We’re now a couple of years into Konami’s recognition of its ownership of the unique intellectual property known as Metal Gear Solid. This journey began with the release (and subsequent fixes) of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 1, and it continues soon with the launch of Metal Gear Solid Delta, a polished remake of the 2004 classic Metal Gear Solid 3, utilizing Unreal Engine 5.

But what does the future hold for completely new entries in the Metal Gear series? After the poorly received Metal Gear Survive, could we see a fresh take on the series without the involvement of Hideo Kojima, and would it be able to capture the same magic?

I presented these questions to David Hayter, the voice of Snake, during an interview with PC Gamer. I asked whether a great Metal Gear could be achieved without Kojima’s direction. His response was measured: “I think it’s absolutely possible… Will it be the same? No. There’s no way to replicate his exact genius, his exact weirdness, his specific personality; any future MGS that tried to do so would be doomed to remain a mere shadow.”

“I look at the Metal Gear scripts, and I’m like, ‘I could never do this.’”

However, Hayter reassured fans by stating that while it cannot be replicated, a different approach may yield something special. Comparing it to Batman adaptations, he remarked: “When I was a kid, I loved Tim Burton’s Batman… then Chris Nolan did Batman, and I thought, ‘Oh, that’s pretty badass as well.’ So will it be the same? No. Could it be amazing? Sure.”

Yet, he also expressed skepticism about Metal Gear’s future without Kojima, noting the deep connection between the series and Kojima’s distinctive style. “I have to admit, I’m sceptical of Metal Gear’s future sans Kojima. The series is so tightly linked to his brand of research-heavy creativity that any continuation might feel like a poor imitation, or worse, remove the very elements that made it unique. But I would love to see someone attempt it. I’ve been wrong before.”

Ultimately, as conversations around Metal Gear’s next chapter continue, Hayter emphasized the intricacy of the series’ lore, noting that even he struggles to keep track of all its complexities, a testament to Kojima’s intricate storytelling.

Image (Image credit: Getty Images)