Hideo Kojima Perfectly Explained Metal Gear Solid V 10 Years Ago

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Hideo Kojima’s games may seem complex for some players, but he made the core concept of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain clear a decade ago. This video game franchise is highly respected due to its originality and inventiveness. It presents a continuous narrative set over various decades and types of conflict, with Kojima’s ideas forming the heart of each installment. Notably, it’s a franchise that carries strong anti-war and anti-nuclear messages, even giving players the challenge of disarming nuclear weapons in Metal Gear Solid 5 through its online mode. This series manages to convey significant themes while remaining enjoyable and engaging to play.

This week marks the 10th anniversary of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, the last major installment in the series and Hideo Kojima’s final work on the franchise. Initially intended to wrap up the Metal Gear saga, development issues caused him to depart from his studio, resulting in a game that some consider incomplete. Despite this, it remains one of the top-tier stealth-action games, boasting an engaging narrative, despite its shortcomings.

Metal Gear Solid 5‘s Twist Ending Was a Shock

At the launch of Metal Gear Solid 5, some gamers were taken aback by an initial menu option allowing them to create their own unique character. Given that you’re playing as Big Boss, one might wonder why such a feature was necessary. Initially, it seemed this function might be associated with the game’s online features, but its placement at the beginning of the storyline left many questioning its purpose. This enigma was likely to be forgotten until the game’s conclusion, when the revelation unfolded: you weren’t controlling Big Boss; instead, you were commanding Venom Snake, a custom character who had undergone surgical alterations and brainwashing, leading him to believe he truly embodied the legendary figure himself.

In the events of Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes, it’s revealed that Venom Snake is actually a medic who was onboard the helicopter that injured Big Boss. This disguise allowed the real Big Boss to execute his own mission without drawing unnecessary attention. This twist, though seemingly complex, had significant impacts on subsequent Metal Gear Solid games like Metal Gear Solid 4. Some fans found this revelation perplexing and even frustrating, but Kojima clarified the narrative soon after release, making the storyline more coherent.

Hideo Kojima Explains Metal Gear Solid 5‘s Story

In a tweet from September 2015, Kojima stated that “Metal Gear Solid 5” frees Snake from his destiny, and by handing control to the player (previously tied to Snake), they can complete the legend. This separation shouldn’t result in an unbearable pain, but rather a vacant space that encourages players to keep progressing due to the empty space left behind.

Kojima is essentially conveying that this Metal Gear Solid tale has reached its conclusion, one where the player takes center stage as Venom Snake. This means you’ve become a legend by being an integral part of the story. However, it’s time for everyone to move forward after this ending, not because there will be another chapter or idea, but rather for fans to grapple with the finality of this saga and eventually let go.

Reflecting on the current situation, it’s intriguing to note that after Konami remade Metal Gear Solid 3, there are indications they might create more games within this series. Whether they will continue with Big Boss or Solid Snake is yet unknown, but it appears likely that a new game in the Metal Gear franchise could be released in the future, regardless of Kojima’s involvement. Some fans have expressed reluctance towards a Kojima-absent Metal Gear Solid game, but the almighty dollar often influences decisions, and Konami seems poised to follow its lead.

What did you think of Metal Gear Solid 5? Let me know in the comments.

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2025-09-04 23:13