There is a lot I’ve learned about video games and, more specifically, remakes and remasters, over the years. I’ve learned that more and more developers are paving the way for older experiences that are reimagined to better serve those who were a part of the golden age of gaming. When was that exactly? Well, this is only my opinion, but I believe video games were at their best in the 15 years between 1998 and 2013. Of course, various incredible experiences have emerged after 2013, with a good majority of them being what many would consider to be the greatest games of all time. However, during that time, we got Silent Hill 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3. After that time, we got their remakes.
Silent Hill 2‘s remake gave Bloober Team the chance to convey a popular and dialogue-heavy narrative for more modern audiences, many whom might not have ever played a Silent Hill game before. The game was an immediate hit, and somehow managed to make the original seem far more sinister and narratively stunning than previously thought. However, all of that might and muscle poured into the game might have put future remakes and remasters on a bit too high of a pedestal. No, that isn’t to say that remakes and remasters that came after it were garbage, but I’d like to think I’m not alone in saying that Silent Hill 2 had much more personality and cultural relevance than a lot of games. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that even features like combat and exploring were almost reinvented to fit the game. It arguably had a lot to lose as well, making the care put into the remake even more rewarding.
So, I’d like to think that there was also a lot riding on the remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 Delta. Well, it isn’t so much a remake as much as it is a complete graphical overhaul using the same voice acting and sound effects from the original game. Having played through as much as I have now since the Deluxe Edition was launched, I can’t help but compare it to the comfort in knowing that a franchise’s future is likely to be in good hands. For those who are not in the know, Metal Gear Solid is very much Hideo Kojima’s baby, with the fifth installment being his last project with Konami before being unceremoniously fired, leading him to start Kojima Productions. Sure, the rest is history concerning his achievements in the gaming space, but there was a time when many people thought he could do no better than Metal Gear Solid. Actually, if I recall correctly, since I was working in video game retail at the time, many believed that Konami itself wouldn’t be able to produce anything legendary without Kojima on their team.
While the launch of Delta is a bit bittersweet without Kojima being there to celebrate it, Konami ensured that his spirit was very much in the game, over 20 years later, crediting not only him but just about everyone else who worked on the original. Not to beat a dead horse, but again, I can’t help but compare it to the dedication Bloober Team presented with Silent Hill 2. The narrative for all Metal Gear Solid games is rather compacted and specific to its world. I’d wager that many people would love to play the series but don’t for fear of it being too overly-complicated. I’ve heard similar rumblings concerning those interested in playing through the Kingdom Hearts games. After the release of the fifth installment, The Phantom Pain, on modern consoles, there was a revitalized love for the franchise, similar to when Guns of the Patriots launched on the PS3. However, as an observer, I believe that The Phantom Pain was too niche and didn’t bring as many new players, as the franchise was already well-established, and there was more of a focus on the gravity of what the game represented in Kojima’s career than all else.
I’d like to think that Konami realized this, which helped make everything that Metal Gear Solid 3 Delta offers feel brand new all over again. It doesn’t feel like a dated game, and it certainly doesn’t feel like I’m listening to voice acting that is over 20 years old. With this game now out and available to the world, I can’t help but believe that more is being done to honor legends without doing anything to alter or break them. They’re great as they are; all we can do is make them more memorable.
