Metal Gear Solid stands out among video games for frequently breaking the fourth wall.
Directed by Hideo Kojima and developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Metal Gear Solid (MGS) was first published in 1998 by Konami for the PlayStation gaming console. It quickly became a huge success, selling over six million copies worldwide.
MGS’s commercial triumph led to various remakes and re-releases, including Metal Gear Solid: Integral for the PC, Metal Gear Solid for the Game Boy Color, and Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes for the Nintendo GameCube.
MGS is a Tactical Espionage Action game that emphasizes stealth, technique, and a relatively nonviolent form of gameplay. Large-scale confrontations usually result in the player’s death, as I’ve learned from many failed attempts.
The game’s storyline relies heavily on codec scenes instead of cut-scenes, which were costly and time-consuming to create and render during the game’s development.
Metal Gear Solid Breaks the Fourth Wall
Unlike most games, Metal Gear Solid doesn’t have a solid “fourth wall.” For example, characters sometimes chide Snake for not saving the game frequently enough and tell him when to change discs.
One of the game’s bosses, Psycho Mantis, reads Snake’s history and thoughts by accessing data stored on the player’s memory card. After a particularly tense sequence where Snake is tortured by Ocelot, Naomi Hunter asks players to rest the controller on their forearm for a “healing massage,” during which the controller vibrates vigorously.
The game’s ending changes depending on whether the player resists or succumbs to Revolver Ocelot’s torture. Snake’s support team also offers tips and advice, often using gaming terms to explain combat and playing techniques.
MGS’s Original Title
Originally, MGS was supposed to be called Metal Gear Three, but Kojima changed it because he felt that the Metal Gear series wasn’t well-known enough. He chose the name “Solid” because the game used 3D computer graphics and because it refers to the game’s protagonist, Solid Snake.
Development for MGS started in mid-1995, with the goal of creating the “best PlayStation game ever” that would be both realistic and enjoyable. Accuracy was a top priority, and the game’s development involved demonstrations by the Huntington Beach SWAT team and visits to Fort Irwin and firing sessions at Stembridge Gun Rentals.
When creating Metal Gear Solid, Kojima focused on including intricate details, even going so far as to individually design each desk in the game.
Character Development
The game’s characters were brought to life by polygonal artists who used brush drawings and clay models created by conceptual artist Yoji Shinkawa. Kojima also aimed to allow players to interact with the environment and objects, such as hiding bodies in storage compartments. Additionally, he wanted to incorporate a system that modified the current music track rather than switching to a pre-recorded one, but this was not possible on the platform at the time. These features were later added in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
Metal Gear Solid was first revealed at E3 in 1997 and was playable at the Tokyo Game Show in 1998. It was accompanied by an extensive advertising campaign that included 12 million demos being distributed in 1998, television and magazine ads, and in-store samples. The promotional costs totaled a whopping 8 million US dollars. All of this helped establish Hideo Kojima, Konami, and the Metal Gear Solid series as one of the biggest names in gaming history.
FAQ
1. What is Metal Gear Solid and how did it become so popular?
Metal Gear Solid is a video game series that was created by Hideo Kojima. It first debuted in 1987 and since then, it has become one of the most popular video game franchises in history. The game follows the story of Solid Snake, a highly skilled soldier who is tasked with stopping a group of terrorists from launching a nuclear strike. The game is known for its complex storylines, stealth-based gameplay, and cinematic cutscenes. Metal Gear Solid gained popularity due to its unique gameplay and storytelling, which was unlike anything else in the gaming industry at the time.
2. What inspired Hideo Kojima to create Metal Gear Solid?
Hideo Kojima was inspired to create Metal Gear Solid after watching the 1987 movie “The Lost Boys.” The movie featured a scene where a character uses a stealth-based approach to take out a group of enemies. This scene inspired Kojima to create a game that focused on stealth-based gameplay. He also drew inspiration from the novels of Tom Clancy and the movie “Escape from New York.”
3. What are some interesting facts about the development of Metal Gear Solid?
The development of Metal Gear Solid was a long and arduous process. The game’s creator, Hideo Kojima, initially faced resistance from his superiors, who were skeptical of the game’s stealth-based gameplay. Kojima also faced numerous technical challenges, including limited memory and processing power on the game’s platform. Despite these challenges, Kojima persevered and was able to create a groundbreaking game that revolutionized the gaming industry. Some interesting facts about the development of Metal Gear Solid include the fact that Kojima initially intended for the game to be a first-person shooter and that he used his own likeness for the character of Solid Snake.
4. What impact has Metal Gear Solid had on the gaming industry?
Metal Gear Solid has had a profound impact on the gaming industry. The game’s innovative gameplay and storytelling have inspired countless other games, and its influence can be seen in many modern games today. Metal Gear Solid was also one of the first games to use cinematic cutscenes, which have since become a staple of modern gaming. The game’s success helped to establish the video game industry as a legitimate form of entertainment and helped to bring video games into the mainstream.
5. What is the legacy of Metal Gear Solid?
The legacy of Metal Gear Solid is one of innovation and artistic achievement. The game’s creator, Hideo Kojima, is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the gaming industry, and his influence can be seen in many modern games today. Metal Gear Solid has also had a lasting impact on popular culture, with references to the game appearing in movies, TV shows, and other forms of media. The game’s legacy is a testament to the power of video games as a form of artistic expression and entertainment.
Zayn Anderson is a prolific writer with a passion for uncovering the world’s intriguing facts. Armed with an insatiable curiosity, he delves into various subjects, from history and science to nature and technology.