Kojima and Solid Snake have come a long way since the late 90’s and the duo have only become stronger in every way. The dynamic collaboration between Konami and Kojima Productions have seen incredible results and a very loyal and strong fan base. Thirteen years later, Hideo Kojima has taken a look back in a recent interview to reflect on each of his four main entries in the Metal Gear Solid franchise.

From the very beginning, after MGS was released Kojima knew that his fate with the PlayStation system was etched in stone. The final product, according to Kojima, was more than exceptional.

Take a look back at the very first trailer for Metal Gear Solid:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HMoMRAPico

The recent release of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection has brought new feelings toward a remake, but Kojima sees it as an improvement of graphics rather than changing anything. Hideo also takes a few notes from George Lucas in terms of remakes versus remastering:

Looking back at Metal Gear Solid, there is indeed some signs of aging and interesting choices of gameplay with above the action camera angles. However, while Kojima makes no promise of remaking the game, it is interesting that he didn’t include the original in the MGS HD Collection - maybe he does want to remake it? (The original is available on the PSN network.)

Two years later and an impressively increased budget, Kojima unleashed a nine-minute trailer for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty that received explosions of excitement at 2000’s E3. The dramatically improved game — that was released in 2001 — brought a whole new level of gameplay and graphics that would serve as a shining star on the PlayStation 2.

After revisiting the sequel with MGS HD Collection, Kojima admits that it was quite difficult going back to an old system of gameplay.

Check out the E3 2000 trailer for Metal Gear Solid 2:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7aBSUAozE

Concluding a most successful run with MGS2, the world would learn the truth and the back story behind Big Boss with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Released on the PS2, this new entry to the franchise - removing Snake from the enclosure of a cold metal base environment, the main protagonist was thrown into the unforgiving arms of the Soviet jungle.

MGS3 took the idea of infiltration and stealth to a whole new level. Camouflage and survival tactics were the most notable additions and some of the most rewarding contributions to the series yet. You literally had to blend into environments in order to survive. Not only did gamers have to become fashionistas, but they had to learn how to medically fix wounds and mind their food consumption. These added elements to the series only increased the bond between gamer and Snake.

Metal Gear Solid 3 was also added to the remastered MGS HD Collection - and Kojima believes that this entry was the easiest to enhance:

Watch the trailer for Metal Gear Solid 3:

“There’s nothing too difficult — it already had a 3D camera that you could control, so it was easy to get back into that. I think the thing that you feel most is how the controls have aged.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxGUPVB3-ZE

Now after three very successful games, how would Kojima surprise anyone in the gaming community? How about creating one of the most cinematically rich experiences ever to be played on the PlayStation 3? Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots not only delivered Raiden as the sword-wielding badass that we may or may not get in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, but the game also brought an amazing story and intense gameplay.

Utilizing story arcs, gameplay, and characters from every previous entries as well as bringing players back to Shadow Moses, MGS4 is, for many, a masterpiece. But how does Kojima feel he did with the critically acclaimed fourth entry to the franchise? Not good. How could a game with so many positive reviews not live up to the creators own expectations?

What has Kojima learned from all of his experiences leading up to MGS4? Where did Kojima gone wrong? It is definitely not a stand alone game, but perhaps he would have liked to have developed more in terms of story or gave players more time to play rather than deliver stellar graphics or loads of cut scenes?

Relive Metal Gear Solid 4 in an all-too awesome trailer from E3 2007:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L33CLNWXTdg

So where will we see the master of tactical espionage action, Hideo Kojima, go from here? The spin-off, Metal Gear Rising, is not pleasing fans as much as one would expect right now, even with developers strongly backing it up, but perhaps that is due to Kojima not behind the driver’s seat. If Revengeance fails, it could hurt the name Metal Gear but only a little - since it is a spin-off rather than a sequel/prequel.

Of course, many loyal fans to the Metal Gear Solid franchise are holding on to hope of a potential Metal Gear Solid 5. Although Kojima has stated that he will have to make a MGS5 and that he has thrown ideas around for the next entry, there is still nothing set in stone. One could only hope that we will see Kojima follow through on his word and join Solid Snake again on his plight to rid the world of war.

Ranters, now that we have looked back on the Metal Gear Solid franchise with Hideo Kojima, which is your favorite MGS entry? If it happens, where would you like to see the franchise head after Revengeance?

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Source: PlayStation Magazine: Article 1, Article 2, Article 3, & Article 4

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