The Best Metal Gear Games Not Directed By Hideo Kojima

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Summary

  • Metal Gear has solid spinoffs with unique gameplay that are worth a try.
  • Metal Gear games made by different directors maintain the series’ charm.
  • Entries not directed by Hideo Kojima proved worthwhile despite lukewarm reception.

The Metal Gear series has been strongly linked to Hideo Kojima since he played a key role in its creation back in 1986. He was primarily responsible for directing the main games that many mainstream gamers have enjoyed, but there are also some excellent spin-offs available. Although these spin-offs weren’t directed by Hideo Kojima, they still offer valuable additions to the Metal Gear franchise.

Discussing a unique series, it’s worth mentioning that Metal Gear stands out due to its consistent high-quality offerings, whether from the mainline games or spinoffs. It’s quite uncommon for franchises like Mario or Final Fantasy to boast such a record. Today, we’ll explore the Metal Gear games that Hideo Kojima didn’t direct, and evaluate them based on their overall quality.

6. Metal Gear Survive

Youta Tsutsumizaki Steps Up After Kojima

Following Hideo Kojima’s split from Konami, the future of the beloved ‘Metal Gear’ series seemed uncertain to many fans. However, with this recent announcement, Youta Tsutsumizaki stepped into the director’s role for ‘Metal Gear Survive’, marking the first game in the series since the NES era that Kojima hasn’t been involved in. Prior to this, Tsutsumizaki had contributed to several games within the series, but ‘Metal Gear Survive’ represented his significant debut as a director. Additionally, Tsutsumizaki played a role in the development of ‘Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls’, a less-known mobile Metroidvania project.

In an alternate reality to “Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain”, Metal Gear Survive offers players the opportunity to design their character and navigate through a peculiar zombie-infested post-apocalyptic world. Although it retained some stealth elements, its gameplay leans more towards survival genre akin to Rust, setting it apart from traditional “Metal Gear” games. This shift in focus might have contributed to the mixed initial reactions of fans, but those who persisted found enjoyment in its unique aspects.

5. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel

Shinta Nojiri Reimagines Snake’s Return

In a separate timeline from the primary Metal Gear series, the game known as Ghost Babel unfolded. This story brought back the retired Solid Snake, who had previously appeared in Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake and was active during the same timeframe as Metal Gear Solid. In this new mission, Snake found himself in a situation reminiscent of the classic MSX games with their top-down view, and progressing through levels like many Game Boy Color games.

Shinta Nojiri made his directorial debut in the Metal Gear series with a game that wasn’t yet widely popular at the time. However, he later contributed to various other projects within the Metal Gear franchise, some of which were more renowned than this initial one. Despite its traditional style of gameplay, it featured all the elements fans would expect from a Metal Gear game, such as intriguing boss battles and delightful Codec conversations.

4. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Masahiro Yamamoto Continues Big Boss’ Journey

The game titled “Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops” served as a sequel directly following “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater,” but it was not led by Hideo Kojima. Instead, Konami veteran Masahiro Yamamoto stepped up to the role, who later contributed to various projects before eventually moving on to assist other Japanese companies when Konami’s game development started to dwindle. For instance, he collaborated with Good-Feel to direct the exclusive Nintendo Switch title “Yoshi’s Crafted World.

Resuming our discussion, the handheld game titled “Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops” featured Big Boss embarking on a covert operation to thwart a malicious group from causing global chaos. This was a comprehensive title for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), complete with a multiplayer mode, although it never made its way onto consoles like its full sequel, “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker,” which was helmed by Kojima. In numerous aspects, the recruitment system in “Peace Walker” would not have been possible without “Portable Ops” laying the groundwork. Therefore, credit is due to Yamamoto for this significant contribution.

3. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes

Carey Murray And Silicon Knights Lead This Remake

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is quite unique, as it was developed with numerous elements in play simultaneously. The main team was headed by Carey Murray, who was credited as the Project Lead. Interestingly, there wasn’t a single director listed in the credits, apart from those working on animation and motion capture. This could be because the game is a remake of Metal Gear Solid, which Hideo Kojima played a significant role in creating.

Regarding the origins of Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, its exact development story remains shrouded in mystery. Yet, it’s clear that Hideo Kojima did not solely direct the game, and Konami was not the only studio involved in its creation. Instead, this unique project represented a fusion of Eastern and Western studios, aiming to deliver an opulent remake of a treasured title with numerous gameplay adjustments. For instance, Snake would switch to first-person view during aiming, similar to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. This exclusive GameCube title has never left the system, so it holds many Nintendo secrets, such as the hidden Yoshi statues.

2. Metal Gear Acid 2

Shinta Nojiri Returns For A D-D-D-Duel

Shinta Nojiri came back to helm two of the most exhilarating installments in the series: Metal Gear Acid and Metal Gear Acid 2. These games offer tactical gameplay similar to grid-based strategy games such as Final Fantasy Tactics, but with card collection determining movement and actions. The original game had a more realistic visual style, whereas the second one was given a cel-shaded design to align with the quirkier narrative tone.

In a new twist, Snake found himself paired with another character, and the managers seemed almost mythical. For those who purchased Metal Gear Acid 2 on the PSP, a unique peripheral was provided to experience the game in 3D, predating the release of the 3DS. Although it had its flaws, the concept was intriguing. Regrettably, Metal Gear Acid 2 remains undervalued, lingering on the PSP platform.

1. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Kenji Saito And PlatinumGames Save The Day

Initially, the game “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance” originated as a spinoff project under Konami, spearheaded by a team assembled by Hideo Kojima. However, when the project encountered difficulties, an external party intervened. Eventually, Kenji Saito took charge of the game, and PlatinumGames, renowned for their expertise in action games, were commissioned by Konami to develop it. This resulted in Raiden’s character exhibiting a similar style to Bayonetta, wielding a katana instead of her signature guns.

The game moves swiftly and smoothly, while maintaining much of the original games’ enchanting qualities, making it a humorous and eccentric video game. With an exceptionally bulky senator resembling someone who’s ingested Hulk’s radiation, and Raiden donning a sombrero, the game’s quirky tone suggests Kojima’s involvement. Despite numerous hints, there’s still no sequel, leaving this cybernetic ninja in retirement. However, luckily, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance can be played on contemporary systems, unlike many other instalments from the series.

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2025-06-05 13:37