Goodbye, Solid Snake. Hello, Big Boss?
As more and more gamers begin to complete Metal Gear Solid 4, a growing population of Metal Gear savants are beginning to seriously question how one of gaming's most iconic figures and franchises can become permanently retired. During a recent interview between 1up and Metal Gear Solid 4 assistant producer Ryan Payton, a few promising notions for how the series may continue to evolve were addressed:
1UP: Famitsu says Kojima is already thinking about MGS5.RP: [Laughs] Yeah, he said he's thinking about MGS5 already, and we're all kind of curious what's going on inside his head. Maybe he should have been more specific by saying, "I'm already thinking about Metal Gear Solid 5, but Metal Gear Solid 4 is the final chapter of the Solid Snake saga." There are some misunderstandings that this is the final Metal Gear game. But it's really the final chapter of the Solid Snake story. That's all. There's still a lot of room for filling in the gaps as far as Big Boss is concerned.
While it is a shame to see Solid Snake's story closed, it would make perfect sense to further elaborate on the massive back story that the modern games are derived from. The further tales of Naked Snake / Big Boss could easily spawn a worthy continuation to the series, just as a reinvisioning of the original MSX Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake would better explain the original adventures of Solid Snake.
Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton [1up]
[via: Wired:Game|Life]
Noun
Posted to Video Games on 23 June 2008
· Comments (8)
Other stuff like this: Big Boss, Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Solid, Naked Snake, PlayStation 3, Solid Snake, Sony
More story on Big Boss is fine if going by how the gaps left open before and after Sneak Eater... but after Raiden in MGS4 - I want more of him now (or what's left of him).
I'll try to keep this as spoiler free as possible. Keep in mind I am a long time series fan...
After completing 4, I'd be happy if that was the last game of the Metal gear universe. Without getting into spoilers, I felt the that while the ending to 4 was disrespectful to old school series canon, featured clumsy dialog, and featured an unnaturally different tone, it was still an ending that delivered answers to any important lingering questions in the series. I may not have thought it was well written, but it was an ending. At this point between the original series, MGS1-4, Portable Ops, and the bizarre AC!D series, I think they've filled in every gap worth filling in... epsecially Big Boss.
Seriously, this series is so convoluted at this point that it requires a downloadable wiki to keep things straight. While I appreciated it, I don't want to see it get even more complicated just to continue down a well beaten path of samey boss fights and cut scenes that are so long it begins to overpower gameplay. It's bad enough that I felt large sections of 4 were merely repeating things the series has already done and that what little that was new was not exactly what I would call "fun" or "engaging" (hi Act 3, I'm looking at you!).
Even if this was the conclusion of Snake's saga, I feel that Big Boss has been explored to death (multiple times across different platforms even), possibly more so than Snake. For a character who doesn't show up often, we know enough about his personal life, choices, history and missions to have more than a clear image of him.
Continuing with Raiden is not a popular option and understandably so. Enough of the fanbase instantly hated him upon introduction and MGS2, 4 and their respective stories did little to help his relationship with fans. For a lot of fans, Raiden's character symbolizes a lot of the worst aspects in the series. Whiney emo stories, overly complicated character motives, "relationship drama" and copout twist endings. Honestly, of all the characters in Metal Gear, I hate only one more character more than him (let's just say that in my world, Snake gives into Ocelot's torture in MGS1).
But the biggest reason why I think that the series is done is that I've talked with multiple ps3 owners that actively want to get into 4, but haven't played all/any the games. This is a game in a genre they like or love, but they cannot play it. The series is so weighted down in it's own history that it's scaring off potential players. I think that it's going to be rare that someone picks up MGS4 never playing any other the other games and finds it to be an enjoyable experience (especially halfway through Act 3). The games are made for no one but hardcore fans at this point, and I think that the efforts of Kojima, his production team and Konami itself could be spent in better ways...
...like a Snatcher remake/sequel. I can dream, can't I?
I'd have screaming orgasms of joy if they announced remakes of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Hell, even if they were PSP titles, but if they were done on the PS3 using 4's game engine...oh wow...
I'd be in gaming heaven.
@game-boi
Everything you've described about this being only for hardcore fans... that's the point. Metal Gear Solid has never been about accessibility. It's about those of us who've hung on for the ride and are now satisfied with our grand conclusion. I, for one, am looking forward to the next Metal Gear, to see what Kojima's "next generation of minds" can come up with. Snake's story ended as it had to. I do agree with you, somewhat, that there doesn't need to be another Big Boss game. I also don't think there needs to be a Raiden game, necessarily. I think what would be awesome is a brand new storyline in a world post MGS4. No Snake, No Ocelot, No Otacon, and No Hideo. The story of Solid Snake is over. The path is paved for tomorrow's heroes.
@ EshuElegbara
MGS1 and 3 were largely more accessible to people without previous series experience. Someone could easily enjoy playing through either of those games without becoming bogged down in "What a minute, who's what?" questions or needing to lookup character bois on wikipedia.
It may not be able accessibility as you say, but you have to admit that Metal Gear has always made telling a story a major priority. And at this point in the series all of the characters have had their stories told. Even across large spans of time, they *all* have an ending. Be it cheesy, unbelievable, or downright cheap imo (in that order), there's no more story to tell. And seriously, after 7 games in the main series, if they haven't explained some minor detail by now maybe they shouldn't.
I would rather see the powers that be at Konami create new experiences using the interactions and storytelling mechanics of the series, rather than stretch out the timeline of the series further. I'd love to see what they could do from a clean slate or fresh start, without having to carry around the burden of a series with over 20 years of history to it.
I thought they were jumping the gun in releasing the Database, which supposedly tied all the loose ends up in the story, etc. I guess after seeing the success of MGS4, they're out for more skin. Though I don't think an MGS5 is necessary, I welcome it.
Seriously, I never thought of Big Boss being the lead, though it was pretty obvious xD. I guess it's because I was looking ahead (though there would be no point if you know what happens in MGS4). I'll be sad that there's no Snake/Otacon banter, though. Hopefully, they'll come up with a character relationship as dynamic as Snotacon.
I kind of wish EVA doesn't return, though, because she annoyed me in MGS3 (though I liked "Big Mama"). I guess it'd be cool if they explored the Patriots' founding more. I'd also like to see how Big Boss and Ocelot's comradiere progresses, which will hopefully explain why Ocelot is so hardgay for Snake xD.
As much as I can appreciate that it would be hard to put any more MG into the timeline, I really don't wanna see it go, even if the next game wasn't a perfect fit I could very easily forgive it...
I hope they touch on possibly THE most dserving character who has received close to no storytime... As Solid Snakes finally out to rest how about a prequel... MGL, Metal Gear Liquid ;) PRE Ocelot arm stuff too, I wanna play as the blond, topless genetic superior as he works his way to power =P Leaves room for our old favourites to make an appearance too.... OH MR. KOJIMA, I HAVE AN IDEA!
i agree with game-boi to a certain extent....i am also a very loving gamer of the MGS series...i've played every MGS game there is i had a few questions with the game but figured them out later on in MGS4....i never like MGS2 sons of liberty...i mean i was confused in the begining? who the hell was raiden? his storry line kinda sorta fitted into the MGS series but later on it fell out of the story...i dont like him...now if the were going to do ANYTHING to the MGS series is to redo MGS and MGS2 OR...(just an opinion) like joeylemmons said and make a prequel and let us play as liquid snake but without the PRE ocelot arm...if there was that we'd be to powerful...and idk about ya'll but i always loved me a challenging MG...but pleas dont make a MGS5...i mean who would be in it? with solid snake at rest who else would be fit in the series? idk just throwin out opinoins