Every Hideo Kojima Game, Ranked

Without question, Kojima stands as a highly respected figure within the gaming world, boasting an unmeasurable level of fame.

It’s undeniable that Kojima is one of the most reliable figures in video game development and holds an unfathomable degree of celebrity status.

Renowned for his complex philosophical and political motifs in the Metal Gear series, his passion for filmmaking, and his distinctive preference for socializing with Hollywood A-listers and lesser-known personalities, Kojima has had a highly prosperous professional journey.

As a devoted fan, I’m excited to share a countdown of some of the top games that Hideo Kojima himself has directed or written, focusing on those that bear his unique creative stamp.

In other words, “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance” won’t appear on our list because we’re focusing on a comprehensive collection of titles from the Kojima universe. We can’t get hung up on every Metal Gear game in the series!

13. P.T.

The Game That Never Was

Overlooking the inclusion of “P.T.” in our discussion would be akin to committing a wrong, given that it’s a playable teaser for an as-yet unreleased Silent Hill game. This game is particularly renowned for its strikingly realistic visuals and chilling psychological terror.

Apart from being renowned, it’s worth noting that it gained popularity due to its creation by the brilliant Kojima, in partnership with the equally gifted Guillermo del Toro. The game, P.T., also starred Norman Reedus as the lead character who remained nameless.

In spite of receiving praise, P.T., created by Konami, was terminated because of a disagreement between Konami and Kojima. To add insult to injury, the teaser was also taken down from the PlayStation Store, leaving only those who previously downloaded it able to play it.

The disappointment among gamers remains profound with P.T., as countless enthusiasts eagerly anticipated the launch of a game crafted by esteemed and dedicated creators, only to have their dreams dashed by a corporation reluctant to bring it to fruition.

12. Metal Gear

Metal Gear!?

It might come as a shock to learn that the initial Metal Gear ranks quite low, given its significance in launching Hideo Kojima into stardom.

It’s possible that other games on this list don’t compare, but Metal Gear may not hold up as well over time due to its complex puzzles, sluggish combat, and graphics that are noticeably outdated given its era. While it deserves recognition for being the pioneer in many ways, its charm is largely rooted in nostalgia.

Despite our desire to give it a better rating, its gameplay is quite weak compared to modern standards. However, this isn’t entirely surprising given that many games from the ’80s tend to have similar issues.

11. Snatcher

Kojima Is 70% Movies

You’ll find that many of the lesser-known games showcased here are earlier creations by Kojima, largely because of technological constraints at the time and Kojima refining his narrative style within his game development process. Originally released for Japanese computers in 1988, it was subsequently adapted for home consoles such as the Sega CD during the early 90s.

Originating following the debut of the initial “Metal Gear”, “Snatcher” can be seen as one of Kojima’s most cinematic works, drawing obvious influence from sci-fi mainstays such as Bladerunner, Terminator, and Akira. The plot centers around artificial beings resembling humans known as Snatchers, who are the focus of the enigma.

One issue with the game Snatcher is the excessive need for backtracking and the monotony of clicking through each option to progress. This isn’t just frustrating, but the choices presented were both restricted and diverse in an incongruous way.

It’s evident that Kojima hasn’t let go of the idea of Snatchers, as demonstrated by the release of a radio drama prequel named SDatcher in 2011, penned by Goichi Suda, famous for No More Heroes. Remarkably, this production from over 30 years after its initial release features Akio Otsuka as Jean Jack Gibson, who interestingly enough voices Snake in the Metal Gear series and Die-Hardman in Death Stranding.

10. Policenauts

Classic Buddy Cop

Similar to Snatcher, Policenauts is an interactive movie-style point-and-click game heavily influenced by Hideo Kojima’s passion for cinema. It’s one of Konami’s overlooked titles that might benefit from a modern update. Interestingly, Kojima conceived the game during his work on Snatcher.

Kojima’s love for cinema is evident not only in the detective mystery aspect, but also through the striking similarity between protagonist Jonathan Ingram and his partner Ed Brown to Riggs and Murtaugh from Lethal Weapon, respectively.

The game Policenauts, inspired by the historic event of Japan’s first man in space in 1990, narrates the tale of a former LAPD officer who was cryogenically frozen and later becomes a private investigator. After being revived, he finds himself embroiled in a perplexing mystery surrounding his deceased ex-wife. The game’s storyline is more concise, and the dialogues are fluid, making the narrative feel more coherent and enjoyable as you play through it.

Despite not having an official English version, fan translations have made it possible for those who don’t speak Japanese to discover and enjoy this hidden treasure.

9. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

A Slight Improvement

Initially unveiled only in Japan back in 1990, “Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake” surpasses its predecessor with fewer monotonous segments, a captivating plotline, and significantly enhanced visuals and audio.

It’s evident now that Kojima is developing his unique narrative style as a gamewriter, with each character becoming more distinct and characteristic elements of Kojima starting to emerge noticeably, particularly in the dialogues.

Metal Gear 2 didn’t reach Western gamers until the same re-release of MGS3. Before that, Konami opted for a Western-only sequel named Snake’s Revenge, which Hideo Kojima had no involvement in and was never recognized as part of the canon storyline.

8. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots

Rolling Around In A Barrel

Although once hailed as the definitive Metal Gear game, particularly Solid Snake’s (now Old Snake’s) farewell, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, unfortunately, is marred by numerous issues despite its legendary standing in the series and significant graphical enhancements.

In Metal Gear Solid 4, there are numerous exciting new gadgets for Snake to handle and adversaries to confront, such as the OctoCamo suit and the tranquilizer pistol. Moreover, we witness some unforgettable scenes, including the climactic close-quarters combat between Snake and Ocelot.

Unfortunately, despite offering enjoyable gameplay, it’s held back by outdated visuals that are often found in media from the 2000s: poor color correction that drains the colors and has an excessive affinity for a dull greyish-orange tone, which diminishes the game’s original vibrancy.

Besides this, Metal Gear Solid 4 features extended cutscenes that frequently interrupt gameplay, occurring approximately every few moves. These scenes are typically lengthy, sometimes lasting up to 30 minutes, and they are used to showcase visually engaging sequences that you have no control over.

7. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Quintessentially Metal Gear

Let’s delve into the Metal Gear timeline a bit, focusing on the events of Peace Walker. This game is set in 1974, a time when Big Boss and Kazuhira Miller were laying the foundation for their mercenary group, Militaires Sans Frontieres.

Peace Walker skillfully blends the fast-paced, selectable missions with a base management system, which was further developed in The Phantom Pain.

Since Peace Walker initially came out for the PSP with limited graphical abilities, its narrative was predominantly conveyed using comic-style artwork, which was skillfully crafted by veteran Metal Gear artist Yoji Shinkawa.

Despite this, numerous fans regard “Peace Walker” as a favorite, partly because it includes playful crossovers such as a Monster Hunter mission within the additional operations. In these missions, you have an opportunity to battle series icons like Rathalos and even transform Metal Gear REX into a monster.

6. Metal Gear Solid

Psycho Mantis…!?

Metal Gear Solid is the game that really kickstarted the popularity of the series.

This game is a trailblazer in the realm of stealth gaming, setting a standard that future stealth games aim to emulate. It marked the beginning of an enduring series, filled with moments that fans will forever hold dear.

Metal Gear Solid offered us moments we won’t forget easily, with Psycho Mantis standing out due to his unique ability to breach the fourth wall by accessing your game saves, although this feature is no longer functional on modern gaming systems.

The production boasts a skilled ensemble of voice actors, led notably by the exceptional David Hayter, who is now closely associated with Snake’s voice despite being replaced by Kiefer Sutherland starting from Ground Zeroes and beyond.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Kept You Waiting, Huh?

In essence, although shorter in length compared to its predecessors, Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes significantly overhauls the stealth and combat mechanics of the series and presents a fresh narrative arc. It’s a self-contained experience that could almost be categorized as a demo, much like P.T. did before it.

In Ground Zeroes, which unfolds some time after Peace Walker and precedes Phantom Pain, you find Big Boss embarking on a mission to infiltrate a Cuban prison camp with the aim of rescuing Chico and Paz. This storyline also introduces a significant new adversary – Skull Face, the head of the XOF unit and the main antagonist who will play a pivotal role in the upcoming game.

In terms of graphical advancements and innovative gameplay features, Ground Zeroes significantly surpassed its earlier versions. It introduced a sophisticated stealth system that incorporated audio and visual signals to aid players, along with the option to tag enemies for smoother infiltration. A notable addition was Reflex Mode, a feature later seen in Phantom Pain as well.

Although Kiefer Sutherland brought Snake to life convincingly, it was a real shame that David Hayter, the man behind the iconic performance as the legendary soldier, wasn’t there to continue his role in Ground Zeroes and subsequent titles. The details of why he didn’t return are quite extensive and would require more space than I have here to fully explain.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

We’re Diamond Dogs

A year following the release of Ground Zeroes, Phantom Pain serves as the concluding chapter for the Metal Gear saga, marking Hideo Kojima’s departure from Konami. The narrative seems hastily put together, certain elements were left out, and it carries a much darker and somber atmosphere compared to its earlier installments. These aspects suggest that Kojima intended this project to be his swan song with this universe as he embarked on new creative adventures.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but be thrilled about the latest addition to the main Metal Gear series, Phantom Pain. Compared to its predecessors, it stands out by introducing Reflex Mode, which offers a more forgiving stealth experience, and an expansive open world that caters to multiple traversal options. To top it off, I now have the aid of companions who assist Venom Snake in accomplishing missions, making the gameplay even more engaging!

Apart from that, Phantom Pain adopts Peace Walker’s Mother Base management method, enabling you to capture enemy troops to persuade them to support your mission. This action not only increases the spirit but also the number of your freshly formed Diamond Dogs.

Although the plot wasn’t outstanding, the gameplay loop of Phantom Pain remained engaging because there was always something fresh to discover when tackling missions within its open environment.

In this rephrased version, here’s what I came up with: The typical elements from Kojima are still present, such as intense global political conflicts and a villain who meets an untimely end at the hands of another before you have a chance to confront him directly.

3. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty

The Ol’ Bait And Switch

Longtime followers of the series might take issue with Metal Gear Solid 2, as they were led to believe that Snake was the main character, only to discover it was Raiden all along. However, this game stands out as one of the series’ finest due to its strong narrative and engaging gameplay.

Back in the day, when I first experienced “Metal Gear Solid,” it marked a groundbreaking leap into 3D gameplay for the series. But “Sons of Liberty” took it to another level – beyond just enhancing the graphics.

This masterpiece also ushered in a new first-person shooting mode, providing an unparalleled level of precision that would become a staple feature in future installments of this epic franchise.

Regardless of the controversies that surrounded it initially, particularly concerning Raiden’s entry, Sons of Liberty is now broadly acclaimed for its profound messaging and exceptional narrative prowess.

Frequently recognized as one of the early examples of postmodern gaming, Sons of Liberty delved into numerous sociopolitical and philosophical topics that would later be further explored in Kojima’s future creations, almost seeming prophetic as the Information Age grows increasingly intricate with digital and social media.

2. Death Stranding

This Is America

Should you have persevered up until now, let me gently bring your attention to the fact that the content discussed here is not confined solely to the realm of the Metal Gear series.

It’s only natural that Death Stranding faced high expectations, given that Kojima gained stardom through the Metal Gear series. After all, fans were eagerly anticipating the distinctive narrative style and stealth elements reminiscent of our experiences with Snake.

Instead, what emerged were elements distinctively Kojima, brimming with abstract philosophical and sociopolitical musings that could flourish given Kojima’s newfound freedom from Konami’s constraints.

In an unrestrained environment where he could fully express his artistic vision, Kojima found himself liberated to explore his cinematic aspirations, along with a playful nod towards energy drinks. It was during this period that his fascination with replicating the visages of well-known Hollywood personalities emerged.

In the project, Kojima had the opportunity to showcase his unique creative ideas, some of which might not appeal to everyone, yet he appeared incredibly proud to bring it to life, and it could be seen as a touch of self-expression or even self-indulgence.

Although some people jokingly refer to it as a walking simulation, Death Stranding is actually an enjoyable game where establishing connections becomes deeply significant.

Although the narrative may seem illogical at times and some messages might come across as overly moralistic in prolonged conversations, Death Stranding showcases breathtaking visuals that reimagine a post-apocalyptic America and delivers refined, engaging open-world gameplay. In essence, Death Stranding represents Hideo Kojima’s creative freedom at its best.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

What A Thrill…

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is generally regarded as the top game in the series and one of the most renowned games ever produced in the gaming world. This masterpiece offers a unique blend of stealth and survival mechanics, features an engaging narrative, and boasts unforgettable boss battles that continue to captivate gamers 21 years after its debut.

In a tribute to its legendary status, Konami opted for a remake titled “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater“, featuring the original voice actors. Even though there’s been a rift between Konami and Kojima, fans are eagerly anticipating how this new version will compare to the original.

Regarding its gameplay style and overall atmosphere, the game “Snake Eater” can be likened to a James Bond film set within a lush jungle environment. A significant focus on stealth is a key feature in this game, and the stealth mechanics are intricate, enabling you to employ various tools and equipment for staying unnoticed by adversaries. For instance, you might use a long-distance microphone to locate your target, The End.

In this game, it encourages you to utilize all your resources to accomplish your task, and the type of camouflage you wear significantly impacts an enemy’s ability to spot you, a feature not found in other games within the series.

The tale of Snake Eater is masterfully crafted and might even rank among Kojima’s finest creations. As the initial installment in the Metal Gear saga, Snake Eater narrates Naked Snake’s backstory as Big Boss, a narrative replete with heart-wrenching loss, deception, and geopolitical occurrences that seamlessly complement the existing Metal Gear timeline’s narrative.

Regardless of personal preference, Snake Eater undeniably offered a wealth of memorable scenes and a humorous conclusion that might not have resonated as strongly if not for Kojima’s unique storytelling style, as evidenced by the timeless ladder sequence, Ocelot’s revolver spin, and the indelible “Kept you waiting, huh?

2025-03-26 18:41