Written by Edwin Francisco • Staff Writer
Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid, the original game that was released on Sony Playstation in 1998 may get an exclusive remake on the PS5 and the PC! We haven’t seen a remake of this since it was released on the Nintendo GameCube with Metal Gear Solid Twin Snakes which was released in 2004.
A report from GamesRadar seems to suggest that there may be a remake of the 1998 classic. This comes from a video report from RedGamingTech sources. They also indicated that there will be HD remasters of Metal Gear Solid 2, 3 and 4. Meaning that this will just be a graphical enhancement of the games without any gameplay changes.
The original Metal Gear Solid was popular for being an action game that focuses on stealth instead of fighting enemies head on. It made the game feel like a puzzle solving action game instead of just a mindless shooter. A Game where an entire level can even be passed through without defeating anyone except for the bosses, if you plan your moves well. If you are careless in the game, expect that you’ll be dead quickly.
Metal Gear Solid defined the genre in which you can see games the likes of Splinter Cell and Hitman were inspired from. The game made Hideo Kojima, the creator of Metal Gear, a household name and also boosted Sony’s PlayStation as the go-to console beating out the Sega Saturn and the Nintendo 64.
Metal Gear Solid was originally an exclusive game for Sony’s first PlayStation. Once it gained a lot of popularity, it was released on the PC and Nintendo. The game never released on Xbox’s original console but Microsoft did follow up with Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, which Konami released on both the Xbox and the PlayStation 2.
If this is true that Konami will release an exclusive remake, this is a good time to release the game since it’s actually difficult to get to play the game in modern game systems. The game is not available at Sony’s PlayStation store, nor is it available on Xbox’s store, Nintendo’s version of Twin Snakes hasn’t been ported to any system either. Even though GOG.com has the game for sale for the PC, I tell you that this is not the best way to play it!
If you are new to the series, or if you want to play the original MGS or the Nintendo remake, it is virtually impossible now. Unless you have some of the old consoles and you are lucky to get a copy of the games.
Even when Konami released Metal Gear Solid HD Collection in 2011, the collection only has Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and Metal Gear Peace Walker. No sign of the original MGS.
Making a remake is a natural choice at this point than doing a remaster. Look at Final Fantasy VII’s Remake, it’s not just a graphical overhaul, it also made new game mechanics that made the game fresh and interesting. You are not just playing for the nostalgic factor.
Using the old original mechanics can feel clunky now at this day and age of modern video games. Even Nintendo’s exclusive Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes added mechanics from Metal Gear Solid 2.
I’m not sure if they can use the same mechanics as Metal Gear Solid V, since that was designed with an open world in mind, but using a new engine like Unreal Engine can breathe life again to this classic game. Can you imagine seeing the amazing intro in modern graphics? Hideo Kojima’s vision was truly cinematic. You can watch Erasmus Brosdau’s version of the intro using Unreal Engine 4 on YouTube.
Remaking MGS is amazing to hear, but will Hideo Kojima be involved in this? He basically made the franchise, and it was obvious that not having him involved can make a game crash and burn (I’m looking at you MGS: Survive). Hideo Kojima is also rumored to be returning to Konami for Silent Hill. If this is true, then it might tie into him helping out with the MGS Remake. I do find it perfect if they release this remake of MGS on the PlayStation 5 – since it is going back to its roots.
Introducing the original game to a new generation with a fresh new look and feel is something this franchise needs. And hopefully, Metal Gear Solid rises back again.