Pixel Sundays: Metal Gear – Evolution of Demon

Metal gear franchises have been with us for more than 38 years now. At that time, the original game was released for MSX2 under the direction of Hideo Kojima. Since then, the franchise has continued to develop, being one of the most influential stealth action franchises of all time. You can learn more about the entire metal gear franchise this week in our Pixel Sunday article.

Summary

Right from the first game, the focus is to avoid battle rather than finding confrontation. This approach was revolutionary at the time. Over the years, franchises continue to develop and become one of the most influential stealth action series ever, famous for its complex narrative, innovative gameplay mechanics, and cinematic presentations.

History of Metal Gear Development – From 2D Stealth to 3D Freedom

1987: Metal Gear – The Birth of the Stealth Concept

Everything began in 1987 with the first metal gear, which was released for MSX2. This game introduced a complete type of stealth gameplay at all at that time. Instead of blowing up the enemy hordes, you must sneak a solid snake through a military base. You need to avoid the camera, avoid alarm, and carefully manage resources such as ammunition and rations.

Hideo Kojima led the project and chose Stealth not to the will, but because of technical needs. MSX2 hardware is too weak to handle top-down action shooters. From this limit, he created something new: the game where hiding is the key to success.

1990: Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Next Evolution

Three years later, the sequel to metal gear 2: solid snake is released. That significantly increases many mechanics. The enemy now has a field of sight, reacts to sound, and patrolling along the specified route. The level design becomes much more complex, a more informative interface, and Snake gets new abilities such as crawling.

Because of its MSX2 exclusivity, Metal Gear 2 is ignored for a long time in the western market, but today is seen as a revolutionary. Many features that are now considered “classic” were introduced for the first time here.

1998: Metal Gear Solid – The Big Breakthrough

When Metal Gear Solid was launched on the original Playstation, this series became famous in the world. The idea that was previously presented in 2D was brought to the complete three -dimensional environment, where gameplay works better than before. You must sneak past the guards, use the sound of the environment, watch the corner of the camera, and produce a creative solution for problems.

Every new chapter in the game introduces new gameplay elements:

• Sound Playing an important role – things – things like creaking floor boards or footsteps in the snow can give you.

• Snakes can hide in a box, divert the attention of the enemy, or crawl through the ventilation axis.

• The camera switches between a fixed overhead display and cinematic pieces during cutscene – making gameplay both cinematic and tactical.

Main Title – Gameplay and Storytelling Milestone

The main entry of this series is clearly a solid metal gear game. Each main title brings significant innovations, both in the game, storytelling, or technical experiments. Hideo Kojima uses every new game to encourage boundaries, challenge conventions, and further develop his vision about interactive cinema. Because we have discussed the first main entry, let’s jump directly to the second.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)

The second game built on the first foundation and encourages further technical limits. Enemies are much smarter, react to traces of blood, sound, and friends who are lost. Its environment is very interactive – puddles, glass, and smoke have a real impact on gameplay.

The main story twist is that, after the prologue, the players took the control of a young soldier named Raiden, not a solid snake. It was a brave creative choice that made many fans angry at the time but now it is seen as a deliberate meta of control, hope, and identity.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)

The third game shifted the settings to the 1960s, introducing a completely new survival system. Snake must hunt animals, treat wounds, and use camouflage patterns to mingle with the environment. Medan is no longer static – nature itself is a challenge and tool.

Narratively, MGS3 looks back at the origin of the series, with a focus on Naked Snake (Big Boss), the genetic predecessor of the original snake-all wrapped in the story of the Cold War era spy that is tense with a strong emotional core.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)

Metal Gear Solid 4 brings stories to cinematic conclusions. This game introduces the “Octocamo” system – an adaptive camouflage setting that automatically matches the environment. Players navigate various Warz zones where Snake can allies with rebels or sneak through unknown.

This game has a strong focus on cutscene and even set a world record. The longest cutscene lasted more than an hour, getting a world record. Overall, the total length of the cutscene exceeds 8 hours.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)

The last main entry is radical departure from the past. Instead of a linear level design, Metal Gear Solid V displays a large open world area with a dynamic mission design. Time, weather, and equipment all affect mission planning. In the game, snake can be used for missions with helicopters, riding horses, or slower even using walking aids (a type of mechanism).

This game introduces a true approach -new new, offering many ways to complete the level. At the same time, players must build their mother’s base by recruiting enemies and using gathering resources.

Spin-offs and side titles

In addition to the main series game, there is also a spin-off. It offers a new interpretation of the Metal Gear series. Two prominent examples are Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013) and Metal Gear Survive (2018).

Metal Gear Rising: Revengerance (2013)

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is an action game developed by Platinumgames and published by Konami. It was released in February 2013 for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, and then ported to Windows and MacOS. In this game, you control Raiden, Ninja Cyborg that is armed with high frequency katana. The game is different from the title of traditional metal dental with its focus on a fast and stylish battle and a “blade mode” system that allows enemy slicing and the right objects.

Metal teeth survive (2018)

Metal Gear Survive is a survival action game developed and published by Konami. This was released in February 2018 for Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. This is the first game in the metal gear series that was developed without Hideo Kojima’s involvement. It is regulated in an alternative dimension where you fight the crystal zombie. In addition, you build base weapons and crafts using the resources collected. This game also features co-op play with up to four players.

Remake and Remasters – Classic Return

Over the years, the Metal Gear Solid series has received some remaster, interesting for new players and old fans. This re -release ranges from technical improvements to remakes full of modern graphics and gameplay.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 (2023)

In October 2023, Konami released Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the first three main titles of the series for modern platforms. This collection feature:

• Metal Gear Solid (PS1 version)
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (HD version)
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (HD version)

In addition, this collection offers bonus content such as digital scenarios, master books, and soundtracks. The game runs on the current console with an upgraded resolution and a more stable frame rate while most of the original gameplay experience.

Metal Gear Solid Δ: snake eaters (2025)

Another remake is Solid Metal Gear Δ: Snake Eater. This is a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. This is being developed by Konami with the support of the Virtuos studio, using Unreal Engine 5 for modernized graphics and audio.

This remake remains loyal to the original story but combines the new gameplay elements introduced in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. This includes enhanced controls, updated animations, and user interfaces that are re -worked. Original voice recording is maintained to maintain authenticity. This game will be released on August 28, 2025, for Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.

What will happen in the future?

The first is Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater that has been announced, launched later this year. But there’s more that will come. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is also in the horizon. Konami has confirmed that they are working on a collection, even though the details are rare. Many hope that it includes Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Peace Walker, and The Phantom Pain. However, Konami said that they learned from the challenges of the first collection and planned to take more time with the second, meaning we had to be patient.

CONCLUSION – Metal gear legacy

Metal Gear Solid never just a game. From the beginning, it was a statement that was born from needs. It tells the story of strength, control, identity, and ideology. What began as a small pixel game that developed into one of the biggest stealth franchises in the game world. Game characters and mechanics have influenced generations and form all game landscapes.

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