The success of theResident Evil 4remake has established that players not only have a fondness for thatResident Eviltitle in particular, but that there’s still plenty of influence from sixth generation game design felt in today’s gaming landscape. The balance struck by Capcom between innovation and nostalgia in its remakes of theResident Evilfranchise could serve as the perfect template for Konami to follow with one of its languishing IP. As another pinnacle of 6th generation game development alongsideResident Evil 4, it’s time for Konami to remakeMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eateras well as freeMetal Gear Solid 4from its PlayStation 3 exclusivity.
Rumors of a potential remake of aMetal Gear Solidgame have been swirling for quite some time, but the question has remained as to which game in the series would receive the remake treatment. While one prevailing thought was that the 1998 PlayStation originalMetal Gear Solidwould be the first game in the series to receive a ground-up remake, recentreports indicate aMetal Gear Solid 3remakeis more likely, as well as more welcome from fans. With the game’s 20th anniversary next year, as well as the 15th anniversary ofMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriotsin 2023, it’s time for Konami to bring both titles to modern hardware.
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How Metal Gear Solid 3 Transcends the Series
TheMetal Gear Solidfranchise is one of the most-revered in gaming, with nearly every entry in the franchise earning both commercial and critical acclaim. Still,Metal Gear Solid3was a swansong to the PS2era of gaming and a highlight of the entireMetal Gearsaga. Rather than continue Solid Snake’s story of attempting to take down the nefarious Patriots,MGS3took players back to where it all began: Big Boss' covert mission in a 1960s Soviet jungle.
Featuring several enhancements and improvements to the core gameplay of theMetal Gear Solidfranchise, as well as some of the best bosses in a series already known for creative and unique boss battles,Metal Gear Solid 3stands the test of time. It’s remembered as not only one ofthe best PS2 games, but also the bestMetal Gear Solidtitle and another pinnacle of sixth generation game design alongsideResident Evil 4. The grounded and emotional story already cemented the game as legendary, butMetal Gear Solid 3also had the gameplay to back it up.
What a Remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 Could Improve
One of the benefits to a potential remake ofMetal Gear Solid 3is the fact that developers already have an incredibly strong foundation to work with. Not much would be needed to updateMGS3for modern audiences outside a graphical overhaul, and even then the original game still is impressive by today’s standards. Both the narrative and gameplay ofMetal Gear Solid 3should remain largely intact in a remake, with the studio instead focusing on implementing smaller quality-of-life features.
Recent action combat titles have utilized systems that could be implemented in a potentialMetal Gear Solid 3remake to improve the Close Quarters Combat (CQC) mechanics. Additionally, an expansion on the survival mechanics found in the original could add to a deeper level of immersion in a remake. Capcom opted to trim sections fromthe originalResident Evil 4to improve pacing in the remake, butMetal Gear Solid 3should instead see emphasis placed on content being added rather than cut.
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The Grand Conclusion to Solid Snake’s Story Deserves An Audience
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the release ofMetal Gear Solid 4, which is also the final chapter in the saga of Solid Snake. Unfortunately for fans of theMetal Gearfranchise, the title is still locked behind aging hardware and only available on the PS3. In addition toremakingMetal Gear Solid 3for modern consoles, Konami needs to remaster and releaseMetal Gear Solid 4on current-gen hardware and PC.
Thereasoning behindMetal Gear Solid 4’s PS3 exclusivitycould be that the game was developed for the notoriously difficult PS3 architecture or perhaps be related to a rights issue. Whatever the case, Konami should find a way to bring the entireMetal Gear Solidstoryline to players on one console. As a franchise with close ties to the PlayStation brand, a PS5 remaster ofMGS4seems like the best and most likely option.
MGS4 Is The Last True Finished Metal Gear From Kojima
Metal Gear Solid 5was a great game but was released in an unfinished state due to Hideo Kojima’s falling out with Konami. Given the very public grievances that Kojima had with the company and the way Konami has treated his creative output since, it is unlikely that fans will ever get thetrue vision ofMetal Gear Solid 5as intended by the director. As a result,Metal Gear Solid 4is the last entry in the franchise that truly encapsulates Kojima’s vision.
AlongsideResident Evil, theMetal Gear Solidseries is one of the most iconic and legendary franchises birthed from the talented minds of Japanese development studios working on the PlayStation. That both franchises have endured as long as they have signals the special place they hold in many fans' hearts. Konami has a golden opportunity to rebirth the franchise through a series of high-profile remakes and remasters, taking acue from Capcom’s recent success.
AMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterremake is rumored to be in development.
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