10 Theories About the Future of Metal Gear Solid

10 Theories About the Future of Metal Gear Solid

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we are looking at 10 Theories About the Future of Metal Gear Solid. We’re seeing a massive renaissance for one of the most beloved series of all time. With remakes and remasters getting dropped with the expectation for more, as well as the creator of the series parting ways with the publishers and owners of the IP, the future is unclear, but that doesn’t mean we can’t wonder.

The New Metal Gear

Now that Hideo Kojima has parted ways with Konami, we can’t see him being a part of any Metal Gear game in the future, if Konami goes ahead with a new installment and new story, it will be all in their hands. That doesn’t mean we can’t expect anything from Kojima though. Death Stranding was as far away from MGS as a game gets, though not without its constant references, and some thematic and world building similarities. Kojima recently tweeted about a new project PHYSINT, stating “PHYSINT (working title)” will be the third, new original IP since the establishment of KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS. It is a completely new “Action Espionage” for the next-generation. It will be created using cutting-edge technology and the best talents from around the world, both from film and video games.” Many expect this to be the jumping point for MGS fans to follow the feeling of Metal Gear from Konami, to Kojima Productions, and although it won’t technically be a Metal Gear game, we can expect it to be a spiritual successor, from a man who (probably) misses Solid Snake.

Metal Gear Solid 6

When it comes to a successful series, it’s only natural that the first thing going through people's minds is “when is the next installment?” Metal Gear Solid is one of the most storied franchises in gaming, but it's now held captive by Konami, a company that's a shell of its former self, with the brain behind MGS, Hideo Kojima, long departed and working on other projects. This isn’t to suggest that the series is dead however, as there are many theories that Konami is working very hard behind the scenes to build the writing team in order to carry on the legacy left by Kojima. The problem behind this ambitious project is, it’s essentially like someone other than Tarantino making Kill Bill Vol 3, and Tarantino not approving of the project. Tough sell. That being said, many people don’t realize Kojima had nothing to do with Metal Gear Rising, and that’s widely considered a success in the series.

Metal Gear Rising 2

One of the directions Metal Gear could head could be creating a second entry to the beloved Metal Gear Rising. Metal Gear Rising holds the distinction of serving as the chronological conclusion to the franchise. Despite debates about its canonicity, the narrative, led by Etsu Tamari, unfolds four years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 4. By continuing from Rising, creators eliminate the risk of disrupting the established canon, granting them unrestricted freedom to craft their desired narrative. This would allow for fan boys to not tear apart its connection to an older narrative, and create new characters who can have their own rhythm that doesn’t need to live up to anything previously established. When it comes to a new game in the universe with a new story, Metal Gear Rising 2 is the most likely to be a knock-out.

Metal Gear Solid 1 Remake

Long before the idea of a Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake even being in the works, fans have been asking for a top to bottom remake of the beloved Metal Gear Solid 1.There was an early leak suggesting a Metal Gear Solid Remake was in production, which made 100% of fans incorrectly assume it was for the original game. It was a shock, albeit a good shock, when we learned that the remake coming was for MGS3 (the game widely considered the best in the series). That doesn’t mean however that we aren’t still ridiculously excited for what this could mean for the series, with many theorizing that an MGS1 remake is inevitable should the MGS3 remake resonate with fans, and prove profitable for Konami.

Stories Left to Tell

In the Metal Gear canon, there is plenty of room for more stories, with some of the most infamous events in Metal Gear only being covered in dialogue. When it comes to Metal Gear Solid 6, or even a spin-off game, we have the opportunity to follow our old protagonists and fill some holes. When it comes to Big Boss, we could quite easily dive straight back into a sequel to MGSV that fills the gaps between MGSV and Metal Gear, meet a young Solid Snake, and witness the building of Outer Heaven. When it comes to Solid Snake, wouldn’t we all love to see what happened between Metal Gear Solid 2 and 4? Raiden and Snake teaming up to save Sonny? Wouldn’t we all love that?? COME ON, GUYS, LET’S START A PETITION!

‘Delta’ means ‘Change’

As the Greek letter for change, many players believe that Delta is a subtle message to players to say that the MGS3 remake is setting the series up for a retelling that may change a couple of things. Change is not always a bad thing, and change can mean a LOT. We know they're using the original dialogue, so they can’t change much of the story flow, but by remaking the earliest canonical entry in the series, this means they could still streamline the story from the beginning to make it clearer, or even omit details and fix plot holes. The change seems inevitable, that ‘Delta’ hanging in the air like a conspiracy theorist's wet dream, and I for one, am feeling very wet - EW, I hate myself.

Metal Gear Solid 2 Remake

There have been rumors circulating since the Metal Gear Solid 3 Delta Remake announcement that should this initial remake prove successful, Konami will continue remaking the numbered entries (Much like Resident Evil did with 2, 3 and 4). With a Metal Gear Solid 1 remake almost inevitable based on clear interest from both Konami and gamers, fans assume Konami is working hard towards an eventual MGS2 remake, turning easily one of the best games in the series into a modern masterpiece. Of course, this will be years down the line, and by that point, they may even consider finishing off the numbered remakes with a Metal Gear Solid 4 Remake. Let’s start with 3, and see what happens!

The Boss Spin-Off

Putting Snake into the position of a supporting character is a risky maneuver, but look at how successful MGS2 was at introducing a new lead character. Many speculate that touching these beloved characters without Kojima could be a recipe for disaster, and that Konami would be better off tackling a new story as a spin-off with smaller characters who have stories worth exploring. Players have said for many years that a MGS game set during WWII following The Boss and her Cobra Unit has crazy potential, and it’s not the craziest idea we’ve heard today! This project could be easily tackled without Kojima, with new characters being introduced or old characters being fleshed out in an established universe. Even without The Boss taking the lead as protagonist, a story following The Sorrow could be equally enjoyable, as he is one of the only members of The Cobras without a fully explored personality, leaving room for interpretation and exploration.

The Master Collection Vol 2

After the release of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 1, which included for modern consoles Metal Gear 1 and 2, Metal Gear Solid 1, 2 and 3 as well as a handful of smaller titles and inclusions, players were intrigued by that ‘Vol 1’ which insinuated there would be more volumes. Well, players have speculated for a long time about the FINAL re-release of Metal Gear Solid 4, and after a recent possible leak, rumors are flying that The Master Collection 2 will FINALLY bring MGS4 to consoles outside the PS3. The leak suggests that the Master Collection Vol 2 will also include MGS Peace Walker, and MGSV, as a bundle. Admittedly, it’s not as much bang for your buck, so hopefully the price will be heavily reduced if other content isn’t included.

There Is No Future

One of the biggest theories about the future of Metal Gear, is a little more miserable. With the failure of Metal Gear Survive, the first entry made without Kojima, many players believe that Konami will not create any new stories within the MGS universe and instead just focus on ports, re-releases, and remakes moving forward. Possibly an online-only game as well. The unfortunate truth, whether or not you are a Hideo Kojima fan boy, is that without him and his very particular way of telling stories, telling a new story with HIS characters could be detrimental to the company's already wavering reputation.