It’s impossible to think of the Metal Gear Solid series without David Hayter popping up front of mind. His performance as Solid Snake and later Naked Snake in Metal Gear Solid 3 won fans over with his gritty, instantly recognizable tone.

Last seen in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Hayter has revealed that a common element of the character that fans may not fully understand is Snake’s more sensitive side. Speaking on the Future Game Show YouTube channel, Hayter revealed he thought ‘Snake’s heart is most understood’.

“I think people focus on the fact that he’s a tough guy and that he’s a professional killer and he does all these things, but what really draws me to him and I think what subconsciously draws the audience to him is his inability to turn away from anybody who needs help,” he said. “So I think that’s really the key that makes him quite loveable”.

The 56-year-old was also asked what the best bit of direction he’s ever received was. “I worked so long with Kris Zimmerman Salter, who directed all the English language versions of Metal Gear, but my favourite bit of direction was ‘I want it a little Snakier’. And I’d be like, ‘I got it’ and I’d really dig into the Snake.”

Hayter revealed that the most weird line of dialogue he’s ever had to say wasn’t actually in Metal Gear…but it was as Snake. “In Super Smash Bros. where they were talking to me, they were describing to me my opponent, Jigglypuff, who gets around by farting and I had to say, ‘By farting?’”.

Meanwhile, the newly-released Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater has launched to positive reviews – and has already sold more than 1 million copies. Hayter has since revealed that he wishes he had more lines, claiming that he’s since become a better actor.

“I do feel that I’m a little better of an actor now than I was then,” the actor told Inverse. “It was fine back in the day, but I would have loved to bring some of the knowledge that I’ve picked up over the past 20 years to it.”