Metal Gear Solid (1998): A Landmark in Gaming History

Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid (MGS), released in 1998 for the Sony PlayStation, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and groundbreaking video games of all time. Its importance stems from its innovative gameplay, cinematic storytelling, complex themes, and its impact on the evolution of the gaming industry. This review explores the reasons why Metal Gear Solid holds such a revered place in gaming history.

Stealth as a Core Mechanic:
Before Metal Gear Solid, action games typically emphasized direct combat. MGS redefined this paradigm by prioritizing stealth over brute force, encouraging players to outwit enemies rather than overpower them. Players had to hide in shadows, avoid detection, and use tactics like knocking on walls or crawling through vents to progress. This introduced a new level of strategic thinking rarely seen in games at the time.
The “alert” and “evasion” phases when players were spotted introduced dynamic tension, making stealth not just a gimmick but a deeply integrated gameplay element. This mechanic laid the groundwork for the stealth genre, influencing games like Splinter Cell, Hitman, and Assassin’s Creed.

Innovative Use of Technology:
MGS utilized the PlayStation’s hardware in unprecedented ways. The game broke the fourth wall with creative mechanics, such as requiring players to look at the physical CD case for a codec frequency or switching controller ports to defeat Psycho Mantis. These moments were not just clever; they demonstrated how video games could engage players in ways unique to the medium.

An Experience:
MGS was one of the first games to adopt a cinematic approach to storytelling. Its extensive use of cutscenes, voice acting, and intricate camera work created an experience akin to a Hollywood blockbuster. The game blurred the line between cinema and gaming, making players feel like active participants in an epic spy thriller.
The production quality was unparalleled at the time. Voice actors like David Hayter (Solid Snake) brought depth to their characters, while Kojima’s attention to detail in dialogue, music, and pacing elevated the narrative. This commitment to cinematic presentation set a new standard for narrative-driven games.

Complex Themes and Characters:
MGS tackled mature themes, including the ethics of nuclear proliferation, anti-war, genetic engineering, and the moral ambiguity of warfare. Its narrative was layered with philosophical questions, exploring topics like free will, the nature of heroism, love, the burdens of legacy and so much more.
The characters were multifaceted and memorable, from the stoic Solid Snake to the tragic Sniper Wolf and the enigmatic Liquid Snake. The game’s villains, members of FOXHOUND, were not just obstacles but deeply human adversaries with their own motivations and backstories. In the end, they did not feel like villains at all.

Graphics and Audio:
For its time, Metal Gear Solid boasted cutting-edge graphics. Its 3D character models and environments pushed the PlayStation’s capabilities, creating a visually immersive world. The game’s art direction combined realism with stylized elements, making it both gritty and accessible.
The score, composed by Tappy Iwase and others, enhanced the game’s tension and atmosphere. The sound design was equally meticulous, with details like enemy footsteps and environmental noises adding layers of immersion.

Attention to Detail:
MGS was filled with small, impactful details that enriched the experience. Soldiers could follow footprints in the snow, players could catch a cold if they spent too much time in the cold environment, and each area was packed with interactivity and hidden secrets. These touches made the game world feel alive and reactive.

Redefining Video Games as Art:
MGS demonstrated that video games could be more than simple entertainment, they could be a form of art capable of telling complex stories and evoking deep emotions. Its mature themes and cinematic presentation legitimized gaming in the eyes of critics who had dismissed the medium as juvenile.

Influence on Game Design:
The game’s innovative mechanics and storytelling influenced countless developers. It proved that players were ready for more sophisticated experiences and inspired a wave of narrative driven, cinematic games.
MGS helped broaden the gaming audience, attracting players who were drawn to its compelling story and movie-like qualities. It played a pivotal role in the success of the Sony PlayStation, solidifying its reputation as a platform for mature, high quality games

Legacy:
The success of Metal Gear Solid spawned a franchise that continued to push boundaries with sequels like Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and more. Each installment built on the original’s legacy, but the 1998 game remains a cornerstone, remembered as the entry that transformed both the series and the industry.

Conclusion:
Metal Gear Solid is more than just a classic, it is a masterpiece that redefined what video games could be. Its revolutionary gameplay, cinematic storytelling, technical achievements, and profound impact on the gaming industry make it a landmark title. Even decades later, it remains a touchstone for developers and players alike, a testament to the power of creativity and innovation in video games.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Released: September 1, 2015
Developer: Kojima Productions
Publisher: Konami

The End of an Era:

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain was more than just a game, it was a defining moment in gaming history and a turning point for the Metal Gear franchise. Directed by Hideo Kojima, the game carried the weight of the series’ legendary legacy while also serving as Kojima’s swan song before his controversial departure from Konami. With this final installment, Kojima delivered a technical and gameplay masterpiece, but one with an incomplete narrative that left fans with, fittingly, their own “Phantom Pain.”

Revolutionizing Stealth Gameplay:

At its core, The Phantom Pain was a groundbreaking evolution of the stealth action genre. Taking place in an expansive open world set in Afghanistan and the Angola-Zaire border region, the game gave players an unprecedented level of freedom. This was a drastic shift from the linear level design of its predecessors, emphasizing player creativity and adaptability.
The stealth sandbox allowed players to approach missions with a variety of tactics, whether through silent infiltration, full frontal assault, or clever distractions. The depth of options was staggering, thanks to the diverse arsenal of weapons, tools, and companions. From tranquilizer pistols to sniper rifles, cardboard boxes to decoy balloons, the game encouraged experimentation. The Fulton Recovery System, allowing players to extract soldiers, vehicles, animals, etc, added a strategic layer to every encounter, tying directly into the game’s base management system and lore by obtaining tapes or mission ending information cutscenes.
The AI, responsive and adaptable, made every mission a challenge. Enemies would wear helmets if you relied on headshots or deploy mines in routes you frequently traveled. Or both. Combined with dynamic weather and day/night cycles, the emergent gameplay kept even repetitive missions fresh.

A Brilliant But Fragmented Narrative:

The Metal Gear series is known for its dense, cinematic storytelling, but The Phantom Pain took a more restrained approach, favoring player driven narratives over lengthy cutscenes. While this design choice worked well with the open world structure, it came at the cost of the intricate storytelling fans had come to expect.
The game begins with one of the most memorable prologues in gaming history. Players wake up in a hospital as Venom Snake (Big Boss), barely escaping a harrowing attack. This sequence sets the tone for a story steeped in themes of revenge, identity, existential crisis, and the cyclical nature of violence. As Venom Snake rebuilds Diamond Dogs and seeks revenge on Cipher, the narrative gradually reveals shocking twists, including the revelation that Venom Snake is not the “real” Big Boss but his body double, another key deception within the Metal Gear timeline.
Main Missions are shown as “episodes” in a tv show. Leading one to believe that there was a whole lot more in store for the story. Especially at a time where Konami wanted and successful Live service title.
Quiet, a true antithesis to “sexy-just-because” female characters. Fan service doesn’t erase the fact that Quiet is a strong, well written character that doesn't need a man to save her. That puts her on a level comparable to The Boss, who is one of the most impressive female characters to ever grace a video game.
Miller, Ocelot, Eli, all shine when shown on screen. Ocelot with countless nods to past events, making this feel all the more nostalgic, especially for veterans of the series.
Despite its ambitious themes, story, characters, the story suffers from a fragmented structure. Chapter 2 is especially criticized for its reliance on recycled missions and an abrupt ending. The exclusion of Mission 51, including Eli’s rebellion and the fate of Sahelanthropus, left the narrative feeling incomplete. This incompleteness is widely attributed to the troubled relationship between Kojima and Konami during development.
For fans who had invested decades into the Metal Gear saga, the unresolved storylines felt like a betrayal, leaving them with lingering questions and a sense of loss.

“The Phantom Pain”:

The title “The Phantom Pain” is both literal and metaphorical. It references Snake’s physical condition, missing an arm and leg, and the psychological scars he and other characters endure. The game’s core themes revolve around loss, identity, and the creation of legends, how the truth is viewed. These ideas resonate deeply, not just within the story but with the players themselves.
As the final chapter of Kojima’s involvement with Metal Gear, the game left fans with their own Phantom Pain. The missing narrative pieces, the knowledge of Kojima’s departure, and the uncertain future of the franchise created a void that felt almost intentional, as if mirroring the game’s themes of absence and longing.

Technical Mastery, The Fox Engine:

The Phantom Pain was a technical marvel. Built on the Fox Engine, the game showcased stunning visuals, lifelike animations, and incredible attention to detail. From the vast deserts of Afghanistan to the lush jungles of Africa, the environments were richly detailed and immersive.
The audio design also deserves praise, with a haunting score by Ludvig Forssell and standout performances from Ocelot (Troy Baker) and Robin Atkin Downes (Kazuhira Miller). The licensed 1980s soundtrack, featuring hits like David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World,” added an atmospheric layer to the game, evoking both nostalgia and melancholy. Also adding to the plot massively.

Impact on Gaming:

The Phantom Pain set a new standard for open world games. Its blend of player freedom, reactive AI, and emergent gameplay influenced countless titles in the years that followed. Few games have managed to offer such a seamless combination of narrative depth and mechanical complexity.
For the stealth genre, it was a revolution. It showed that stealth could thrive in a non linear, player driven environment.

The Controversy, Kojima VS. Konami:

The behind-the-scenes drama between Hideo Kojima and Konami is an inseparable part of The Phantom Pain’s legacy. Kojima’s departure from the company was one of the most publicized conflicts in gaming history, with rumors of budget cuts, rushed production, and corporate interference overshadowing the game’s release. The incomplete narrative and the exclusion of Mission 51 are widely seen as casualties of this fallout.
Fans rallied behind Kojima, viewing him as a visionary artist constrained by corporate interests. The resulting game feels like a monument to what could have been, further solidifying its bittersweet reputation.

A Masterpiece and a Missed Opportunity:

Despite its flaws, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is undeniably a masterpiece. It revolutionized gameplay mechanics, redefined the stealth genre, and delivered some of the most memorable moments in gaming. Yet, it also left fans with an aching void, a sense that something vital was missing.
This duality is what makes The Phantom Pain so unforgettable. It is a game about loss, longing, nostalgia, melancholy and the impossibility of closure, both for its characters and its players. Fans of the series still discuss its mysteries and unfulfilled potential, a testament to its lasting impact. 10 years later.

Press F:

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a game that simultaneously fulfilled and betrayed expectations. It gave us unparalleled gameplay freedom and a haunting narrative, but it also left us yearning for the completeness that never came. For fans, it was the end of an era, a brilliant yet flawed farewell to one of gaming’s most iconic franchises.
It’s this mix of brilliance and imperfection that ensures The Phantom Pain will be remembered not just as a game, but as an experience, one that, like its name, lingers long after the credits roll.