Last Light in 2013. A remastered two-game pack titled Metro: Redux followed the next summer.
Deep Silver revealed that Last Light was “significantly outselling” 2033 when it launched in 2013. Former THQ president (and Naughty Dog co-founder) Jason Rubin stated at the time that 4A Games’ budget for the title was only about 10 percent of competitors’ budgets.
Glukhovsky originally began the franchise as a book series, self-publishing the first installment, Metro 2033, online in 2002.
If you can’t wait until 2017 — or whenever the game is actually releasing — to get your hands on a new Metro game, there actually is a relatively new title available to play. Metro 2033: Wars is a mobile RPG spinoff that is influenced by the likes of XCOM and the first two Fallout titles. It has received fairly positive user reviews since it launched last December.
Updated on 11-10-2016 by Gabe Gurwin: Added additional information based on statement from Deep Silver
