Metal Gear Solid 5 Being Unfinished Still Stings 10 Years Later

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The video game titled “Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain” is celebrating its tenth anniversary and stands out as an unusual, one-of-a-kind title due to its incomplete nature. In contemporary gaming terminology, an “unfinished” game refers to one filled with glitches, omitted gameplay elements, and a sense of disorder. However, “Metal Gear Solid 5” presents a unique case as the game itself features an unfinished narrative. While there is technically a conclusion to the storyline, it seems hurried in wrapping up plotlines, which can be attributed to the presence of significant cut content within the game.

The creation process of Metal Gear Solid 5 was fraught with difficulties, symbolizing the close of a significant era. This game signified the finale of a prolonged collaboration between Konami and director Hideo Kojima, which unfolded into an emotionally charged narrative that continued for a year. Despite neither side openly discussing it, probably due to confidentiality agreements and a need to maintain professionalism publicly, this behind-the-scenes turmoil potentially hindered the development of a true masterpiece and negatively impacted Konami’s public image.

Kojima’s Fallout With Konami Impacted MGS5

In December 2012, a game called The Phantom Pain was unveiled without the traditional Metal Gear Solid label. This mystery game came from a new studio called Moby Dick Games. Though it didn’t carry the Metal Gear Solid name initially, fans picked up on hints in the trailer and soon realized it was part of the series. A couple of months later, it was officially confirmed as the next installment in the Metal Gear Solid series, and Kojima announced that an open-world prequel titled Ground Zeroes would precede it, launching in March 2014.

In this new formulation, the sentence conveys that the project was a grand endeavor due to the increased complexity of Metal Gear Solid, yet the plan was clear and Konami appeared to be encouraging. At around the same period, Konami authorized a fresh Silent Hill game from Hideo Kojima, hinting at it through a cryptic PS4 demo titled “PT“. It seemed that Konami was fully backing Kojima, providing support for what he anticipated would be his concluding Metal Gear title and assuming control of one of the most esteemed horror series in the industry.

In spring 2015, an unusual series of events unfolded. Konami initially announced that Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain would be released in September of that year. However, they followed up with a corporate restructuring, which led to some unexpected changes. Specifically, the logo and name of Kojima Productions were removed from the packaging of not only The Phantom Pain but also Ground Zeroes, a game previously released, as well as a collection of previous games in the series on PS3. As a prominent figure in gaming, Hideo Kojima’s titles often carried his signature, much like a filmmaker marking their films. Yet, Konami chose to remove all traces of this without providing an explanation.

Rumors spread stating that a power dispute arose between Konami and Kojima after the launch of Metal Gear Solid 5, leading to Kojima and several key employees from Kojima Productions departing. GameSpot alleged that during this period, Kojima and his team were downgraded from permanent staff to contractors, and the rest of the studio faced limitations on internet usage, email communication, and phone calls – essentially, they found themselves operating under strict control which was far from pleasant.

About a month ago, Konami took drastic measures, removing “PT” from the PlayStation store and ultimately cancelling “Silent Hills.” Sadly, even if I had previously downloaded “PT,” I couldn’t re-download it. Konami seemed intent on wiping out any trace of the Kojima-led horror project, leaving us fans quite frustrated by their actions.

Last August, I learned that the spirit at Kojima Productions, now privately known as “Number 8 Production Department,” was running low. It seemed like cameras were put in place to keep tabs on workers, employees who took longer lunches were publicly reprimanded, and internet access was completely cut off. Essentially, we were all working in solitude. The game was slated for release in September 2015, receiving tremendous acclaim, but fans couldn’t help but feel that it lacked some essential elements. To add to the disappointment, Kojima himself was barred by Konami from attending The Game Awards in December to celebrate his creation and accept awards for Metal Gear Solid 5.

It seems there’s been quite a shift in direction at Konami, with the company focusing more on mobile gaming rather than console games, which may have led to Kojima’s departure. During this period, Konami almost entirely halted the production of significant console games for nearly a decade, instead focusing on PES and some minor titles or re-releases. Notably, the popular franchises Silent Hill, Castlevania, and Metal Gear Solid saw no new releases during this time.

There’s been talk that there might have been disagreements about the budget for Metal Gear Solid 5. Given that the game is said to have cost over $80 million, which is quite significant for a well-liked but more specialized series like Metal Gear Solid, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that Konami might not have wanted to spend any more money on it. It’s possible they set a firm deadline for the game and instructed Kojima to finish it no matter what, even if it meant working under tight time constraints.

MGS5 Will Forever Remain Incomplete

The game “Metal Gear Solid 5” initially had an incomplete story, leaving fans wanting more. To make up for it, a bonus Blu-ray disc was included with the collector’s edition, featuring a 20-minute video of “Episode 51.” This segment would have unfolded after Skull Face’s death, showing Big Boss engaging with his son, Eli (also known as Liquid Snake), and other child soldiers to recover Sahelanthropus from an occupied island. The video showcased unfinished scenes, artwork, and voiceovers, but due to time constraints, it was ultimately abandoned. This content seems crucial to the storyline, and its new setting and fresh concepts hint at a significant amount of work being required for completion. It’s also believed that this might not be the only cut content from the game.

In Metal Gear Solid 5, the second part of the game appears to reuse missions from the first half but with increased difficulty. These missions are accompanied by new cutscenes, yet remain largely similar to what you’ve already experienced. This unusual approach suggests that the development team had to trim down missions for Chapter 2, and instead chose to continue the story through cutscenes. It seems as though Kojima and his team were pressed for time during production, leading them to essentially reuse portions of the game to bridge any gaps in content.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve heard whispers and speculation about Metal Gear Solid 5. There’s a strong belief among us that the game may have secretly included a third chapter titled “Peace.” Some theorize it was merely a sign of the game’s conclusion, while others propose it could be unlocked by achieving total nuclear disarmament in the online mode, hinting at a hidden cutscene. This theory has sparked a great deal of discussion among fans, but so far, it seems we’ve hit a dead end in our quest for answers.

The reality is, due to a strict deadline, Metal Gear Solid 5 wasn’t able to fully realize Kojima and his team’s initial vision. Even if a third installment comes along, it won’t suddenly fill in the gaps that were left unfinished. If it could, someone would have found a way to add more content, and Chapter 2 likely wouldn’t have felt as disjointed as it did.

Surprisingly enough, Metal Gear Solid 5 received an abundance of acclaim. It boasted impressive reviews, took home several awards, and is often lauded as one of the best action games due to its smooth gameplay. In recent years, Konami has been revisiting and enhancing Metal Gear Solid titles, so there’s speculation that Metal Gear Solid 5 might receive additional content in a future rerelease. However, given the ongoing work required to resolve content issues and Hideo Kojima no longer collaborating with Konami, such an outcome seems improbable. For now, we are left with this seemingly unfinished gem.

The narrative was rich with innovative concepts and deep themes, yet it fell short of its full potential, leaving fans disappointed. It appears we were on the brink of creating something extraordinary, only for it to falter at the final stretch. Although the timeframe and feasibility of completing Metal Gear Solid 5 may remain uncertain, the end result still leaves a lingering sense of disappointment as a fan, regardless of the reasons behind its outcome.

What’s the Future of Metal Gear?

Although there’s been speculation that Metal Gear Solid 6 may never materialize without Hideo Kojima, it appears unlikely. Given that Konami holds the intellectual property and has developed Metal Gear games even in his absence, albeit with varying levels of success, the franchise seems poised to continue. The recent successful remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 and the mention of grooming a fresh team of developers to work on more games in the series suggests that the series will persist in some form.

It’s highly unlikely that Hideo Kojima will return to the Metal Gear Solid series, given his current focus on his own independent studio and aversion towards revisiting older projects like Death Stranding sequels. His recent laughter at the prospect of playing a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 further solidifies this sentiment. With numerous opportunities for creative freedom outside of Konami, it seems that Kojima is more inclined to explore new territories rather than revisiting his past works.

The Phantom Pain carries a unique sense of irony. As a game that explores the sensation of a missing limb and its accompanying pain, it paradoxically suffers from a similar absence in content – a phantom pain of its own. This unintended masterstroke by Kojima could potentially be one of his deepest artistic expressions, regardless of whether he intended it or not.

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2025-09-02 01:14