Love him or not, Hideo Kojima's involvement in a project guarantees an unconventional experience. While some of his work may be intricate and protracted, at its best, it offers an unparalleled gaming experience. Kojima pioneered cinematic experiences in video games at a time when most studios adhered to conventional gaming formulas.
From revolutionizing stealth action to breaking the 4th wall to unsettle players, Kojima has redefined gaming. However, like any developer, some of his works surpass others. To truly comprehend why he is a trailblazer, one must explore the top games worked on by Hideo Kojima.
8 Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
Metascore: 82
- Platforms: PlayStation 2 (original), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (HD Collection), PlayStation 4, PC (MARS)
- Developer: Konami
- Release: February 2003
- Genre: Hack 'n slash
Zone Of the Enders, or Z.O.E for short, wasn't solely Kojima's creation. The story and mech concept originated from director Noriaki Okamura, and the Orbital Frame designs were crafted by Metal Gear designer Yoji Shinkawa. Nonetheless, Kojima played a pivotal role as the producer and contributed to the game's development. His enduring affection for the series is evident in his subsequent games, from MGS: The Twin Snakes to MGS5: The Phantom Pain. Despite this, neither he nor Murata could secure the green light for a third game before their departure.
7 Policenauts
GameFAQs Score: 4.5/5 Stars
- Platforms: 3DO, PC-9821, PlayStation, Sega Saturn
- Developer: Konami
- Release: September 1995
- Genre: Visual Novel
The 3DO's lack of long-term success provided Japanese developers, including Kojima, the opportunity to diversify, as evidenced by Policenauts. A spiritual successor to his earlier visual novel Snatcher, it deviated from its predecessor's narrative but remained part of the Metal Gear timeline.
The game followed former Policenauts Jonathan and Ed as they delved into a murder investigation uncovering a conspiracy within the Beyond Coast space colony. Intertwining dialogue, point & click segments, vehicular sequences, and brain-teasing bomb-defusing tasks injected pace and variety. Although the game never received an official Western release, enthusiasts can now access an English translation patch for the ROMs.
6 Boktai: The Sun is In Your Hand
Metascore: 83
- Platform: Game Boy Advance.
- Developer: Konami.
- Release: September 2003.
- Genre: Action RPG.
Developers often strive to maximize a system's capabilities, a challenging task depending on the hardware. However, Kojima and his team ingeniously leveraged the Game Boy Advance's limitations. The original model's absence of a backlit screen necessitated players to sit under lamps or in direct sunlight to discern the screen clearly.
Boktai: The Sun is In Your Hand utilized the cartridge's light sensor, enabling the protagonist Django to power up his Solar Gun, providing more ammunition to combat dark, vampire-like creatures known as Immortals. Daytime gameplay encouraged aggressive tactics, while nighttime demanded strategic thinking to optimize solar charges, incorporating a novel 4th wall breaking element into gameplay.
5 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Metascore: 96 (Original), 87 (Substance Re-release)
The narrative surrounding Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is as captivating as the game's own storyline. Upon release, it faced substantial criticism for its intricate plot, extensive cutscenes, and deceptive marketing. The promotional material misled players to anticipate another mission with Snake, only to spend the majority of the game as the new protagonist, Raiden. While some of these critiques remain valid, the game's prescient exploration of identity, societal control, and the internet's influence on society was ahead of its time in 2001. Additionally, Raiden's evolution from a derided character to a meta-representation of the player added depth to the game.
Similarly, he transformed into a formidable cyber ninja in Metal Gear Solid 4 and Metal Gear Rising, resonating with players who, like Raiden, adhere to the developers' vision to experience the game as a super soldier.
4 Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
GameFAQs Score: 4/5 Stars
MGS2 incorporated elements from Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, wherein the Patriots intentionally orchestrated the Big Shell Incident to mirror Metal Gear Solid 1's events. The PS1 classic drew inspiration from its predecessor, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Kojima's transition from a run 'n gun concept to Metal Gear's stealth gameplay occurred due to the MSX's constraints. With the expanded memory of the MSX2, he established the series' hallmark narrative twists, anti-heroic characters, 4th wall breaks, and whimsical sequences, captivating Metal Gear enthusiasts across generations.
3 Snatcher
GameFAQs Score: 4.5/5 Stars
Western audiences only gained access to MG2 in 2006 through Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence. Prior to MGS1, Kojima's presence outside Japan was limited. The NES port of MG1, which didn't directly involve Kojima, and Snatcher, his inaugural visual novel game, constituted the extent of his works accessible to Western audiences. Among its multiple ports, only the Sega CD version received an English release.
Initially conceived by Konami as a game akin to Lethal Enforcers, Snatcher's grid-based shooting segments aligned with the concept. However, it predominantly mirrored the investigative aspects of Ace Attorney, as players accompanied Gillian Seed and his robotic companion Metal Gear in unraveling the enigma of the lethal robots. Despite its technical limitations compared to Policenauts, Snatcher narrated a compelling story, resonating with the emotional and comedic essence of Kojima's finest creations.
2 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metascore: 91 (original release), 94 (Subsistence re-release)
For those inclined towards tactical espionage action rather than point-and-click gameplay, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is a superlative choice. Regarded as one of the premier video game prequels, it elucidates the transformation of the original Naked Snake into Big Boss, catalyzed by betrayal, conspiracy, and a cataclysmic superweapon.
While some aspects are slightly cumbersome, such as the repeated returns to the Start screen to alter camouflages and weapons, the camouflage feature introduced a new dimension to stealth, the boss battles exhibited greater ingenuity, and their designs were even more eccentric (including a character who controls bees!). The plot evoked profound emotions, culminating in the zenith of Metal Gear's multifaceted success.
1 Metal Gear Solid
Metascore: 94
Why does MGS3 play second fiddle to its PS1 predecessor, Metal Gear Solid? In hindsight, it almost resembles a reimagining of MG2, albeit with a few distinctions (including Meryl from Policenauts!). While the gameplay endures, players accustomed to the first-person shooting and close quarters combat of subsequent installments may find it challenging to adjust to its simpler, auto-aim configuration. Nonetheless, it claims the top spot as it served as the introduction to Kojima for many, propelling him to the forefront of game development and solidifying Solid Snake as a gaming icon.
While Japanese enthusiasts had greater access to his work, his games remained niche. MGS1 amalgamated the finest elements of MG2, introduced its own innovations such as the iconic Psycho Mantis boss fight, and enveloped them in a captivating plot that captivated audiences without the protracted nature of MGS2 and MGS4. It galvanized enthusiasm for subsequent installments, catapulted Solid Snake to gaming stardom, and established Kojima as one of the most prominent game developers globally.