METRO Redux Receives Free Next-Gen Update Ahead of 2039 Launch

Key points

• The update is free for existing owners of METRO 2033 Redux and METRO Last Light Redux.
• It supports true 4K at 60fps and upscaled 4K at 120fps on next-gen consoles.
• Visual improvements include refined lighting, detailed textures, and enhanced animations.
• The update adds support for Xbox Impulse Triggers and Xbox Ally devices.
• METRO 2039 is scheduled for release on February 4, 2027.

Background

The METRO franchise has been active since 2010, with over 50 million players exploring its post-apocalyptic Moscow setting. The series is developed by 4A Games, a studio founded in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2005. Recent industry developments include the tape-out of next-generation console chips for PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix, which are expected to launch in late 2027. The current update serves as a bridge to the upcoming METRO 2039 installment.

How outlets are covering it

Xbox Wire emphasizes the immersive tactile feedback provided by Xbox Impulse Triggers and the accessibility of the update via Xbox Play Anywhere. GamingTrend highlights the update as a definitive way to experience the series on both Xbox and PlayStation 5, noting the free cost for existing owners. Games Press confirms the update's availability across multiple PC platforms, including Steam and Epic Games Store, and notes that 4A Games continues development in Ukraine and Malta. GameGPU focuses on the upcoming METRO 2039, predicting it will require high-end hardware like the GeForce RTX 4090 due to the integration of NVIDIA DLSS 5 and path tracing, contrasting with the current update's focus on existing hardware optimization.

Why it matters

The update modernizes a classic franchise for current hardware, ensuring the series remains relevant ahead of its next major installment. It demonstrates 4A Games' commitment to maintaining the quality of its back catalog while preparing for the resource-intensive METRO 2039, which is expected to push hardware limits with advanced neural rendering technologies.

What to watch

Players can download the free update immediately on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The next major milestone is the release of METRO 2039 on February 4, 2027, which is expected to feature advanced graphics technologies like DLSS 5 and path tracing, potentially requiring high-end graphics cards for optimal performance.