Pixel Sundays: Metal Gear – The Evolution of a Stealth Masterpiece

The Metal Gear franchise has been with us for over 38 years now. Back then, the original game was released for the MSX2 under the direction of Hideo Kojima. Since then, the franchise has continued to evolve, becoming one of the most influential stealth-action franchises of all time. You can learn much more about the entire Metal Gear franchise this week in our Pixel Sundays article.

Summary

Right from the first game, the focus was on avoiding combat rather than seeking confrontation. This approach was revolutionary at the time. Over the years, the franchise kept evolving and became one of the most influential stealth-action series ever, famous for its complex narrative, innovative gameplay mechanics, and cinematic presentation.

Metal Gear Development History – From 2D Stealth to 3D Freedom


1987: Metal Gear – The Birth of the Stealth Concept


It all started in 1987 with the first Metal Gear, which was released for the MSX2. The game introduced a whole new kind of stealth gameplay at the time. Instead of blasting through enemy hordes, you had to sneak Solid Snake through a military base. You needed to avoid cameras, stay clear of alarms, and carefully manage resources like ammunition and rations.

Metal Gear

Hideo Kojima led the project and chose stealth not on a whim, but out of technical necessity. The MSX2’s hardware was too weak to handle a top-down action shooter. From this limitation, he created something new: a game where hiding was the key to success.


1990: Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – The Next Evolution


Three years later, the sequel Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake was released. It significantly improved many of the mechanics. Enemies now had fields of vision, reacted to sounds, and patrolled along set routes. The level design became much more complex, the interface more informative, and Snake gained new abilities like crawling.

Metal Gear

Due to its MSX2 exclusivity, Metal Gear 2 was overlooked for a long time in Western markets, but today it is seen as revolutionary. Many features now considered “classic” were introduced for the first time here.


1998: Metal Gear Solid – The Big Breakthrough


When Metal Gear Solid launched on the original PlayStation, the series became world-famous. The ideas previously presented in 2D were brought into a fully three-dimensional environment, where the gameplay worked better than ever. You had to sneak past guards, use environmental sounds, watch camera angles, and come up with creative solutions to problems.

Metal Gear

Each new chapter in the game introduced fresh gameplay elements:

  • Sound played a crucial role — things like creaky floorboards or footsteps in the snow could give you away.
  • Snake could hide in boxes, distract enemies, or crawl through ventilation shafts.
  • The camera switched between a fixed overhead view and cinematic cuts during cutscenes — making the gameplay both cinematic and tactical.

Main Titles – Milestones in Gameplay and Storytelling

The main entries of the series were definitely the Metal Gear Solid games. Each major title brought significant innovations, whether in gameplay, storytelling, or technical experimentation. Hideo Kojima used every new game to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and further develop his vision of interactive cinema. Since we’ve already covered the first main entry, let’s jump straight into the second one.


Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)


The second game built on the foundation of the first and pushed the technical limits even further. Enemies were much smarter, reacting to blood trails, noises, and missing comrades. The environment was highly interactive — water puddles, glass, and smoke had a noticeable impact on gameplay.

Metal Gear

A major story twist was that, after the prologue, players took control of a young soldier named Raiden instead of Solid Snake. It was a bold creative choice that angered many fans at the time but is now seen as a deliberate meta-commentary on control, expectations, and identity.


Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)


The third game shifted the setting to the jungles of the 1960s, introducing an entirely new survival system. Snake had to hunt animals, treat wounds, and use camouflage patterns to blend into the environment. Terrain was no longer static — nature itself became both a challenge and a tool.

Metal Gear

Narratively, MGS3 looked back at the origins of the series, focusing on Naked Snake (Big Boss), the genetic predecessor of the original Snake — all wrapped up in a gripping Cold War-era spy story with a strong emotional core.


Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)


Metal Gear Solid 4 brought the story to a cinematic conclusion. The game introduced the “Octocamo” system — an adaptive camouflage suit that automatically matched its surroundings. Players navigated various warzones where Snake could either ally with rebels or sneak past unnoticed.

Metal Gear

The game had a strong focus on cutscenes and even set a world record. The longest cutscene lasted over an hour, earning a world record. Altogether, the cutscenes’ total length exceeds 8 hours.


Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)


The last main entry was a radical departure from the past. Instead of linear level design, Metal Gear Solid V featured large open-world areas with dynamic mission design. Time, weather, and equipment all influenced mission planning. In the game, Snake could deploy to missions by helicopter, horseback, or later even using a walker (a type of mech).

Metal Gear

The game introduced completely new approaches, offering countless ways to complete levels. At the same time, players had to build up their Mother Base by recruiting enemies and using gathered resources.

Spin-offs and Side Titles

In addition to the main series games, there were also spin-offs. These offered new interpretations of the Metal Gear series. Two standout examples are Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013) and Metal Gear Survive (2018).


Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)


Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is an action game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Konami. It was released in February 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and later ported to Windows and macOS. In this game, you control Raiden, a cyborg ninja armed with a high-frequency katana. The game differs from traditional Metal Gear titles with its focus on fast, stylized combat and the “Blade Mode” system that allows precise slicing of enemies and objects.

Metal Gear

Metal Gear Survive (2018)


Metal Gear Survive is a survival action game developed and published by Konami. It was released in February 2018 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. This was the first game in the Metal Gear series developed without Hideo Kojima’s involvement. It is set in an alternate dimension where you fight crystalline zombies. Additionally, you build a base and craft weapons using collected resources. The game also features co-op play with up to four players.

Remakes and Remasters – The Return of the Classics

Over the years, the Metal Gear Solid series has received several remasters, appealing to both new players and long-time fans. These re-releases range from technical enhancements to full remakes with modernized graphics and gameplay.

Metal Gear

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 (2023)


In October 2023, Konami released the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the first three main titles of the series for modern platforms. This collection features:

  • Metal Gear Solid (PS1 version)
  • Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (HD version)
  • Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (HD version)

Additionally, the collection offers bonus content like digital screenplays, master books, and soundtracks. The games run on current consoles with enhanced resolution and more stable frame rates while largely preserving the original gameplay experience.


Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater (2025)


Another remake is Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater. This is a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. It is being developed by Konami with support from the studio Virtuos, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 for modernized graphics and audio.

Metal Gear

This remake stays true to the original story but incorporates new gameplay elements introduced in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. These include improved controls, updated animations, and a reworked user interface. The original voice recordings are preserved to maintain authenticity. This game is set to release on August 28, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.

What’s Coming in the Future?

First up is the already announced Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, launching later this year. But there’s more to come. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is also on the horizon. Konami has confirmed they are working on the collection, although details are scarce. Many expect it to include Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Peace Walker, and The Phantom Pain. However, Konami mentioned they learned from the challenges of the first collection and plan to take more time with the second, meaning we’ll have to be patient.

Conclusion – The Legacy of Metal Gear

Metal Gear Solid was never just a game. From the beginning, it was a statement born out of necessity. It tells a story about power, control, identity, and ideology. What started as a small, quiet pixel game evolved into one of the greatest stealth franchises in the gaming world. The characters and game mechanics have influenced generations and shaped the entire gaming landscape.


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