In a stunning display of pent-up demand, Ukrainian developer 4A Games and publisher Deep Silver have announced that Metro 2039 has accumulated one million wishlist additions within only two weeks of its official announcement.
The milestone, confirmed by the studio via social media on April 30, sets a blistering pace for the first-person survival horror shooter ahead of its planned release in winter 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
To put this figure into perspective, reaching a seven-figure wishlist count this quickly places Metro 2039 in the upper echelon of anticipated PC launches, historically rivaling the early traction of AAA blockbusters. For a series that last saw a mainline entry with Metro Exodus in 2019, the statistic indicates that the franchise has not only retained its core audience but has significantly expanded it during the seven-year hiatus.
The intense interest is driven by a radical shift in the game’s narrative and creative direction. Metro 2039 introduces a new protagonist, a fully voiced hermit known only as “The Stranger,” moving away from series veteran Artyom. The story returns to the oppressive claustrophobia of the Moscow Metro, which has now been consolidated under a fascist dictatorship known as the “Novoreich,” led by the returning character Hunter.
Crucially, the development of this entry has been deeply influenced by real-world events. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 4A Games scrapped the original concept and rebuilt the story from a Ukrainian perspective.
Executive Producer Jon Bloch confirmed that everything the team had planned changed in 2022, with Creative Director Andriy ‘mLs’ Shevchenko stating that the war has shaped the narrative to focus specifically on “choices, actions, consequences, and what you have to pay to have a future.”
Building on the proprietary 4A Engine, the developers are emphasizing psychological horror over simple action. Co-creative director Pavel Ulmer noted that the team is “not romanticizing the post-apocalypse,” aiming for a grittier, more realistic portrayal of survival. The script is being co-written by original novel author Dmitry Glukhovsky, who is currently living in exile from Russia.
With the launch still several months away, the one-million milestone provides a strong forecast for winter sales.
Industry analysts suggest that wishlist velocity is a primary indicator of day-one purchase intent, suggesting Metro 2039 is on track to outperform Exodus at launch. However, 4A Games faces the challenge of maintaining this momentum and meeting heightened fan expectations, especially given the recent cancellation of a 120 GB build of an older version of the game that leaked shortly before the reveal.
As the winter 2026 window approaches, all eyes will be on 4A Games to see if the final product can deliver on the dark, politically charged vision that has resonated so powerfully with millions of players.
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