Highlights
- Metal Gear Solid franchise was left in limbo post-Kojima’s departure in 2015, but a revival is now on the horizon with a remake of MGS 3.
- Fans have high hopes for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, which promises to update graphics and gameplay to modern AAA standards.
- Konami should learn from past remake mistakes from The Twin Snakes and preserve Hideo Kojima’s original vision for a potential MGS 1 remake.
The future of the Metal Gear franchise was left up in the air after its creator, Hideo Kojima, unceremoniously departed from Konami in 2015. Following this highly publicized split, the series received a new installment in 2018 titled Metal Gear Survive, but this spin-off title was received so poorly that the franchise went on hiatus indefinitely as a result. This led to many fans being convinced that the Metal Gear series was as good as dead. After all, as Konami shifted away from AAA console development in favor of prioritizing mobile games and free-to-play titles, the chances of the series being revived became less and less likely.
However, when Konami announced in 2023 that it was working on a remake of MGS 3 titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, the fortunes of the franchise were suddenly reversed. In the following months, the Japanese publisher revealed that this updated version of the seminal 2004 classic would not only keep the original game’s level design and story intact, but it’d also revamp its graphics and gameplay to align with modern AAA standards. Based on the promising information shared about Metal Gear Solid Delta so far, it looks like the title could live up to fans’ expectations. If Konami does indeed handle this game right, then it should also give other entries in the MGS series the same remake treatment, especially Metal Gear Solid 1.
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6 Metal Gear Games That Could Use A Remake
After Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Konami should green-light these remake projects.
Metal Gear Solid 1 is in Need of a Remake More Than Other Entries in the Series
The original Metal Gear Solid was one of the most influential games of its time. When it came out on the PS1 in 1998, it blew people away with its thrilling, stealth-focused gameplay and its cinematic approach to storytelling. The game sold seven million copies worldwide and is still regarded by many as the best installment in the Metal Gear franchise to this day.
However, Metal Gear Solid has aged poorly compared to its contemporaries. Unlike later mainline entries in the MG series, the game used an isometric camera angle akin to a 2D game and featured incredibly rudimentary facial animations. Though the game’s graphics were impressive at the time, they look very dated nowadays, even more so than titles like Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty on the PS2. As such, it’s clear that MGS 1 would benefit greatly from a remake.
MGS 1 Received a Divisive Remake in the Past That Konami Should Avoid Repeating The Mistakes Of
That being said, the original Metal Gear Solid has already been remade. Back in 2004, Konami released a title called Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube. The game was a reimagining of the first MGS that made some major changes to the classic PlayStation 1 title. Not only did it significantly enhance the graphics, but it also added new cutscenes, additional story content, and various gameplay mechanics. While The Twin Snakes was mostly well-received and provided a serviceable way to experience MGS 1, the changes made in the remake were fairly divisive; so much so, in fact, that some even claimed that they diluted Hideo Kojima’s vision from the original PS1 game.
If Metal Gear Solid does get another remake, Konami should avoid repeating the same mistakes it made with The Twin Snakes. Instead, it should take inspiration from MGS Delta: Snake Eater, and avoid messing with the game’s story and cinematic direction. Additionally, an MGS 1 remake should also give players the ability to switch between modern and old-school control schemes if they so desire.
An MGS 1 Remake Could Already Be in Development
It’s likely that a hypothetical Metal Gear Solid 1 remake is dependent on the success of MGS: Delta. However, recent rumors have suggested that such a game may already be in the early stages of development and could be targeting a release on current-gen platforms in the near future. Hopefully, these reports are true, because it would be a dream come true to see the original Metal Gear Solid receive a modern overhaul, especially one that remains as faithful to the title as possible.