In a recent interview with Japanese publication Real Sound, Metal Gear series producer Noriaki discussed what is next for the Metal Gear Solid franchise following the strong performance of the Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a remake of the classic PS2 title, released in August.
While Konami had attempted to continue the franchise shortly after the departure of series creator Hideo Kojima with Metal Gear Survive, the series has remained mostly dormant following the fallout between Kojima and Konami, serving both as a strong return for the series as well as Konami, leaving several possibilities open for the studio.
Okamura stated in this interview:
Right now, we’re still thinking about what to make next. Since we created an opportunity for new players to experience the Metal Gear series, I do want to continue with it
He continued by stating:
It could be a remake, or we might challenge ourselves by creating a brand new game. The Metal Gear series is part of videogame history, spanning pixel art to cinematic presentation, and so each title requires a different approach to expressing and remaking it. We won’t apply the methodology used to make the recent MGS Delta to all other games in the series — rather we intend to find the best approach for each specific game.
Konami also released this year a new entry in their long-dormant Silent Hill franchise as well, with Silent Hill f, which was similarly well received. This followed the Silent Hill 2 Remake last year and showcased that, while Konami was returning to game development with a string of high-quality remakes, they are also rewarding new ideas, something that several years ago seemed antithetical to their business model. Of course, in the case of Metal Gear Solid, the name was synonymous with Hideo Kojima, so it remains to be seen what, if anything, Konami will produce on that front with a new team.
Okamura addressed this to some degree, discussing how long it took to be in a position to remake what many consider the best in the Metal Gear Solid title. He said of this:
Most of the original staff members had left and the team had been reorganized, however we gathered people together and finally arrived at the point where we could make MGS Delta. As a team, we are confident that we achieved a level of quality that not only preserves the appeal of the original but also that modern players could enjoy. We are currently working out concrete plans for what we are going to do next.
Despite these plans, though, it seems Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will most likely not be the next game to get this treatment. He addressed this by saying:
The hardware back then required very specific designs to get the most out of the 3D technology that was available at the time, so MGS4 ended up with some pretty unique code. It seems like it would be quite a challenge to bring that into the present day.
Currently, Metal Gear Solid 4 is the only entry in the series to be locked to the PlayStation 3, with the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 1. porting all the previous entries in the series, save for some spin-offs, to modern consoles. Rumors have suggested the game will be part of the Vol. 2 line-up, whenever that releases, but as of yet, there is no timeframe on when a Vol. 2 will release or what will be included.
While his statements were specifically referring to his team giving the game the modern gaming treatment, the unique code in question could explain why we have yet to hear of a release for Vol 2. despite the previous entry releasing in 2023. Perhaps, should they solve this issue for the Master Collection, it will open the possibility for Okamura and his team to remake it. This being said, I’m sure the lengthy cutscenes in 4 don’t help matters, with the game featuring one that is 75 minutes long.
Recently, Konami released a poll regarding what game in the Metal Gear series players would most like to see remade, suggesting they are committed to that path in some capacity.
Remember to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Bluesky to keep up to date on everything we have going on!
