Metal Gear Games Don’t Feel Right Without Hideo Kojima

The Metal Gear franchise is an often discussed gaming series, largely thanks to the visionary mind of Hideo Kojima. Lately, it seems like Konami is interested in diving back into it as well with the remake Metal Gear Solid Delta, albeit without Kojima’s involvement. However, it doesn’t feel right somehow to continute Metal Gear without Kojima at the helm.

Kojima’s footprint on the gaming landscape as a result of Metal Gear is massive. He created a rich and interesting world filled with compelling characters, complex narratives, and groundbreaking gameplay mechanics. While people surely crave more Metal Gear, it’s hard to imagine new titles without his touch adding anything substantial to and building upon his legacy. I mean, consider what happened with Metal Gear Survive.

I’m not entirely sold on the idea of another Metal Gear game either with or without him, however. How many more tales can we wring out of Big Boss or Solid Snake? Sometimes, stories just reach their natural conclusion. People can have a hard time accepting that. Sure, there’s the option of exploring new characters or settings, like Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance did. And let’s not forget, Kojima wasn’t exactly front and center for that one either. Yet, it became a cult classic. One could argue there’s a recipe for success still lurking behind the scenes.

But while Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is undeniably awesome, it’s not exactly what you’d call a traditional Metal Gear game. It doesn’t really carry on the spirit of it at all. Sure, it’s got some of the weirdness and humor, but I consider it to be it’s own thing. This is an action-focused romp that pushes the limits and often embraces absurdity. You could strip away all the Metal Gear elements, and it would affect very little of the overall game and its tone.

Even Kojima himself moved on from Metal Gear. Death Stranding is a masterpiece in its own right. While you can see some of his signature touches that remind people of past works, such as characters, political commentary, and humor, it’s a far cry from the Metal Gear universe. As a longtime fan of Kojima and Metal Gear, I’m inclined to agree that his moving on with this and other projects is the ideal scenario and natural progression of things. Kojima is like the game developer equivalent of an auteur film director. Just like the best directors, he’s not happy to churn out the same thing over and over again.

Just like Kojima, top directors have their own flair and vibe, shaping fresh experiences with each film. Look at Martin Scorsese. He’s made plenty of crime movies, yet each one has its own unique feel. However, each is also unmistakably Scorsese. Kojima and his projects function in the same way. He doesn’t want to beat dead horses or make the same game five times. Yet, we could see new games with similar sorts of elements or atmospheres that end up being groundbreaking in their own way. We know he’s working on Physint, a Metal Gear series successor, but it will likely embrace action, adventure, and espionage in its own way.

I don’t think we need any new Metal Gear games either with or without Hideo Kojima. Let him keep cooking up his new games and trying new things. Everyone gets what they want that way. You can play all the Metal Gear games that already exist and are already incredible any time you miss the series. You can also enjoy Kojima’s sensibilities in his new games. Not that it matters, given it seems the only thing Konami probably plans to do is just churn out remakes.