That One Metal Gear Solid Game Many Fans Overlooked

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The Metal Gear Solid series is renowned for its intricate and complex storyline, featuring numerous characters and interconnected plots. These distinctive narratives, combined with exceptional gameplay mechanics, regularly produce gaming experiences that continue to be relevant and impactful, an achievement not commonly seen in today’s video games.

Hideo Kojima’s works remain significant today, and the remake of “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater” serves as a testament to this fact. As the foundation story for the franchise, it established The Big Boss as its central character, featuring a journey filled with unexpected turns and laying the groundwork for numerous plotlines that would reappear in subsequent games.

Another title, known more commonly as Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (MPO), picked up where the story left off following Naked Snake’s adventures post-Snake Eater. This game was initially launched for the PlayStation Portable in 2006. Among all PSP titles, MPO truly shines due to several distinctive features. In fact, it could be worthwhile for a remake after Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.

Instead of letting it slip unnoticed amidst other titles in the established series, let’s explore why this particular one deserves attention and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Setting up Success

We’re keen on remaking MPO because it continues Naked Snake’s journey towards becoming Big Boss following the events of Snake Eater. This tale stands independently, but its importance stems from how it advances the series’ narrative in various ways.

In this game, the setting is 1970, only six years following Naked Snake’s involvement in Operation Snake Eater, which left him disillusioned with military affairs. Throughout the story, we encounter the FOX unit and their deception, leading to Naked Snake reaching out to unexpected allies as a consequence. This plot structure effectively portrays Naked Snake’s motivations for embracing the role of Big Boss more closely, intensifying the emotions he experienced after The Boss’ demise.

In this rephrased version, Naked Snake, who was wrongfully accused of a crime he didn’t commit, reunites with old associates such as Major Zero, Para-Medic, Sigint, along with some unexpected ones like Roy Campbell and Null (later revealed to be Gray Fox). This union not only enhances the game’s narrative coherence but also links it seamlessly to the overarching franchise storyline. Moreover, it serves as an effective method for introducing new game mechanics, thus integrating the plot and gameplay into a comprehensive whole that players can easily follow.

As I dive into this game, it offers an intriguing peek behind the scenes of the FOX unit, highlighting Naked Snake’s commanding skills – a dimension his backstory didn’t fully explore on its own. Notably, there’s Metal Gear, the series’ inaugural installment, and a cast of heavy-hitters like Python and Gene who significantly contribute to the game. Particularly, the relationship between Gene and Snake is crucial to the Metal Gear Saga as a whole, a factor that will undeniably shape Snake’s journey in upcoming games.

One significant element that the game MPO explores further is the enigma known as The Philosopher’s Legacy, a historical artifact central to the narrative. With half of it under the control of the U.S. administration, various factions are keen on dismantling the secretive group responsible for its possession. One such faction includes Ocelot, son of The Boss, who was once a key adversary to Naked Snake in the game Snake Eater. In terms of its connection to the franchise’s backstory, MPO serves as an expansion on the storylines leading to Naked Snake’s transformation into Big Boss – a role he would later assume in Peace Walker.

Despite some disagreement over whether events in Metal Gear Online (MPO) are considered canonical due to Kojima’s limited role as producer, this game still offers intriguing insights into a character that has been a recurring figure throughout the series. If Konami were to bring it up-to-date for current gaming platforms, it could prove beneficial for them.

Since Konami has incorporated the game’s developments into its Master Book series, which provides a comprehensive timeline of the overall story, it strengthens the narrative of MPO and may provide justification for the time and resources required for a remake.

The inclusion of the game’s developments in Konami’s Master Book series, which outlines the entire storyline, bolsters MPO’s narrative and offers reasons for undertaking a remake.

However, the story is only one part of why MPO can and must be brought back into the fold.

The Makings of a Great Leader

Apart from the MPO story offering an immersive journey into the franchise’s backstory, it also delivers an enjoyable stealth-action experience. It strongly echoes the gameplay dynamics of Snake Eater, yet innovatively builds upon these foundations in a way that aligns with its narrative, all while maintaining an engaging gameplay style.

As a dedicated fan, I’d express it like this: “I find that the game enhances an already immersive experience by having me, as Naked Snake, gather allies to aid me in missions. Each mission calls for a handpicked team of experts, each with distinct skills, making the game encourage a thoughtful, strategic approach even more than previous installments in the series.

Acquiring new teammates isn’t a leisurely stroll, that’s for sure! Capturing or incapacitating opponents with tranquilizers doesn’t guarantee they’ll join your side automatically. Instead, you need to either move them to a vehicle or to a hidden team member who can then ensure their safe transfer. A few days in the game later, these new recruits will be ready to infuse their distinctive mayhem into each mission.

If you found that intriguing, there’s even more to discover. Keep in mind that your recruits are replaceable and it’s crucial to choose wisely the missions they take on. Although key characters often have plot protection, others may not be so fortunate, so you’ll need to plan carefully when deciding who to bring along on your missions. On a positive note, members of a certain faction can find infiltration easier in territories once controlled by their former allies.

Introducing yet another fresh twist to the recruitment system is the feature that allows you to leverage the PSP’s built-in GPS or Wi-Fi features during the game’s launch to broaden your team in specific geographical locations! In essence, MPO brings a host of innovative tweaks to the main gameplay mechanics of the franchise, thereby offering an engaging and thrilling gameplay experience.

Some elements from this game were later incorporated into other “Metal Gear Solid” series, like the Mother Base feature in “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker” and the forward operating bases in “Metal Gear Solid V.” These features are significant as they form the basis for these later games. The fact that they appear in future installments of the franchise is a testament to their quality, and it would be wise for Konami to consider remaking this game based on this evidence.

Given its strong foundation in expanding the series’ storyline and mechanics, “MPO” seems an ideal choice for Konami’s upcoming remake. This would help maintain consistency within the franchise while demonstrating its full potential to a fresh group of gamers.

Keeping Up With the Times

In simpler terms, the game’s audio and visuals were impressive for a 2006 release. Bringing back voice actors from Snake Eater was a smart move by Konami, as their performances really shone. Ashley Wood’s designs were also spot-on. The graphics did a great job of making the game feel realistic, and a remake could potentially make it even more stunning if it ever happens.

In the original MPO for PSP, the absence of a right analog stick necessitated Konami to think creatively about how players could detect enemy locations. A remake would eliminate this issue entirely, giving the studio the opportunity to redesign the experience with an extra level of convenience and interactivity. This could potentially transform the way players engage with the game.

As a devoted Metal Gear Solid fan, I can’t help but feel a pang of regret that such an outstanding embodiment of what makes this game series so special is confined to a handheld device that’s starting to show its age. However, with the right touch, Metal Gear Survive (MPO) could serve as an ideal platform for Konami to breathe new life into this beloved franchise.

It’s also a chance to refine and polish it even more, similar to “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.” If the studio were to resurface MPO, both long-time fans of the series and newcomers would eagerly welcome more escapades of Naked Snake. Just thinking about playing it on a PS5 sends shivers down our spines!

We’re eagerly anticipating that Konami shares our perspective, and perhaps, Naked Snake will battle against renegade FOX members with the modern-day features we’ve grown accustomed to in games. Regarding remakes, _Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops_ certainly has a lot of potential!

Keep in mind that the opinions expressed within this piece are solely those of the writer and may not align with the collective standpoint of GamingBolt.

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2025-08-07 18:27