At long last, fans have valid reason to hope for a Metal Gear Solid 6, but how likely is it that this new game happens and what would it even look like?
Konami functionally departing the video game industry carried grave implications for many beloved video game series. For years, franchises like Metal Gear Solid, Suikoden, Castlevania, and Silent Hill were in limbo. That changed in 2022 when the company started releasing remaster collections of its back catalog, and Konami’s ambition is seemingly growing.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a key demonstration of this, but the team isn’t stopping there. Some of the creators of the remake discussed creating new Metal Gear Solid games. So what’s the situation at this point and will there be a Metal Gear Solid 6?
Konami developers hint at new Metal Gear Solid games
Veteran developers at Konami suggested in an interview that new Metal Gear Solid games are possible, which could open the door for Metal Gear Solid 6.
Following the release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, key figures from the development team fielded questions regarding the series. Among the topics was Metal Gear’s future. Though there were no specifics, it was made explicit that there’s more to come.
“So, one of the reasons why we brought in a lot of fresh meat, all the new, younger developers, is because, not only did we want to give them a chance to figure out how to create and develop a Metal Gear game, but also give them a chance to experience the game themselves…right now the goal is to build a team that could carry on the legacy on our behalf and could produce, hopefully in the future, more exciting games,” Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater producer Noriaki Okamura told Rolling Stone in an interview.
While more Metal Gear Solid remasters are a known possibility, the notion of “carrying on the legacy” certainly suggests bigger plans.
The most ambitious and buzzworthy option available would be a Metal Gear Solid 6. While Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots wrapped up Solid Snake’s story, there’s plenty of room for more Big Boss stories. Raiden could also return as the main character, either as a gunslinger or a nanomachine-powered cyborg ninja.
There have also been reports about the possibility of a new Metal Gear Solid 1 remake. Meanwhile, a remake of the original Metal Gear for the MSX would effectively be a brand-new release.
If Metal Gear Solid 6 happens, don’t expect Hideo Kojima-style extravagance
While new Metal Gear Solid games are seemingly on the way, they’re unlikely to be anything similar to their predecessors.
Hideo Kojima has no part in the Metal Gear series at this point, and his games have a distinct look and feel that would be difficult to emulate. Alongside that is the massive budget attached to Kojima-made games. Kojima famously loves shoehorning celebrities into his games but even before this, Metal Gear Solid games had cutting-edge presentation.
Metal Gear Solid 6, or any other new game in the series, would likely be smaller and narrower in scope. While this could still be very good, those looking for some original tactical espionage action from Kojima will have to wait for his new game, Physint.
