The iconic actor behind Metal Gear Solid protagonist Solid Snake, David Hayter, admits that they do not really understand the intricacies of Hideo Kojima’s long-running stealth series.
Metal Gear Solid sits alongside titles like Kingdom Hearts as a franchise infamous for its confusing stories. While the main plots are often digestible, many get confused by the background information and smaller parts of the narrative, including the voice that’s mostly behind its main character.
In an interview with Fall Damage, Hayter reveals that he doesn’t understand a lot of what happens in the MGS franchise. “Do I understand the story of Metal Gear Solid?” he says. “Uh, basically, I do. Do I understand all of it? Absolutely not.”
“There’s more detail to the story than you can ever possibly absorb, no matter how many times you play it.”
Metal Gear Solid actor David Hayter on why the series is beloved.
Hayter reveals that he “didn’t understand all of it while we were recording it”, explaining that he would often ask what the lines he was recording actually meant. During the development of the MGS franchise, Hideo Kojima had not become hyper-focused on live performance capture like with Death Stranding and the upcoming OD, which meant Hayter could not ask for assistance.
“I’d be like, ‘What does this mean?’” the voice actor recalls. “And they’d say, ‘just say it.” Hayter explains that the series’ complex lore and meandering scenes are “what makes Metal Gear, Metal Gear”, and its confusing narratives are often-times part of its charm.
“There’s more information,” he continues. “There’s more character development. There’s more detail to the story than you can ever possibly absorb, no matter how many times you play it. That’s what makes the world feel real and rich and lovable.”
Metal Gear’s story has been so confusing at times—mostly in its very bloated fourth entry—that it almost becomes a parody of itself. In fact, some have even made songs about the “simple plot of Metal Gear Solid”. But Hayter is right, that confusing, plot is essential to the feeling of MGS, and Hideo Kojima’s writing in general. (Looking at you, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach!)
As Konami finally jumps back into gaming proper with new Silent Hill games, the company is also training a new generation of developers to work on the Kojima-created series without the gaming auteur at the helm. Following the success of the studio’s Snake Eater remake, a long-awaited remaster of MGS 4: Guns of the Patriots is on the horizon.
Nevertheless, the future of Metal Gear Solid as it comes to new entries is unfortunately still up in their air. While Konami could continue down the remake train, fans are hungry for a brand-new entry, but will it be the same without the series’ iconic creator penning another script?
