The Exciting Evolution of Metal Gear Solid: What Lies Beyond MGS6?
Metal Gear Solid's future shines with upcoming collections and a remake, but fans may have to let go of hopes for MGS6
Highlights
Konami announced a remake of Silent Hill 2 and other projects, fueling speculation of a revival of the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
The first five canonical games and bonus material will be included in the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 1, signaling a promising future for the franchise. Additionally, MGS Delta, a complete remake of Snake Eater, is also on the horizon.
Despite this, the likelihood of a Metal Gear Solid 6 seems low given the absence of Hideo Kojima and the difficulties of moving forward with the story following the conclusive endings of past games.
There had been rumors circulating that Konami had plans for the Metal Gear Solid franchise. After taking a break from the AAA gaming scene, the publisher confirmed a remake of Silent Hill 2 and other projects within the dormant franchise. This fueled speculation of a revival for the beloved stealth action series, which was quickly followed by an official announcement.
Earlier this year, Konami revealed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 1. The latter will encompass the first five canonical games in the franchise, along with bonus material. Although the release date for the MGS3 remake is yet to be announced, all signs point to a promising future for the franchise. Unfortunately, the prospect of MGS6 seems unlikely at the moment.
Why Metal Gear Solid Has A Bright Future Ahead of It
Konami's future plans for Metal Gear Solid remain undisclosed, but it is not difficult to anticipate the direction the series may take. The release date for Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 1 has been confirmed, while Volume 2's plans are yet to be revealed. However, if all goes well, it is likely that the collection will include the fourth installment, Guns of the Patriots, along with both parts of the fifth game. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Portable Ops, being crucial to the overall storyline, could also be potential candidates for the second volume. Depending on the extent of Konami's generosity with the collection, players may even have the pleasure of seeing lesser-known spin-off titles like Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance included.
In addition to the collections,
Why Metal Gear Solid 6 is Extremely Unlikely
the publisher could have extensive plans for the remakes as well. If more Metal Gear Solid Delta remakes were to be produced, there would be a clear direction to follow after the release of Snake Eater. It is not unreasonable to assume that the publisher might attempt to remake all the games in chronological order, in some way, shape, or form. Even if only half of this were to come true, it would indicate a promising future for the franchise. Unfortunately, this promising future is unlikely to feature Metal Gear Solid 6.
One of the main concerns surrounding Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is the absence of Hideo Kojima, a crucial factor that would also carry over to future installments. Kojima's influence is deeply ingrained in these games, and his presence is undeniably influential in shaping any project he takes charge of. Consequently, any entry in the franchise that lacks his involvement will inevitably exhibit distinct differences. Moreover, the exclusion of Kojima and his team from a potential sequel will undoubtedly stir up controversy and reignite discussions about his less-than-amicable departure from Konami.
The issue at hand pertains to the Metal Gear Solid storyline, primarily revolving around Big Boss and Solid Snake. In the fourth installment, Big Boss's demise was depicted, strongly implying Snake's impending demise within a year. Metal Gear Solid 5 completed Big Boss's narrative arc, connecting it back to the original Metal Gear games. Consequently, it seems unlikely for either storyline to be further expanded in a meaningful manner. Introducing new elements could undermine the impactful conclusions of the fourth and fifth games, making it a difficult proposition.
Konami's plans for Metal Gear Solid remain uncertain at present. While the franchise has a promising future with upcoming remakes and collections, it is unlikely that a sixth main game will be part of this bright future. The marketing and storytelling challenges it would pose make it improbable.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
